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

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.

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The Benefits & Risks of Chondroitin Sulfate

Potential Benefits: Alleviates joint pain and reduces inflammation associated with osteoarthritis.

Known Adverse Effects: Mild gastrointestinal complaints such as heartburn and nausea.

Known Contraindications: None

Known Drug Interactions: None

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The Benefits & Risks of CoEnzyme Q 10

Potential Benefits: Slows aging; increases energy; enhances endurance and aerobic performance; strengthens heart; lowers blood pressure; improves immune function; promotes weight loss; treats cancer, stroke, and gum diseases.

Known Adverse Effects: Rare, but include heartburn, nausea, stomach ache, diarrhea, headache, fatigue, and skin reactions.

Known Contraindications: None

Known Drug Interactions: May interact with blood thinners.

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The Benefits & Risks of Dehydroepiandrosterone(DHEA)

Potential Benefits: Slows aging; improves memory; stimulates libido and increases sex drive; eases symptoms of depression; boosts energy; promotes weight loss; builds muscle mass and increases strength; prevents growth and recurrence of some cancers; protects against heart disease; reduces the risk of osteoporosis; prevents diseases such as diabetes, Parkinson's, and Alzheimer's.

Known Adverse Effects: Increased facial hair; acne; scalp hair loss; oily skin; mood swings; aggressiveness; altered hormone profiles; liver abnormalities; menstrual cycle irregularities; increased risk of heart disease, diabetes, stroke, prostate cancer in men, and breast and endometrial cancer in women; insomnia; fatigue; low energy; headache; nervousness; deepening of the voice; irritability; decreased levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol; heart rhythm disturbances; hepatitis.

Known Contraindications: People with a hormone-related cancer (prostate, ovarian, endometrial, breast) should consult a physician. Should be avoided by men with enlarged prostate.

Known Drug Interactions: None

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The Benefits & Risks of Evening Primrose Oil

Potential Benefits: Beneficial for victims of coronary artery disease; improves rheumatoid arthritis and other inflammatory conditions; alleviates hot flashes, pre-menstrual syndrome, and breast pain associated with the menstrual cycle; improves eczema and dermatitis; aids in weight loss; prevents diabetic neuropathy; eases symptoms of schizophrenia and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder; benefits chronic viral infections such as chronic fatigue syndrome; reduces effects of multiple sclerosis; aids high cholesterol, asthmatic cough, and upset stomach; has anticancer properties.

Known Adverse Effects: Gastrointestinal upset, nausea, loose stools, headache, seizure.

Known Contraindications: None

Known Drug Interactions: May increase the anticoagulant effect of drugs such as warfarin. Should not be used with anti- convulsant medication.

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The Benefits & Risks of Garlic

Potential Benefits: Reduces serum cholesterol; thins blood; lowers blood pressure; may prevent heart disease, atherosclerosis, stroke, and hypertension; acts as antimicrobial for mild respiratory and digestive tract infections; relieves nausea.

Known Adverse Effects: Rare, but may include mild gastrointestinal symptoms such as heartburn and nausea, body and breath odor, headache, and vertigo.

Known Contraindications: May decrease blood glucose.

Known Drug Interactions: May heighten the blood thinning effects of anti-inflammatory medications, such as aspirin, and supplements, such as vitamin E and fish oil; may interact with the blood thinning drug, warfarin (Coumadin); may strengthen the effect of anti-hypertensive drugs.

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The Benefits & Risks of Ginkgo Biloba

Potential Benefits: Improves memory and mental sharpness; alleviates symptoms of Alzheimer's disease; eases symptoms of depression; improves circulation; thins blood; improves cardiovascular health; acts as antioxidant; improves vertigo, headache, and tinnitus; relieves intermittent lower leg cramps, diabetic retinopathy, wheezing, dizziness, motion sickness, and Raynaud's Disease.

Known Adverse Effects: Very rarely associated with gastrointestinal upset, allergic skin reaction, and headache.

Known Contraindications: Not for people with seizure disorders because it may lessen the effects of seizure medication. Not to be taken by people hypersensitive to poison ivy, cashews, or mangoes.

Known Drug Interactions: Could pose a problems for those with blood clotting problems or those taking anti-coagulant medications. Not recommended for people using aspirin, or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs

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The Benefits & Risks of Ginseng

Potential Benefits: Relieves stress, eases symptoms of anxiety, delays or reduces the effects of aging, used as a tonic for well-being, enhances immune function, reduces blood sugar, improves cognitive function, relieves menopausal symptoms, acts as an antioxidant, reduces hypocholesterolemia, enhances athletic performance, boosts energy, increases sexual stamina, helps with impotence and infertility, prevents and fights diseases such as cancer, increases energy, protects the heart, strengthens stomach functions, prevents arteriosclerosis, stabilizes blood pressure and insulin levels.

Known Adverse Effects: Generally considered quite safe although it is recommended that a course of treatment not exceed 3 months; may cause breast tenderness, swollen breasts, vaginal bleeding in women, nervousness, excitation, hypertension, headaches, insomnia, restlessness, vomiting, and may cause breast cancer to recur in women who have had the disease previously.

Known Contraindications: Caution recommended for individuals with hypertension and those prone to hypoglycemia. High doses may inhibit immune function in early stages of infection. People with cancer should consult their physician. People with cardiovascular disease or diabetes should exercise caution.

Known Drug Interactions: May interfere with digoxin activity or monitoring. If used with warfarin or other anti-coagulants, can alter bleeding times. If used with phenelzine sulfate (an anti-depressant) or a monoamine ozidase inhibitor (MAOI), can cause headaches, tremors, and manic episodes. Use caution if taking insulin.

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The Benefits & Risks of Glucosamine

Potential Benefits: Reverses osteoarthritis, protects joints and tendons from injury, decreases inflammation.

Known Adverse Effects: Occasional symptoms of gastrointestinal discomfort; reduced insulin secretion noted in animal studies

Known Contraindications: None

Known Drug Interactions: Concern about interactions for people on blood-thinning medications and about harmful effects on insulin resistance.

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

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

 

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