Exclusive Content:

Restaurant Health Inspection Checklist

Restaurant Health Inspection Checklist What should a restaurant manager do...

The Restaurant Manager’s Guide for Passing a Health Inspection

Restaurant Manager's Guide for Passing a Health Inspection Passing a...

Where You Might Fit the Future of Public Health?

Where You Might Fit the Future of Public Health? Healthcare Healthcare...

Dietary Supplements – Are They Dangerous?

Dietary supplements refer to any health products that can supplement our diet. They include vitamins, minerals, amino acids, digestive enzymes, Probiotics, herbal supplements, glandular extracts and dietary fibers etc.

The consumption of dietary supplements has been rising every year. Whereas many people believe that dietary supplements can improve 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 have a simple answer.

Dietary supplements, by its broad definition, include thousands of different products. In 2004, Consumer Reports listed 12 potentially dangerous dietary supplements. Many of them are herbal products. Some of these herbs have been used by herbalists for hundreds of years and are considered 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 to some people.

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

The quality of dietary supplement is also an important factor. The presence of contaminations, such as heavy metal, drugs, and toxic substances can make a benign supplement dangerous. One example is the presence of microcystin toxin in blue green algae dietary supplements. Microcystins are natural toxins from certain strains of blue green algae that can cause liver damage and liver tumors. According to the research conducted by Health Canada, only one strain of blue green algae, Spirulina, is free from 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 these dietary supplements would exceed the acceptable level of microcystin intake established by Health Canada and WHO.

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

To sum up, although most dietary supplements are safe when consumed according to the label, consumers are advised to educate themselves before taking these supplements. What are the functions of these supplements? 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 health care professionals. If you are pregnant, breast feeding, or suffering from pre-existing health conditions, you should also take extra precaution and consult with your doctors or nutritionists.

Latest

Learn how addiction meetings can help you overcome your porn addiction

An addiction has the power to consume your life....

Taste of Home Cooking – Learn The Art Of Cooking, From Home

Are you looking for a school that will teach...

BEADED BRACELETS FOR MEN

Men are starting to pay attention to their dressing...

Comparison of Anti-Aging Supplements With Body-Building Supplements

Aging - the bitter truth is definitely hard to...

Newsletter

Stay in touch:

1,000FansLike
1,000FollowersFollow
1,000FollowersFollow

Don't miss

Implant Costs – Why Are Implants so expensive?

Implant Costs - Why Are Implants so expensive? While dental...

20 Head Smacking Food Cooking Tips

A lot of us are often given blurred visions...

3 Things You Should Know About Lingual Braces

There are a lot of dental treatments available to...

Cannabis Addiction is Omnipresent

Cannabis a plant, in general terms a drug that...

The Importance of a Lifestyle Director

The importance of an Activities/Lifestyle/Social Director cannot be dismissed...
spot_imgspot_img

Related Articles

Restaurant Health Inspection Checklist

Restaurant Health Inspection Checklist What should a restaurant manager do during visits by health inspectors? Doing your own inspections is the best way to pass...

The Restaurant Manager’s Guide for Passing a Health Inspection

Restaurant Manager's Guide for Passing a Health Inspection Passing a health inspection can be intimidating and seemingly impossible. But policies and procedures exist to help...

Where You Might Fit the Future of Public Health?

Where You Might Fit the Future of Public Health? Healthcare Healthcare workers are in high demand. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects an increase of...

How to heal from emotional abuse

Even though emotional abuse does not result in physical injuries, the trauma it causes can be life-altering for both mental and physical wellbeing. Although...

MK 677 – Results, Side Effects and Dosage. Benefits. Before and after.

Ibutamoren, commonly known by its street name MK-677, is a powerful performance-enhancing drug that has the potential to transform bodybuilding dynamics forever. Classified as...

The Future of Public Health: Where You Might Fit

The Future of Public Health: Where You Might Fit in Healthcare Healthcare workers are in Future of Public Health high demand. According to the U.S. Bureau...

What are the Different Types Of Life Coaching?

This guide decodes what life coaching is and outlines its various components for those considering hiring one. Olga Rybina and Yuri Muradyan founded the...

These mental health tips will help you stay active

Mental health makes managing stress and other problems much simpler. This guide will show you how to improve your mental wellbeing; it includes lessons...

Are there any negatives with tooth Implants

Are There Any Cons to having Dental Implants? Tooth Implants have seen an incredible surge in popularity over the last 10 years due to advances...
error: Content is protected !!