To what extent are dietary supplements safe and do they really work?



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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.

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Experts claim that this type of experiment, like that experienced by McCants, is "extremely unusual".

In the United Kingdom supplements are subject to regulations. its safety as well as the health claims made by the manufacturers of these products.

Approved supplements sold in respected companies are almost always safe, provided that But we should not badume that dietary supplements do not have the potential to cause harm, says Dr. Wayne Carter of the & # 39; 39, University of Nottingham, England.

you take supplements in amounts greater than the recommended doses, there will be risks.

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

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

its risks. "

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  Jim McCants

Jim McCants needed a liver transplant after consuming green tea. [19659] 659017] There is also a potential risk of taking multiple supplements at the same time, says Dr. Carter.

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

Some of us may be less able to metabolize certain substances effectively, which may also affect how they affect us.

"The warning with the consumption of a supplement is that it can be safe for a large population, but not at all," adds the expert.

But if these are the potential risks, what are the benefits to

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For Children

There are some widely recognized supplements by experts who can benefit the entire population.

United Kingdom Health Services of the United Kingdom recommends that women who are planning to have a baby and those who are already pregnant take a folic acid supplement for up to 12 weeks .

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

The rest of the pregnancy. The public is advised to consider consuming a vitamin D supplement.

  A Diet

Most people can get all the vitamins and minerals they need with a balanced diet.

Lack of vitamin D, which comes mainly 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 Jac Obs, a specialist in pediatrics at the Roya National Orthopedic Hospital, says: "100 years ago, most children in London had rickets, which was practically abolished with the practice of giving to 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 only found naturally in foods of animal origin.

However, with many other supplements, the evidence is less clear if there is any benefit to most people.

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

The benefits of fish oil pills, a supplement linked to a wide variety of purported benefits, ranging from improving cardiovascular health to increased brain function, are not conclusive either.

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  Vitamin D

Vitamin D supplements are recommended for people who do not get enough sun.

A recent review of clinical trials found that oil pills were well known. Fish does not protect the heart.

Sam Jennings, director of Berry Ottaway & Associates Ltd, a consulting firm working with supplement manufacturers, says that nutrition is "an ever-evolving science still new data is being". to emerge. "

He adds:" What has become evident is that with supplements, the benefits will not always be obvious to everyone, as this will depend on the training of the student. " Individual and benefits that it is possible to obtain by consuming an additional nutrient. "

Dr. Carter states that, according to him, before taking a supplement, people see what type Scientific evidence Supports its supposed benefits and reviews warnings about the compound.

  Gray line of presentation

Tips for taking supplements

  • Buy them from reputable suppliers because they must have pbaded with the strict security guarantee.
  • were tested in clinical trials with 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.

Source: Dr. Wayne Carter, University of Nottingham


  BBC World


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