Vitamin and herbal supplements are designed to supplement your body with nutrients that may be lacking from your diet. Trying to use vitamin and herbal supplements to provide the bulk of your daily nutrients instead of eating healthy food can cause health problems. If you have a healthy diet, taking a high dose of vitamin or herbal supplements can have ill effects. Consult with your primary care provider before trying a new vitamin or herbal supplement.
Adverse Effects
Some vitamin and herbs can react with your prescribed medications producing undesirable effects. For instance, using the herb St. John's wort, commonly used to treat mild depression, can reduce the desired effects of your prescribed heart medications, antidepressants or oral contraceptives. If you are HIV positive, taking St. John's wort can reduce the effectiveness of some of your anti-viral medications.
Toxic Reactions
Vitamins A, D, E, K and F are considered fat-soluble vitamins. Fat-soluble vitamins only dissolve in fat and are stored in your liver. Too much of these types of vitamins can cause you to have a toxic reaction, because they are excreted from your body slowly. Some vitamins and herbs have similar properties compared to certain prescribed or over-the-counter medications and, if used co-jointly, can cause a possible toxic reaction.
Contraindications
The medication warfarin is a prescribed medication to keep your blood thin for a medical condition that you have. Certain vitamin and herbal supplements also thin your blood. Ginkgo biloba, vitamin E and A all have natural properties that thin your blood; combining these supplements with warfarin can have dangerous effects.
Overdose
Vitamin and herbal supplements are regulated by the FDA, but not as strictly as medications are. They fall under the category of food. Manufacturers of vitamin and mineral supplements do not have to receive approval from the FDA before marketing them. It is important to use caution before using any type of supplement. If a vitamin or herbal supplement contains more than 100 percent of the recommended daily allowance, it can be dangerous to your health. Certain medical conditions that compromise your liver or kidneys or if you take a thiazide diuretic, can put you at risk of overdosing on vitamin D. That is because of its oil-soluble properties. It is stored in your liver and excreted by your kidneys. If your kidneys are not functioning properly, poisoning can be the end result. Taking high doses of vitamin A can possible result in osteoporosis if you are older. Taking large amounts of vitamin A long-term can cause you to develop stomach discomfort, nausea, mental changes and fatigue.
References
- MayoClinic.com: Herbal Supplements: What To Know Before You Buy
- MayoClinic.com: What is Vitamin D Toxicity, and Should I Worry About It Since I Take Supplements?
- National Institutes Of Health: What's In The Bottle? An Introduction To Dietary Supplements
- FDA: Tips For The Savvy Supplement User: Making Informed Decisions And Evaluating Information
- MedlinePlus: Herbs And Supplements
- FAQs.org: Vitamins: Fat Soluble
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