Introduction
It’s no secret that many of us take supplements to improve our health, but a new study has found that these supplements could actually be doing more harm than good. The study, published in the journal JAMA Internal Medicine, found that taking certain supplements could increase the risk of death from all causes. The study looked at the use of dietary supplements, including vitamins, minerals, and herbal products, and found that taking them could increase the risk of death from any cause by up to 16%. So if you’re taking supplements, it’s important to be aware of the potential risks and to talk to your doctor about the best way to stay healthy. Read on to learn more about the study and what it means for your health.
These Supplements Could Be Taking a Toll on Your Health, New Study Finds
A new study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association has found that certain dietary supplements may be linked to an increased risk of death. The study looked at the use of dietary supplements among more than 30,000 adults over a period of 19 years.
The researchers found that the use of certain supplements, such as multivitamins, vitamin B6, folic acid, iron, magnesium, zinc, and copper, was associated with an increased risk of death from any cause. The risk was particularly high for those taking iron supplements.
The researchers also found that the use of certain supplements, such as vitamin A, vitamin K, and selenium, was associated with a decreased risk of death from any cause. However, the researchers caution that these findings should be interpreted with caution, as the study was observational and did not prove cause and effect.
The researchers concluded that the use of certain dietary supplements may be associated with an increased risk of death from any cause. They recommend that people talk to their healthcare provider before taking any dietary supplements, as some supplements may interact with medications or have other risks.
Eat This Not That
If you’re looking to improve your health, it’s important to focus on eating a balanced diet that includes plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins. Eating a variety of foods is the best way to get the vitamins and minerals your body needs. Supplements should only be used to fill in any nutritional gaps.
It’s also important to talk to your healthcare provider before taking any dietary supplements, as some supplements may interact with medications or have other risks. Eating a healthy diet is the best way to get the nutrients your body needs.
While some supplements are a pretty safe bet for your health—you’re probably not going to go wrong taking, say, a vitamin D supplement—others may not offer you the health boost that they promise. In fact, some could actually be taking a toll on your health, leading to a range of unpleasant or even dangerous outcomes.
Now, a new study of more than 26,000 United States military service members has revealed that 20% of those who took pre- or post-workout supplements or took supplements for weight loss or muscle building experienced at least one adverse effect.
In the study, published in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, researchers looked at how a range of different dietary supplements impacted service members’ health, checking for a wide array of adverse effects ranging from nausea to sleep disturbances to seizures. Plus, 8% of those who took supplements that were purported to be prohormones, 6% of those who took protein or amino acid supplements, and 4% of those who took herbal supplements experienced at least one such adverse effect.
Related: The #1 Best Juice to Drink Every Day, Says Science
“Since supplements do not have to be approved by the FDA before they are marketed, [you] should exercise caution before trying new products,” Mascha Davis, MPH, RDN, author of Eat Your Vitamins and founder of Mini Fish, tells Eat This, Not That! “Particularly, it’s important to see if supplements negatively interact with any medications, if they have been researched to be safe and effective, and ideally, they have been third party tested to verify the ingredients.”
However, you don’t need to go in alone. There are experts who can help you make informed decisions about which supplements to take.
“This study speaks to the importance of speaking first with a registered dietitian or doctor before starting on a new supplement – especially [if you] have food allergies or intolerances, are dealing with chronic health conditions, are pregnant and/or breastfeeding, taking any prescription medications, or planning to have surgery at some point,” registered dietitian nutritionist, Malina Malkani, MS, RDN, CDN tells Eat This, Not That!
She noted that registered dietitians and doctors are trained to make the best recommendations for each individual based on trusted information, making it significantly less likely that you’ll experience adverse effects.
For more on how to get smart about the supplements you take, check out these 11 Vitamins That May Be Dangerous, Warn Experts.
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