Self care is very important, especially in the fast-paced 21st century, where every day routines are hectic than ever. Most people have adopted healthy lifestyles by incorporating healthy habits into their routines. While most people work out regularly, hydrate by drinking the required amount of water every day, and eat healthy meals, some still see the need for nutritional supplements as an addition to the package. Supplements become a secondary plan to boost all the healthy choices made.
However, nutritional supplements are not inspected by the FDA, and many people might not be aware of what they are consuming. With the supplement sector significantly unregulated, many products make it to the market without proper safety measures being taken. According to Everyday Health, you may find that most of the products have unwanted side effects such as cancer, cardiac arrest, organ damage, death, among others.
You might be tempted to think that these side effects are caused by low-quality supplements sold online. However, the reality is they are present in all products everywhere, from Costco and Walmart to CVS and even Whole Foods. Ensure that you read the ingredients before buying any product. Some of those that are worth avoiding include; aconite, chaparral, caffeine powder, coltsfoot, germander, comfrey, great celandine, kava, green tea extract powder, lobelia, pennyroyal oil, methylsynephrine, usnic acid, red yeast rice, and Yohimbe
Supplement ingredients that could cause cancer
There are several ingredients used to make supplements, and many are known to have mild adverse effects on the consumer. It is recommended that you research the ingredients listed on a supplement before deciding to use it regularly. The main worrying side effects are death and cancer. It is understandable for cancer patients to try out new supplements. However, some ingredients may be toxic and could cause more harm.
An example is of a supplement ingredient is chaparral, which is also known as greasewood, larrea tridentate, larrea dicaricata, larreastat, and creosote bush. It has been used for a long time as homeopathic and medina treatment for several conditions, including arthritis, cancer, and skin problems. However, it is toxic to the body, specifically the liver, and has been found unhealthy for consumption in several nations. Unfortunately, it is allowed in the US thanks to the nutritional supplement industry history of lax regulations.
Another relatively common ingredient in supplements is comfrey, also known as slippery root, bruisewort, symphytum officinale, and blackwort. While this plant has been used for centuries to treat burns, bruises, joint inflammation, and muscle pains, study has shown that the plant is not safe to ingest and can cause cancer, severe damage to the liver, and death.
Sneaky supplement ingredients that could kill you
Sometimes it is the most familiar ingredients in nutritional supplements that can cause adverse effects on your body. An example is caffeine, which may not sound scarier than your normal morning coffee. However, caffeine is a common ingredient used in supplement products designed to enhance athletic performance and weight reduction. These products increase the risk of several conditions such as cardiac arrest, heart arrhythmia, seizures, and even death, especially when caffeine is mixed with other stimulants.
Likewise, you may be quick to overlook the side effects of green tea extract powder present in many supplements. After all, what possible adverse effects could green tea extract powder have? However, the reality is that the ingredient, which is used in most weight loss products, has several side effects, including; liver damage, decreased efficacy of some prescription medication, increased blood pressure, poor iron absorption, and even death.
It is essential to understand that not every gradient in supplements is good for you. For this reason, ensure that your physician is looped into what you are planning to take and consult them before adding any new products to your regimen. This will ensure that the products you are taking are safe for you and fulfill the purpose intended.
