What’s In Your Herbal Supplements?
September 16, 2009 by blackgirlgrown
Filed under health and wellness
Hopefully more than ground up cumin and not toxic. The Wall Street Journal recently reported on the concerns of regulators and physicians about dangerous ingredients in herbal remedies.
…dietary supplements have long raised safety worries, with high-profile examples including ephedra, the herbal weight-loss treatment pulled from the U.S. market in 2004 after it was tied to heart problems and strokes. Some doctors continue to be concerned about evidence of side effects from such herbal ingredients, including research highlighting possible concerns about kava and comfrey. And the issue is drawing new attention after recent reports from the Food and Drug Administration about allegedly natural supplements illegally containing performance-enhancing drugs and undeclared pharmaceuticals.
The Wall Street Journal goes on to report,
Since last December, the FDA has issued warnings about more than 70 weight-loss supplements that included potentially dangerous ingredients. The ingredients included prescription drugs, and the agency said the side effects could include seizure, heart attack and stroke. In July, the FDA warned consumers to avoid bodybuilding supplements that claimed to contain steroid-like ingredients, but actually included steroids. The agency, which issued a general warning but also named some specific brand names, said it had received reports of men with serious liver injuries, stroke, kidney failure and pulmonary embolism potentially linked to such products.
Bottom Line: You need to be your own advocate.
The Mayo Clinic notes that new rules regulating herbal supplements and provides tips for consumers on:
- How to choose an herbal supplement?
- Who shouldn’t use herbal supplements?
- How to discuss herbal supplements with your doctor
I think herbal supplements definitely have a safe aura about them.
They’ve been used for thousands of years, they’re all natural, and they are marketed with many benefits.
But what was safe thousands of years ago, may not be safe now. The main reason is because of the other medication or supplements people are taking.
For the most part, a healthy individual will probably not experience any side effects from herbal supplements. But ask yourself, what kind of people are looking for herbal supplements…? Sometimes is unhealthy people. And some of these individuals may be on medication or other prescribed drugs.
This can be a big concern when mixing herbs and prescribed pharmaceuticals. This is why certain doctors have raised alarm bells concerning some herbal supplements.
If you have a pre medical condition or are taking other supplements, always consult your doctor before taking herbal supplements.