Enhancing The Mind And Body With Dietary Supplements

Dietary supplements were created to provide essential vitamins and minerals to people who do not receive these nutrients through food. A supplement may contain a single nutrient, like a vitamin E capsule, or a collection of nutrients similar to those found in prenatal vitamins. Supplements are available in various forms, including pills, capsules, powders, gummies, and liquids.

The health benefits of supplements

Researchers have created two metrics, recommended dietary allowances (RDA) and estimated average requirements (EAR), as benchmarks for the daily number of vitamins a person should consume. Food is the primary source of nutrition for all human beings. However, many people do not have a well-balanced diet filled with nutritional foods. Therefore, dietary supplements are necessary to deliver these nutrients to patients, especially those at risk for certain diseases and medical conditions.

Supplement manufacturing and regulation

Enacted in 1994, the Dietary Supplement Health & Education Act affords the government some regulation over the manufacturing and marketing of dietary supplements. Manufacturers must adhere to the Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) set forth by the administration. However, these regulations are lax, and manufacturers can market supplements without providing proof of efficacy to the government.

Are there any supplement side effects?

Dietary supplements are classified as foods with dietary ingredients ranging from herbs and amino acids to live microbials. Many supplements contain active ingredients that can negatively interact with other medications. Patients should take precautions before trying a dietary supplement. Researching the product and active ingredients is a good way to learn about potential side effects.

3 common dietary supplement side effects

1. Vitamin overdosing

It is possible to take too much of a dietary supplement and suffer from adverse side effects. Vitamin overdosing occurs when patients consume unusually high doses of a supplement. These side effects can be nausea, vomiting, headaches, and difficulty concentrating. Some people may even experience nerve damage and gastrointestinal issues. People should check product labeling for the RDA and only take the recommended dosage.

2. Supplements can negatively interfere with anesthesia

Before any type of surgery, doctors ask patients for a list of medications, and any supplements used should be on this list. Some of these supplements, like garlic, St. John’s wort, and ginkgo, can increase bleeding during surgery, delay anesthesia effects, create spikes in blood pressure, cause medication interference, and lead to heart issues.

3. Combining prescription medication with supplements may cause health issues

Some prescription medications are less potent when combined with supplements. These supplements can affect metabolism, changing the way the body processes and expels medication. Some supplements, like vitamin E, are blood thinners and may cause a stroke when combined with other blood thinning medications.

Talk to a specialist

Patients with questions regarding dietary supplements and negative side effects should speak to a health professional. Patients should also consult with a physician before taking any dietary supplement. A professional can help patients understand how to safely integrate supplements into a daily routine.