Dietary supplements are more than just vitamins and minerals. Dietary supplements consist of “herbals, botanicals, amino acids, and enzymes.” These supplements can come in the forms of “tablets, capsules, powders, energy bars, or drinks.” Most people turn to supplements because they do not consume the required nutrients from the foods they eat. “However, dietary supplements are not intended to treat, diagnose, mitigate, prevent, or cure diseases; therefore, manufacturers may not make such claims. In some cases, dietary supplements may have unwanted effects, especially if taken before surgery or with other dietary supplements or medicines, or if you have certain health conditions.”
"Certain active ingredients can have adverse outcomes on the body and combining these supplements with prescribed medicines could cause harmful effects, and in the worst case scenario, death. One must understand that consultation with a healthcare provider is very essential to using supplements for treatment. Listed below are examples of interactions that may occur between dietary supplements and medications:
Calcium and heart medicine (e.g., Digoxin), thiazide diuretics (Thiazide), and aluminum and magnesium-containing antacids.
Magnesium and thiazide and loop diuretics (e.g., Lasix®, etc.), some cancer drugs (e.g., Cisplatin, etc.), and magnesium-containing antacids.
Vitamin K and a blood thinner (e.g., Coumadin).
St. John's Wort and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) drugs (i.e., anti-depressant drugs and birth control pills).
The FDA has not approved some of stated therapeutic effects stated with the use of some dietary supplements. “It is the responsibility of dietary supplement manufacturers/distributors to ensure that their products are safe and that their label claims are accurate and truthful. When a product makes it to the public, the FDA has the authority to take action on any dietary supplement product that presents a significant or unreasonable risk of illness or injury.”
Source: Office of Dietary Supplements
National Institutes of Health
Bethesda, Maryland 20892 USA
Web: http://ods.od.nih.gov
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Honestly, if it wasn't for taking pharmacology I wouldn't have thought of the adverse affects of taking dietary supplements with other medications to be harmful. This post would help more consumers be knowledgeable of the circumstances of taking dietary supplements.
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