Weight Loss 2016 News: Herbal, Dietary Supplements Not Healthy at All; Top 5 Ingredients to Avoid
Herbal or Dietary Supplements May Not Be So Healthy After All
Herbal and dietary supplements such as probiotics and other organic, alternative medicines may not be entirely good for our health.
While not discounting the effects of pharmaceutical and prescription drugs, many Americans believe in dietary and herbal supplements. It is a multi-billion industry and a new research has found that it may not even be that effective and may have dangerous side effects.
No Regulations for Herbal, Dietary Supplements in the US?
A report posted by Consumer Reports on their website reveals that herbal and dietary supplements in the US are not well regulated or not at all by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Herbal and dietary supplements that are not regulated means the ingredients used to make them may not be effective or even safe to begin with.
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Dangers of Herbal and Dietary Supplements
The labeling on herbal and dietary supplements may not be reliable as well. It cannot educate the consumer of what goes in the supplements and how it can provide health benefits. Without the FDA regulation and approval, there's no way of knowing the risks of taking herbal and dietary supplements.
Medical Daily reports that the FDA has made numerous attempts to regulate the supplements industry. However, the 1994 Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act have enlisted these supplements as food rather than medicine. This makes it easy for dietary and herbal supplement manufacturers to make their products and release it to the public without undergoing testing or finding out its health risks.
Consumer Reports' chief medical adviser, Dr. Marvin Lipman, said that herbal and dietary supplements with USP (US Pharmacopeia) label are considered safe, ABC News noted. This means that these products have verified ingredients in their products.
Top 5 Herbal and Dietary Ingredients to Avoid
In a separate article, Consumer Reports has listed herbal and dietary supplement ingredients that should be avoided. Here are the top 5 ingredients you should stay away from:
1. Chaparral (Creoste) - It is claimed by some herbal and dietary supplements to help with weight loss, reduced risk of cancer and inflammation. However, according to the experts by Consumer Reports, it can cause liver and kidney problems and even death.
2. Caffeine Powder - Its main ingredient claims to help with weight loss, attention and sports performance. Its potential risks include seizures, cardiac arrest and adverse health reactions when combined with other stimulating substances which can lead to death.
3. Kava (Ava Pepper) - It is claimed to help with insomnia and anxiety but its side effects may lead to depression, liver damage, and increased Parkinson's disease risk.
4. Lobelia (Wild Tobacco) - Herbal and dietary supplements manufacturers claim it can help with smoking cessation and respiratory problems. However, it may cause coma, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and possible death.
5. Yohimbe (Johimi pausinystalia) - It is claimed to help treat erectile dysfunction, obesity, depression and low sex drive. The group found it may cause heart and kidney problems, headaches, liver disorders, seizures and possible death.
