Introduction
If you’re looking to make healthier choices when it comes to your diet, you may be considering adding supplements to your routine. While some supplements can be beneficial, there are some that you should avoid. In this article, we’ll discuss five supplements that you should take out of your cart now. We’ll explain why they’re not beneficial and provide healthier alternatives. By avoiding these supplements, you can make sure that you’re getting the most out of your diet and taking the best care of your body.
5 Supplements to Take Out of Your Cart Now — Eat This Not That
When it comes to supplements, it can be hard to know what to buy and what to avoid. With so many options on the market, it can be difficult to determine which ones are actually beneficial and which ones are a waste of money. To help you make the best decision for your health, here are 5 supplements to take out of your cart now.
1. Herbal Supplements
Herbal supplements are often marketed as natural remedies for a variety of ailments, but they can be dangerous. Many of these supplements are not regulated by the FDA, so there is no guarantee that they are safe or effective. Additionally, some of these supplements can interact with medications, so it’s best to avoid them altogether.
2. Vitamin E Supplements
Vitamin E is an important nutrient, but taking too much of it can be dangerous. High doses of vitamin E can increase the risk of bleeding and stroke, so it’s best to get your vitamin E from food sources instead of supplements.
3. Fish Oil Supplements
Fish oil supplements are often touted as a way to improve heart health, but research has shown that they may not be as beneficial as once thought. Additionally, some fish oil supplements may contain contaminants, so it’s best to get your omega-3 fatty acids from food sources instead.
4. Probiotic Supplements
Probiotic supplements are often marketed as a way to improve digestive health, but research has shown that they may not be as effective as once thought. Additionally, some probiotic supplements may contain contaminants, so it’s best to get your probiotics from food sources instead.
5. Multivitamin Supplements
Multivitamin supplements are often marketed as a way to get all the vitamins and minerals you need, but research has shown that they may not be as beneficial as once thought. Additionally, some multivitamin supplements may contain contaminants, so it’s best to get your vitamins and minerals from food sources instead.
When it comes to supplements, it’s important to do your research and make sure you’re getting the best product for your health. By avoiding these 5 supplements, you can ensure that you’re making the best decision for your health.
There are more than 29,000 supplements on the market, with another 1000 being launched every year, according to the FDA—but many are a waste of money if not downright dangerous. “Patients ask all the time, ‘What supplements should I be taking?’ They’re wasting money and focus thinking there has to be a magic set of pills that will keep them healthy when we should all be following the evidence-based practices of eating healthy and exercising,” says Dr. Jeffrey Linder, chief of general internal medicine in the department of medicine at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. Here are five supplements you should never use, according to experts. Read on—and to ensure your health and the health of others, don’t miss these Sure Signs You’ve Already Had COVID.
Taking vitamins A and E can be dangerous, experts warn. “A 2012 review of research published in the Cochrane Database found that taking daily vitamin E supplements may increase the risk of dying prematurely,” says Donald Hensrud, MD. “Vitamin A — The same review found large doses of vitamin A supplements were also associated with an increased risk of dying prematurely.”
“Supplementation with beta-carotene, a compound that’s converted to vitamin A by the body, was also shown to increase risk of death, especially for smokers or former smokers,” says Dr. Hensrud. “Since vitamin A deficiency is rare in the U.S., it’s probably not worth the potential risk to take this supplement.”
Taking too much iron and copper could be linked to dementia, experts warn. “Iron plays a key role in younger women’s diets for menstrual cycles and pregnancy, but the recommendations for iron after menopause significantly decrease,” recommends Cleveland Clinic. “Despite the lower guidelines (8 mg per day after age 50) many postmenopausal women still take supplements that contain iron and copper. One study linked excess iron and copper to increased incidence of Alzheimer’s disease and heart disease.”
Vitamin C supplements could interfere with prescription medication, doctors say. “High doses of vitamin C may cause diarrhea or stomach upset,” says Robert H. Shmerling, MD. “There have also been concerns that high-dose vitamin C supplementation may interfere with blood thinners or cholesterol-lowering medications.”
Be careful about any supplements that claim to prevent COVID-19. “Though COVID-19 is a new illness, a few clinical trials have explored the possibility that supplements may be effective,” says Dr. Shmerling. “And, unfortunately, most of the evidence is unconvincing. For example, a few observational studies link lower blood vitamin levels with a higher risk of testing positive for the virus that causes COVID-19 (see this study and this one). But studies like these cannot prove that vitamin D protects people against infection. Further, a randomized controlled study of people with moderate to severe COVID-19 who received a high dose of vitamin D showed no benefit.”
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