Our bodies need vitamins and minerals to thrive, but that doesn’t mean taking over-the-counter supplements is always safe. Some vitamins can interfere with prescription medications, making them potentially dangerous. “If you are taking multiple medications, your doctor will want to be on the lookout for possible drug interactions,” says family medicine specialist Matthew Goldman, MD. “Before writing you a new prescription, your provider will review your chart to see what else you are already taking – but just as prescription drugs can interact with each other, they can also interact with over-the-counter painkillers. and allergies, medications, herbal supplements, and even your daily vitamins.” Here are five surprising side effects of taking vitamins daily. Read on and to ensure your health and the health of others, don’t miss these Sure signs you’ve already had COVID.
Research shows that taking calcium supplements can do more harm than good. “A growing number of studies show increased risks of heart attack and stroke in men and women taking calcium at 1,000 to 1,200 milligrams (mg) per day, which was previously recommended,” says functional medicine specialist Melissa Young, MD. “We recommend getting the majority of your calcium needs from food. The body absorbs and uses calcium better from food than from supplements.”
“Garlic, ginger or ginkgo extracts could potentially interact with blood thinners and increase the risk of bleeding,” says internal medicine specialist Ronan Factora, MD. “And St. John’s Wort is commonly taken for depression, but it can interact with other antidepressants taken at the same time. Talking with your doctor can help determine potential interactions. Often ask the pharmacist about any specific concerns you have at the time. topic of a new supplement is also worthwhile. Prevention is always better than cure.”
Vitamin E may increase the risk of heart failure and stroke in some people, doctors warn.
“Patients who are under medical care for heart-related health conditions are strongly advised against using vitamin E,” says cardiologist Leslie Cho, MD. “Don’t take chances with your heart and be sure to get anything you plan to put in your body through your doctor.”
High doses of B vitamins may harm people with diabetic nephropathy (kidney disease caused by diabetes) according to research published in JAMA. “Given recent large-scale clinical trials showing no therapeutic benefit and our trial showing harm, it would be prudent to discourage the use of high-dose B vitamins as a homocysteine-lowering strategy outside of the clinical setting. ‘properly conducted clinical research’, the paper concludes.
“A lot of people have this misconception that if you top up on zinc, vitamin D, or vitamin C, it can help clinical outcomes of COVID-19,” says Dr Azizullah Beran, resident in internal medicine at the College of Medicine and Life Sciences of the University of Toledo. “That hasn’t been proven to be true. What we’re saying is this: If you don’t medically need these supplements, don’t take them thinking they protect against COVID-19. They don’t won’t stop you from getting it and they won’t stop you from dying.”
Follow the basics of public health and help end this pandemic, wherever you live – get vaccinated or boosted ASAP; if you live in an area with low vaccination rates, wear an N95 facial maskdo not travel, socially distance, avoid large crowds, do not go indoors with people you do not shelter with (especially in bars), practice good hand hygiene and to protect your life and that of others, do not visit any of these 35 places where you are most likely to catch COVID.
Mast Ferozan
Ferozan Mast is a science, health and wellness writer passionate about making science and research-based information accessible to the general public. Read more
