Although anyone can purchase over-the-counter supplements, many contain active ingredients that rival the strength of prescription medications. In light of their properties, it’s imperative to guard against bad reactions secondary to supplements.

According to the NIH Office of Dietary Supplements (ODS), people are most likely to have side effects or adverse reactions from supplements when they’re taken at high doses, used instead of prescribed medicines, or, when taken in conjunction with different supplements.

“Manufacturers may add vitamins, minerals, and other supplement ingredients to foods you eat, especially breakfast cereals and beverages,” notes an ODS fact sheet. If you’re taking supplements as well, you may be ingesting excessive amounts of certain nutrients.

“Taking more than you need costs more and might also raise your risk of side effects,” wrote the agency. “For example, too much vitamin A can cause headaches and liver damage, reduce bone strength, and cause birth defects. Excess iron causes nausea and vomiting and may damage the liver and other organs.”

Here are the potential negative side effects of four common supplements.

Fish oil

The experts at the Mayo Clinic deem fish oil supplements, taken for their omega-3 fatty acids, as generally safe. Another bit of good news: Fish oils contain very little mercury—which is a concern when eating certain fish like swordfish, shark, king mackerel, and others. Nevertheless, in high amounts, these supplements could pose certain risks including bleeding and stroke. It is also unclear whether people with seafood allergies can take them……

Read more: https://www.mdlinx.com/article/do-these-supplements-do-more-harm-than-good/3Zn1y3MpC15IZZRE3Em6zU?show_order=2&utm_campaign=malert_061521_transactional&tag=Morning&utm_medium=email&utm_source=iPost&ipost_environment=m3usainc&iqs=9z2ztg328t8ab78fr45ek1qrofca4m1thoac74ho4eo

Source: MD Linx

The post Do these supplements do more harm than good? appeared first on Macular Degeneration Association.