Noni is a small evergreen plant commonly found in Polynesia and other tropical regions. The fruit and leaves of this plant have been used as medicinal supplements in powder, capsule and juice form. Though noni is marketed as a cure-all supplement -- providing health benefits to people with anything from chronic pain to cancer -- the medicinal benefits of this natural supplement have yet to be clinically proven. Talk with your medical provider about noni side effects before you begin taking any form of this supplement.
Liver Damage
Health professionals with the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center note that liver damage, also called hepatotoxicity, has been reported following consumption of noni juice. Liver damage is a serious side effect that may cause yellow skin discoloration, pale or bloody stools, nausea, severe fatigue, unusually dark urine, intense itching and abdominal pain or swelling. If you develop any of these side effects, especially while taking noni supplements, seek prompt care from your physician.
Hyperkalemia
Noni is high in potassium and may significantly elevate the amount of potassium in your blood if you use noni supplements in excess, MayoClinic.com warns. Unusually high potassium levels -- a condition called hyperkalemia -- may cause symptoms of fatigue, weakness, unusual body sensations, nausea or vomiting, breathing problems, heart rate irregularities or paralysis. If you have a pre-existing medical condition, such as kidney disease, which requires you to manage your potassium intake, avoid using supplements that contain noni.
Medication Interactions
Be sure to talk with your physician about any other medications you are currently taking before you begin using noni supplements. Noni may interfere with the way certain drugs work in your body, such as radiation, chemotherapy or blood pressure medications, MSKCC reports. Certain noni juice products contain large amounts of sugar and should be avoided by people who have diabetes.
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