Taking supplements can be a vital component in maintaining overall health, but many people are unsure about how much they should be taking. With over 100,000 supplements available on the US market, navigating the options can be overwhelming.
The key to using supplements effectively lies in understanding their dosage limits and potential interactions with medications or other supplements. According to Dr Pieter Cohen, an internist at Harvard Medical School, excessive amounts of nutrients can cause health problems.
"There's no vetting of products before they're sold to ensure that the label is accurate," says Cohen, whose research suggests that contents and quantity labelling are often inaccurate. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not approve supplements or their labelling before they are sold.
To avoid potential harm, experts recommend choosing supplements from non-profit organizations such as the National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) or United States Pharmacopeia (USP), which offer high-quality, third-party certification programs.
When considering a new supplement, it's crucial to consult with your doctor first. This is particularly important since the recommended amount differs from person to person.
The potential risks associated with taking too much of certain supplements are significant. For example, excessive vitamin D can lead to nausea, vomiting and excessive urination, while high levels of omega-3 fatty acids may increase the risk of bleeding and stroke.
Calcium supplements also require caution, as high doses can cause kidney stones and interact negatively with other medications. Vitamin C is another supplement that should be used in moderation, as excessive intake can lead to gastrointestinal issues like nausea and diarrhea.
Magnesium supplements are generally considered safe when taken in recommended amounts, but high doses may cause nausea, abdominal cramping and diarrhea. Probiotics, while often touted for their health benefits, can also have negative side effects if used excessively.
Creatine supplements can cause some bloating and gastrointestinal symptoms, and research suggests that higher doses do not offer any advantages. Collagen peptides, on the other hand, may be beneficial for joint and skin health, but more research is needed to support these claims.
Ultimately, using supplements with caution, just as you would with over-the-counter medications like Tylenol, is crucial. It's also essential to stick to studied doses and not take dosing advice from the person selling the product due to a risk of bias.
By being informed about supplement dosage limits and potential interactions, individuals can make more informed decisions about their health and well-being.
The key to using supplements effectively lies in understanding their dosage limits and potential interactions with medications or other supplements. According to Dr Pieter Cohen, an internist at Harvard Medical School, excessive amounts of nutrients can cause health problems.
"There's no vetting of products before they're sold to ensure that the label is accurate," says Cohen, whose research suggests that contents and quantity labelling are often inaccurate. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not approve supplements or their labelling before they are sold.
To avoid potential harm, experts recommend choosing supplements from non-profit organizations such as the National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) or United States Pharmacopeia (USP), which offer high-quality, third-party certification programs.
When considering a new supplement, it's crucial to consult with your doctor first. This is particularly important since the recommended amount differs from person to person.
The potential risks associated with taking too much of certain supplements are significant. For example, excessive vitamin D can lead to nausea, vomiting and excessive urination, while high levels of omega-3 fatty acids may increase the risk of bleeding and stroke.
Calcium supplements also require caution, as high doses can cause kidney stones and interact negatively with other medications. Vitamin C is another supplement that should be used in moderation, as excessive intake can lead to gastrointestinal issues like nausea and diarrhea.
Magnesium supplements are generally considered safe when taken in recommended amounts, but high doses may cause nausea, abdominal cramping and diarrhea. Probiotics, while often touted for their health benefits, can also have negative side effects if used excessively.
Creatine supplements can cause some bloating and gastrointestinal symptoms, and research suggests that higher doses do not offer any advantages. Collagen peptides, on the other hand, may be beneficial for joint and skin health, but more research is needed to support these claims.
Ultimately, using supplements with caution, just as you would with over-the-counter medications like Tylenol, is crucial. It's also essential to stick to studied doses and not take dosing advice from the person selling the product due to a risk of bias.
By being informed about supplement dosage limits and potential interactions, individuals can make more informed decisions about their health and well-being.
anyway so yeah im totally confused by the whole supplements thing too its crazy that there are over 100k options out there idk how people even know what they're good for lol and omg dr pieter cohen's research sounds super important i wonder if theres any way to get more info on legit brands tho like NSF or USP anyone have any recs?
I'm so done with all these supplements on the market 
. It's like, how are we supposed to know what's safe and what's not? 100k+ options is just too much! 
My mom took this one supplement for years and now she's got kidney stones from calcium overload 
. I think it's crazy that the FDA doesn't regulate these products as tightly as they do medications...like, what even is the point of having a regulation agency if you're not gonna enforce it? 
It's no wonder people are unsure what to take and how much to take. The lack of regulation in this space is concerning, isn't it? 
I mean, the FDA doesn't even approve supplements or their labels before they hit the market? That's like playing a game of dietary roulette! 
Maybe it's time for some stricter regulations or clearer labeling guidelines? 
The FDA doesn't even approve them before they hit the market! That's crazy talk 
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. Can't we just have some standardization for once? Like, what's up with all these sketchy brands popping up everywhere? Get a third-party cert like NSF or USP, duh! 
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. Otherwise, we're just gonna keep playing the game of "supplement roulette" – and that's not a recipe for good health 
. And don't even get me started on the label accuracy... I mean, come on, FDA isn't exactly the most proactive when it comes to vetting these things 
. Anyway, if you're gonna go down the supplement route, just make sure to do your research and consult with a doc first 
. Some of these stuff can be seriously toxic if taken in excess 
. Stick to the recommended dosages and don't overdo it, k?
. I mean, have you seen the number of options available? It's like trying to choose between poison pills 
! Excessive amounts of any nutrient can be bad news, trust me 
It's like we're just playing a game of "supplement roulette" 
... And don't even get me started on those "study" claims 
.
I've been doing my own research and it's clear that high doses can cause some serious health problems. 
Vitamin D is like a ticking time bomb if you don't watch out, and omega-3s are no joke either. 
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. All these fancy labels from non-profit orgs sound legit but at the end of the day it's up to us to do our research and consult with docs