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In the United States, women of childbearing age are advised to avoid taking a synthetic ingredient called vinpocetine, usually sold as "memory enhancing" supplements.
A statement released earlier this week on the US Food and Drug Administration's website warns consumers against the supplement that they may put their unborn child at risk.
Citing a recent report from the National Institute of Health and the National Toxicology Program containing evidence of toxicity of vinpocetine in animal studies, the FDA fears that the supplement will cause spontaneous miscarriages.
"That's why today we advise pregnant women and pregnant women not to take vinpocetine," the statement said.
"We also advise companies marketing dietary supplements containing vinpocetine to evaluate their labeling to ensure that it contains safety warnings against use by pregnant women and children." women likely to become pregnant. "
Caution comes as the FDA continues to crack down on the food supplement industry, accused of selling products that do not do what they claim, and sometimes contain hidden surprises that put our health at risk.
Legally, a dietary supplement contains dietary ingredients, such as vitamins, minerals, amino acids or substances extracted from what we could eat.
Since vinpocetine is a synthetic derivative of a chemical found in extracts of small periwinkles, it goes beyond the limits of the definition. That's one of the reasons why the FDA refuses to call it a dietary ingredient at the moment.
Nevertheless, this does not prevent people from buying the compound under the impression that it stimulates memory and can potentially help prevent stroke and prevent the onset of dementia by increasing blood flow to the brain. In countries such as Germany and Russia, these features make this compound a prescription only medicine.
No matter what it is a medication or supplement, it is essential that consumers know what they put in their body.
Unfortunately, this is not necessarily the case.
A study conducted in 2015 on 23 reported vinpocetine supplements has shown extremely variable levels, ranging from nothing to 32 milligrams per suggested daily dose.
The prescribed doses tend to vary from 5 to 40 milligrams. This might not give the impression that the pills are particularly toxic, but the lack of information leaves room for unnecessary risks.
Inaccurate labeling becomes a serious concern in the light of investigations suggesting a risk of serious harm.
The report mentioned by the FDA describes evaluations conducted on groups of female rats and rabbits engraved according to which the doses of the supplement could be responsible for a fetal weight loss and an increased risk of miscarriage. .
Of course, rats and rabbits are not people. In the absence of clear evidence of a similar negative effect in a human population, we can only leave our own conclusions.
The FDA does not expect further studies before acting.
"The blood levels of vinpocetine measured in pregnant animals were similar to those observed in individuals taking a single dose of vinpocetine, indicating that pregnant women may experience similar adverse effects to those seen in pregnant animals," explains Dr. # 39; administration.
Further research is always welcome. None of this should imply that vinpocetine has no place in our medical arsenal. This means, however, that companies that market supplements have a responsibility to provide consumers with clear information, describing the risks and providing specific details about the ingredients.
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