Are Oral Supplements Safe to
Consume?
Most people can safely take dietary supplements in the form of tablets, capsules or
liquids when they are used properly newsonexpress. However, some supplements are dangerous
when taken in high doses or when they interfere with certain medicines. Some of
these supplements have also been found to contain unlisted ingredients and can
cause bad reactions. Some supplements have even been known to cause illness and
death in some people. These problems are most often caused by improperly made
products, overdoses and the use of supplements with other medicines or foods.

Vitamins, minerals and herbal remedies have become popular in recent years. Many
of these supplements are advertised to prevent or cure disease, boost the immune
system and even slow down aging. Unfortunately, a lot of the claims about these
products are false. In addition, taking too much of some vitamins and minerals can
be harmful. The FDA monitors dietary supplement manufacturers and watches for
products that may be unsafe but it is difficult to track all the different products on
the market. In general, dietary supplements should not be considered as an
alternative to a balanced diet or for prescription drugs.
Food Supplements and Medicinal Plants
Dietary supplements are concentrated sources of nutrients or other substances with
a nutritional or physiological effect and are typically marketed in pill, tablet, capsule
or liquid dosage form. The FDA regulates these supplements by setting standards
for production, labeling and safety. It also oversees the recall of products. The FDA
recommends that people talk to a health care professional before taking any
supplements.
When talking to a health care professional, it is important to be honest about any
supplements you are taking. The person can help you decide if the supplements are
necessary and if they will be safe for you to consume. A health care professional can
also tell you about any potential interactions with other medicines or supplements
that the supplement might have.

Some dietary supplements, especially ones containing herbs, are not as safe as they
are claimed to be. The dietary supplements industry has had a history of impure
products such as the stimulant ephedra which was linked to heart attacks, liver
damage and other serious illnesses. More recently, supplements have been
contaminated with the banned substance methylsynephrine which has led to
seizures, vomiting and deaths.
Taking too many supplements can cause unpleasant side effects like nausea,
bloating and diarrhea. Large amounts of certain vitamins and minerals can also be
toxic – for example, too much vitamin A can lead to headaches and liver damage;
high levels of zinc and iron can cause gastrointestinal upset and black stools; and
too much fluoride can stain teeth and weaken bone strength. These side effects are
usually short-term but can be severe or life threatening. In addition, some of these
supplements have not been well-tested for use by children or pregnant women.