WASHINGTON (7News) — Before you try that trending supplement, doctors say there are risks to know.
With so many social media influencers promoting supplements as a “natural” fix for everything from low energy to stress, it can be tempting to self-diagnose and try whatever is trending.
But doctors warn that taking too many supplements, taking the wrong ones or taking several at the same time can be unsafe.
Dr. YuFang Lin, who specializes in integrative medicine, said many people assume supplements are harmless because they are often marketed as natural. However, she said they should be treated more like medication.
That means knowing why you are taking a supplement, how much you actually need and whether it could interact with any medications or other products you are already using.
Lin said many supplements are not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and some do not have strong scientific evidence behind them.
She recommends looking for products that have been third-party tested and screened for heavy metals and other contaminants.
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“When you take too many, it is a burden to the body, particularly to the kidney and to the liver,” Lin said. “In addition, it can interact with the medicines you’re already taking. And particularly for those people who are at higher risk of having medicine and herb or supplement interactions, they really need to watch out for excess and a side effect.”
Lin said people should be especially careful with botanicals, plant extracts and nutraceuticals because they may carry a higher risk of interactions, toxicity or contamination.
Women who are pregnant or trying to get pregnant should also be cautious. Lin recommends they run all pills, including prescriptions and supplements, by their doctor first because some supplements can be harmful during pregnancy.