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Benefits and Risks of Vitamins, Supplements and Herbs - Part Two

Do the Benefits of Supplements and Herbal Remedies Outweigh Their Risks?

One of the reasons supplements and herbal remedies work is that they contain active ingredients that, in some instances, can be quite powerful. However, because of their ability to affect the body in different ways, care must sometimes be taken when using these substances.

This article will list some of the most common supplements and herbal remedies along with their potential benefits, some of which are widely accepted, such as the ability of St. Johns Wort to treat depression or ginseng’s effects on the immune system. Other listed benefits are not necessarily proven or are still the subject of scientific study.

I will also list known adverse reactions, contraindications (when the supplement or herb should not be taken) and possible drug interactions.

Most people don’t tell their doctors when they are taking supplements or herbs. Sometimes they take them instead of prescribed medications.

Always let your physician(s) know when you are taking these substances, especially if you have chronic diseases or are taking prescribed medications.

Do not ignore medical advice or take these substances in lieu of medicines prescribed by your doctor.

Not all supplements or herbs are listed here. As new information becomes available, I will update this list.

Please note that most experts now recommend against taking Vitamin E in its most common form, d-alpha tocopherol, as they now believe it contributes to, rather than decreases, the risk of heart disease.

A recent European study claims that all supplements should be avoided - that they either do no good or actually harm those who take them. This study has received little publicity in the US.

At this point, it is hard to tell if it has any validity - remember countless panics about all sorts of substances from Alar to breast implants to DDT that have proven to have been based on false science or the greed of special interest groups.

There is much evidence that many of these supplements, especially herbal remedies, have been effective over the course of centuries.

For more information read part one of Benefits and Risks of Vitamins, Supplements and Herbs.

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The Benefits & Risks of Kava Kava

Potential Benefits: Eases symptoms of anxiety, restlessness and nervous tension; promotes relaxation; aids sleep; balances mood; restores vigor; eases symptoms of depression and menopause (hot flashes); acts as an analgesic, headache remedy, and mild sedative; eases uterine inflammation, colds, rheumatism; promotes urination; soothes upset stomachs; eases symptoms of asthma and tuberculosis; cures fungal infections; inhibits gonorrhea; soothes stings and skin inflammations.

Known Adverse Effects: Can result in temporary skin and liver problems, allergic reactions, gastrointestinal discomfort, absence of urination, numbness of the mouth, painful twisting movements of the trunk, disturbances of the oculomotor equilibrium, and can disturb motor reflexes and judgment when driving.

Known Contraindications: Not appropriate for individuals with major anxiety conditions. Should not be used while driving. May worsen symptoms of Parkinson's. Use in endogenous depression should be avoided. Should not be used for more than 3 months. Should not be used if gall bladder or liver problems, including cirrhosis and hepatitis.

Known Drug Interactions: Should not be taken with alcohol or anti-anxiety drugs such as valium. May have additive effects with other muscle relaxants, sedatives, anti-anxiety agents, andanti-depressants. Should not be taken with anti-depressant or anti-psychotic drugs.

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The Benefits & Risks of Melatonin

Potential Benefits: Promotes sleep, reduces symptoms of jet-lag, slows aging process, increases sex hormone secretion, acts as antioxidant, relieves tinnitus, may inhibit growth of breast cancer cells.

Known Adverse Effects: May cause infertility, hypothermia, and retinal damage; reduces sex drive in males; leads to high blood pressure, diabetes, and cancer.

Known Contraindications: Can induce or deepen depression in susceptible individuals. May be dangerous for people with cardiovascular risk factors. Should not be taken by people with immune-system disorders (including severe allergies), autoimmune diseases (such as rheumatoid arthritis),immune-system cancers

Known Drug Interactions: May interfere with hormone replacement therapy. May enhance the effectiveness of certain chemotherapy drugs.

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The Benefits & Risks of Omega 3 Fatty Acids (Fish Oil)

Potential Benefits: Provides heart protection; dilates blood vessels; reduces blood pressure; reduces blood clotting; suppresses inflammation; relieves pain of rheumatoid arthritis; eases symptoms of depression and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder; increases growth hormone levels; relieves symptoms of allergies, asthma, and skin disorders; can help prevent breast, prostate, and colon cancers; inhibits growth of pancreatic cancer, protects against kidney failure.

Known Adverse Effects: Encourages bleeding and hemorrhage, causes fishy breath odor, belching, abdominal bloating, increases total blood cholesterol.

Known Contraindications: None

Known Drug Interactions: None

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The Benefits & Risks of Saw Palmetto

Potential Benefits: Aids in the treatment of benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH), increases libido, increases sperm production, increases breast size of women, useful as a urinary antiseptic and diuretic, prevents hair loss (men only), treats low thyroid function and irritable bladder.

Known Adverse Effects: Rare but include headaches, gastrointestinal disturbances, diarrhea, vomiting, upset stomach, constipation, nausea, dizziness, erectile dysfunction, difficulty sleeping, fatigue, and heart pain.

Known Contraindications: People with enlarged prostate should consult a physician on a regular basis. Use should be avoided in patients with breast cancer.

Known Drug Interactions: None

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The Benefits & Risks of Shark Cartilage

Potential Benefits: Cures or prevents cancer, promotes wound healing, relieves arthritis pain and stiffness.

Known Adverse Effects: Could lead to thyroid hormone toxicity, may cause nausea, indigestion, fatigue, fever, and dizziness.

Known Contraindications: May slow down the healing process for people recovering from surgery. Shark cartilage enemas should be avoided by people with a low white blood cell count. Relying on this type of treatment alone and avoiding conventional medical care may have serious health consequences.

Known Drug Interactions: None

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The Benefits & Risks of Soy Protein

Potential Benefits: Reduces cholesterol and triglyceride levels, reduces risk of heart disease, suppresses menopausal symptoms (hot flashes), reduces bone breakdown (osteoporosis), prevents cancer.

Known Adverse Effects: Mild gastrointestinal complaints such as bloating and flatulence.

Known Contraindications: None

Known Drug Interactions: May interfere with the absorption of supplemental thyroid hormones. May interact with ipriflavone, a synthetic isoflavone.

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The Benefits & Risks of St. Johns Wort

Potential Benefits: Eases symptoms of mild to moderate depression; stabilizes mood; improves tolerance to stress; improves sleep patterns in older people; eases symptoms of anxiety; increases energy levels; controls appetite and promotes weight loss; eases bronchial inflammation, stomach problems, hemorrhoids, hypothyroidism, migraines, kidney disorders; aides in healing insect bites and stings, skin diseases, scabies, skin inflammation, burns/wounds, and blunt injuries; aids in wound healing and in resistance to viral infection when applied topically.

Known Adverse Effects: Mild gastrointestinal upset, skin rashes, tiredness, insomnia, restlessness, dizziness, confusion, photosensitivity, (especially in fair-skinned individuals) serotonin syndrome, drymouth, fast or irregular breathing.

Known Contraindications: Can be toxic to sperm; not for the treatment of severe depression.

Known Drug Interactions: No longer believed that it magnifies effect of MAOI drugs, but users should consult physician. May decrease effectiveness of HIV drugs, immunosuppressants, digoxin, blood thinners, chemotherapy drugs, and asthma medications. Abrupt withdrawal can increase blood levels of various medications. Should not be used with alcohol, narcotics, amphetamines, anticoagulants, antibiotics, or cold and flu medicines such as pseudo-ephedrine. Should not be used with other antidepressants or with certain cheeses. May interfere with action of certain oral contraceptives.

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The Benefits & Risks of Valerian

Potential Benefits: Promotes relaxation, induces sleep, eases symptoms of anxiety, calms nerves, helps people quit smoking, eases congestion, and relieves muscle spasms.

Known Adverse Effects: Headaches, mild nausea, upset stomach, heart palpitations, restlessness, excitability, hypersensitivity reactions, insomnia, blurred vision, and very high doses may weaken the heartbeat and cause paralysis.

Known Contraindications: People taking sedatives or antidepressants should consult physician. Should not be consumed for more than 2 weeks. People with liver or kidney disease should consult a physician.

Known Drug Interactions: Should not be taken with alcohol, certain antihistamines, muscle relaxants, psychotropic drugs, sedatives, barbiturates, or narcotics. Should not be taken with alcohol or other tranquilizers.

This article is for informational purposes only. It does not purport to offer medical advice.

 

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