Dietary supplements make reference to any health products that could supplement our diet. They include vitamins, minerals, proteins, digestive enzymes, Probiotics, herbal supplements, glandular extracts and dietary fibers etc.

 

The usage of dietary supplements has been rising every year. Whereas lots of people feel that dietary supplements can boost their health or prevent certain diseases, some consumer groups or medical professionals have warned that dietary supplements can be dangerous. So, the question is: are dietary supplements really dangerous? Unfortunately, the question does not need a straightforward answer.

 

Dietary supplements, by its broad definition, include thousands of different products. In 2004, Consumer Reports listed 12 potentially dangerous dietary supplements. Most of them are herbal products. Some of those herbs have been used by herbalists for more than 100 years and are thought as safe. However, when the active substances in these herbs are extracted in pure or concentrated form and consumed over prolonged period, they can be dangerous with a people.

 

Many dietary supplements such as for instance Zinzino Business Opportunity vitamins and minerals are safe and can supplement what is missing within our diet. However, even the benign supplement may become dangerous in overdose. In local news, a lady was reported to give her two teenage daughters mega dose of vitamin A for prolonged period, thinking that the supplement will work for the eyes. Both suffered from acute liver failure and one required a liver transplant to save her life. Vitamin A isn't dangerous but mega dose of vitamin A is hepatotoxic. In this instance, ignorance itself is dangerous!

 

 

The quality of dietary supplement can also be an essential factor. The current presence of contaminations, such as for instance heavy metal, drugs, and toxic substances will make a benign supplement dangerous. An example is the current presence of microcystin toxin in blue green algae dietary supplements. Microcystins are natural toxins from certain strains of blue green algae that could cause liver damage and liver tumors. According to the research conducted by Health Canada, just one strain of blue green algae, Spirulina, is clear of microcystins as Spirulina is harvested from controlled ponds. Most of the non-Spirulina blue green algae supplements are contaminated by microcystins, especially those harvested from natural lakes. Daily consumption of those dietary supplements would exceed the acceptable degree of microcystin intake established by Health Canada and WHO.

 

Good manufacturing practice (GMP) is another key factor to guard the product quality and safety of dietary supplements. Dietary supplement manufacturers in compliance of GMP standards have to try the identity of raw materials, implement a good control unit, provide expiration date for the finished products, maintain good records of batch production and written procedures, and hire personnel who're trained to comprehend and follow GMP. This practice can reduce the opportunity of experiencing batch to batch variation in strength, composition, purity and quality of finished products.

 

In conclusion, although most dietary supplements are safe when consumed in line with the label, customers are advised to educate themselves before taking these supplements. What are the functions of those supplements? Just how long should I be taking them? Are they manufactured by reputable companies in compliance of good manufacturing practices? Never consume more than the recommended dose unless supervised by healthcare professionals. If you're pregnant, breast feeding, or experiencing pre-existing health conditions, it's also advisable to take extra precaution and consult with your doctors or nutritionists.