How safe are dietary supplements

The story of Jim McCants, a man who ultimately needed a liver transplant after consuming green tea capsules, raised new questions about dietary supplements.

What are their risks and health benefits? 19659002] When Jim McCants started taking green tea tablets, he thought they would have a beneficial effect on his health.

Instead, the compounds apparently caused severe liver damage and required an emergency transplant.

Experts believe that this type of experience, like that experienced by McCants, is "extremely unusual".

In the United Kingdom, supplements are subject to safety regulations and health claims.

Approved supplements sold in respected companies are almost always safe, provided that manufacturers' instructions are followed, affirm the

But we should not badume that dietary supplements do not have the potential to cause harm, indicates Dr. Wayne Carter, University of Nottingham, England.

If you take supplements in larger amounts at recommended levels, there will be risks.

Although in many cases the excess of a supplement may be excreted, it is possible that it is toxic, especially to the liver, the organ responsible for it. 39, eliminating the toxicity of the substances we consume.

"I think sometimes the idea that people are getting is" it's good for me, so if I take it more, it'll be even better, "says Dr. Carter.

"This entails risks. "[19659013] There is also a potential risk of simultaneous intake of several supplements at the same time," Dr. Carter explains.

Sometimes they can interact with each other, so that a supplement can strengthen the effects of another, and in others, it may These may contain one or more nutrients of the same type, which can eventually lead to excessive levels.

Some of we may be less able to metabolize certain substances effectively, which may also affect the "19659002". The warning with the consumption of a supplement is that this may be safe for a large population, but not for all "adds the expert.

But if these are the potential risks, what are the health benefits?

For Children

There are some supplements widely recognized by experts that may be of benefit to the entire population.

United Nations Health Services (NHS). The UK recommends to women who are considering having a baby and to those who are already pregnant to take a folic acid supplement until 12 weeks of pregnancy in order to avoid birth defects. conbad diseases in women. babies.

Vitamin D supplements are also recommended for infants, children 1-4 years of age, and those who are not exposed to the sun.

It is advisable for the rest of the population to consider the use of a supplement. vitamin D.

The lack of vitamin D, which we mainly get from the sun, can lead to bone deformities, such as rickets in children, and bone pain caused by a disorder called osteomalacia in adults. .

Dr. Benjamin Jacobs, pediatric specialist at the Roya National Orthopedic Hospital, said, "100 years ago, most London children suffered from rickets, which was practically abolished with practice. to give children a vitamin supplement. "

A vitamin K injection is also usually given to infants during the first 24 hours of their life to prevent a rare but serious blood disorder.

Evolving Science

Dr. Jacobs says supplements are also important for people with restricted diets or allergies.

Experts claim that vegans might need a vitamin B12 supplement because it is found naturally only in foods of animal origin.

However, with many other supplements it is less obvious to know if it is advantageous for most people.

Most NHS people do not need to take any other vitamin supplements and you can get all the vitamins and minerals you need, with the exception of the vitamin D, with a balanced diet.

The use of fish oil pills, a supplement related to a wide variety of presumed benefits, ranging from improving cardiovascular health to improving brain function, is also not conclusive.

A recent study of clinical trials revealed that

Sam Jennings, director of Berry Ottaway & Associates Ltd, a consulting company that works with supplement manufacturers, says that nutrition is "has a ever-changing science new data is still appearing. "

He adds:" What was clearly explained, that is that with the supplements, the benefits will not always be obvious to everyone because it will depend on the individual's own training and the benefits that can be gained from the consumption of an additional nutrient. "

Mr. Carter states that his advice is as follows: Before taking a supplement, people see the type of scientific evidence to support their supposed benefits and verify the presence of warnings about the compound.

Tips for taking supplements

• Buy them from reputable suppliers because they had to provide strict guarantees
• Check if they have been tested in clinical trials on a population similar to yours ( age, bad, etc.). comparable).
• Review the warnings. For example, people with heart problems should check if the supplement is not toxic to the heart.
• Be careful when taking multiple supplements at the same time.
• Take only the recommended doses.