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The first thing most people want to know about a new supplement is the side effects. There are some common side effects of supplements, depending on what type of supplement you are talking about. Some side effects are common for all supplements, while others are based on the supplement you are taking. In many cases, no known side effects are listed for natural herbal supplements. However, when you stack supplements or take prescription medications with the supplements, you can experience increased side effects.
The most common side effect of supplements is mild liver damage. This is generally not a concern if you are taking only one or two natural supplements. However, if you take a number of supplements for an extended period of time, you can cause damage to your liver. Some supplements increase liver function, which can cause damage over time. Other supplements simply make the liver work overtime because of the number of supplements the body is trying to process, causing lasting damage. The easiest way to avoid this side effect is to take supplements for a small amount of time only, with at least one month between cycles. You should also avoid stacking multiple supplements without the advice of a physician.
The next set of common side effects of supplements are those that occur when taking supplements in conjunction with medications. For example, you should not take most supplements when taking arthritis medication, as it can cause liver toxicity and bleeding problems. Many energy or metabolism boosting supplements have adverse effects when they interact with MAOI inhibitors and other mood altering medications such as antidepressants or mood stabilizers. If you take any type of over the counter medication or prescribed medication on a daily basis, you need to discuss with your doctor whether or not the supplements you want to take will cause adverse effects or increased side effects from the medication.
Certain supplements can have other side effects. Creatine, for example, will cause you to gain water weight, or to retain water. This can make you appear bloated or make your muscles seem softer. Other supplements, such as magnesium, are fine in recommended doses but can cause side effects, such as diarrhea, when used too much or too frequently. For example, ephedra does not have any side effects other than insomnia when used in small doses. However, in larger doses or used over time it can cause heart failure and high blood pressure, even stoke. Fish oil is great for lowering cholesterol, but can cause diarrhea or nausea if you take too much.
The best way to avoid common side effects of supplements is to understand the risks of each supplement before you take it. If something says there are no side effects, check for interactions with other things you are taking. You should also watch for interactions of supplements stacked together, or supplements taken in conjunction with medications. Additionally, you should consult your doctor or a knowledgeable nutritionist before starting any regimen of supplements for any purpose.
The most common side effect of supplements is mild liver damage. This is generally not a concern if you are taking only one or two natural supplements. However, if you take a number of supplements for an extended period of time, you can cause damage to your liver. Some supplements increase liver function, which can cause damage over time. Other supplements simply make the liver work overtime because of the number of supplements the body is trying to process, causing lasting damage. The easiest way to avoid this side effect is to take supplements for a small amount of time only, with at least one month between cycles. You should also avoid stacking multiple supplements without the advice of a physician.
The next set of common side effects of supplements are those that occur when taking supplements in conjunction with medications. For example, you should not take most supplements when taking arthritis medication, as it can cause liver toxicity and bleeding problems. Many energy or metabolism boosting supplements have adverse effects when they interact with MAOI inhibitors and other mood altering medications such as antidepressants or mood stabilizers. If you take any type of over the counter medication or prescribed medication on a daily basis, you need to discuss with your doctor whether or not the supplements you want to take will cause adverse effects or increased side effects from the medication.
Certain supplements can have other side effects. Creatine, for example, will cause you to gain water weight, or to retain water. This can make you appear bloated or make your muscles seem softer. Other supplements, such as magnesium, are fine in recommended doses but can cause side effects, such as diarrhea, when used too much or too frequently. For example, ephedra does not have any side effects other than insomnia when used in small doses. However, in larger doses or used over time it can cause heart failure and high blood pressure, even stoke. Fish oil is great for lowering cholesterol, but can cause diarrhea or nausea if you take too much.
The best way to avoid common side effects of supplements is to understand the risks of each supplement before you take it. If something says there are no side effects, check for interactions with other things you are taking. You should also watch for interactions of supplements stacked together, or supplements taken in conjunction with medications. Additionally, you should consult your doctor or a knowledgeable nutritionist before starting any regimen of supplements for any purpose.