Nutrition experts encourage caution with supplements due to potential risks like side effects, interaction with medication and taking them instead of a balanced diet. This leads to nutrition deficiencies or increased toxic levels.
Furthermore, if supplements are taken with medication, their effectiveness is reduced or adverse effects may trigger. Few supplements cause side effects, especially when taken in high dosage or by individuals with medical conditions.
Growing Popularity of Dietary Supplements
Recently, dietary supplements have become a staple in the wellness routine of millions of American people. From multivitamins and probiotics to herbal extracts and protein powders, the U.S. supplement market has reached over $500 billion in annual sales.
The growing interest in self-care, health, and disease prevention fueled this trend, especially among younger generations and the ageing population. Therefore, many people prefer supplements, hoping for quick fixes or added benefits without understanding the science behind them.
While some supplements can be beneficial, especially in cases of nutrient deficiencies, the frequent use raised concern among health professionals. As more consumers self-prescribe and mix products without professional advice, nutrition experts stress the importance of informed, cautious use.
Supplements vs Medications
Supplements are intended to complement the diet and provide nutrients and are regulated as foods. On the other hand, medications designed to treat or prevent diseases are regulated as drugs, requiring FDA approval. Medicines also need clinical trials before they are launched in the market. The key differences are:
1. Purpose and Intended Use
- Supplements: They are created to complement the diet and provide a concentrated source of nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, fatty acids, fibres, amino acids, and more. It is required to deliver the right amount of nutritional or physiological benefits.
- Medications: Medicines are designed to treat or cure diseases or conditions through pharmaceutical, immunological or metabolic actions.
2. FDA Regulation
- Supplements: Supplements are not subjected to the same level of FDA pre-market approval. Manufacturers are responsible for ensuring their products are safe and label claims are true and not misleading.
- Medications: Medicines must undergo rigorous clinical trials and obtain proper approval from the FDA before being marketed to demonstrate safety and efficiency.
3. Claims on Labels
- Supplements: Supplements can make general health-related claims, such as promoting health or supporting body parts or functions. But they cannot claim to treat, diagnose, prevent or cure diseases. In the USA, the claims must be followed by the statement, “This product has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration”.
- Medications: Medicine companies are obliged to make claims about treating, curing, or preventing a specific disease or condition.
4. Safety and Efficacy
- Supplements: The FDA regulates supplements after they are launched on the market. Thus, the burden of proving a supplement as unsafe relies on the FDA.
- Medications: The FDA thoroughly tests the medicines for the safety of the well-being of people before they are marketed.
Common Misconceptions About Supplement Safety
Many people believe that supplements are inherently safe and effective because they are natural, but this is a misconception. The supplements are not tightly regulated, and some interfere with the actions of medications. Supplements are also found to be unsafe if taken in high dosages. Some misconceptions associated with supplements are:
- “Natural” Means Safe: It is considered a myth, if it is said that supplements are natural, they are automatically safe and effective. In reality, nature doesn’t indicate safety or efficacy. Natural substances in supplements can be harmful in certain doses or negatively impact the actions of medications.
- Supplements Are Tightly Regulated: It is a myth that supplements undergo rigorous testing and regulation like prescription drugs. However, reality says that dietary supplements are not subjected to the same level of scrutiny by the FDA. According to the American Cancer Society, the FDA doesn’t require manufacturers to prove the safety and effectiveness of supplements before they are sold.
- Supplements Don’t Interact with Medications: Some people say that supplements are safe to take alongside medications without any interaction. But this is a false statement. In reality, supplements can interact with medicines. Interaction with medication reduces their effectiveness or causes side effects. For example, certain supplements can interfere with blood thinners or other medications, according to the American Cancer Society.
Potential Risks
While some dietary supplements are safe, few can pose risks, including side effects, drug interaction, and harm due to overdose or misuse. Thus, it is important to take advice from a proper health expert and be aware of adverse reactions. The risks are:
- General Side Effects: Supplements can cause various side effects like nausea, vomiting, headaches, constipation, and excessive sleepiness.
- Severe Reactions: In some cases, supplements can lead to more adverse reactions such as rashes, shortness of breath, or even life-threatening events. For example, excessive intake of vitamin A causes headaches, liver damage, reduced bone strength and congenital disabilities. Excess iron leads to vomiting, nausea and liver damage. Large doses of vitamin B6 damage the nervous system.
- Interaction with Drugs: Interaction with medications makes them less effective. For example, antioxidants like vitamins C and E reduce the effectiveness of chemotherapy medicines. Vitamin K can make blood thinner warfarin less effective and increase the risk of blood clotting.
- Contamination: Some supplements can be contaminated with harmful substances or contain ingredients that are not listed on the label.
- Misleading Claims: Some supplements make unsubstantiated claims about their benefits, which leads to a waste of time and money. Thus, these misleading claims delay effective treatments.
Expert Advice on Supplement Use
Before starting any supplement use, consult a healthcare professional to ensure their safety and effectiveness based on daily needs and health conditions. Here are some expert tips:
- Consult a Healthcare Professional: A personalized doctor is a registered dietitian or pharmacist who assesses specific needs and recommends the right supplement. They generally advise on the potential interaction between drugs and supplements. Professionals also determine if supplements are safe and appropriate for a specific health condition.
- PrioritizePrioritizePrioritize a Balanced Diet: Supplements only enhance a healthy diet but do not replace it. Focus more on nutrient-rich foods for overall health and well-being.
- Be Informed and Critical: Read the labels carefully to understand the ingredients, dosages and potential side effects. Avoid products that make misleading claims or sound too good to be true. Select supplements from reputable brands, not unknown online companies.
- Specific Considerations: Pregnant women must consult a healthcare professional before starting to take any supplements. Discuss supplement use with a paediatrician before giving supplements to children.
Conclusion
While dietary supplements can offer health benefits, they are not a one-size-fits-all solution. Unlike medications, supplements are not strictly regulated by the FDA, and their misuse can lead to serious health risks.
Thus, nutrition experts urge consumers to approach supplements with caution. Always consult a healthcare professional before starting any supplements, and focus on a balanced diet to support overall well-being safely.
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