Tag: #Supplements

Common Side-Effects of Supplements used to Manage Inflammation-Continued

Some studies have found that supplementation with certain vitamins and natural compounds may help prevent or delay inflammation, reducing the development of chronic disease.

Continuing with the possible common side effects of some supplements:

Ginger 

Ginger contains compounds called gingerol and shogaol that may be beneficial against inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, lupus, and inflammatory bowel disease. More studies are needed to confirm these benefits.

There is no set dose for ginger to reduce inflammation. Most studies that used ginger to reduce inflammation used doses of 15-750 milligrams for about 3-12 weeks.

Ginger is generally a safe dietary supplement, but larger doses have been shown to cause mild diarrhea, heartburn, throat irritation, and stomach cramps.

Green Tea

Green tea contains a compound called epigallocatechin-3 gallate (EGCG), which is responsible for its inflammation-reducing properties.

Green tea suppresses the expression of inflammatory proteins and enzymes that cause inflammation.

It’s safe to drink up to 8 cups of green tea daily. However, because green tea contains caffeine, drinking too much can cause caffeine-related side effects, such as restlessness, insomnia, headaches, and dehydration.

Green tea may also interfere with the effectiveness of cholesterol-lowering medications like statins, so it should be used with caution when taking other medications.

Zinc 

Zinc is an important mineral that helps boost the immune system. You can get zinc by eating meat, fish, grains, and dairy products.

Studies have found that a zinc deficiency can contribute to and lead to chronic inflammation. Zinc helps to reduce inflammation by regulating inflammatory proteins and controlling oxidative stress caused by too many harmful free radicals.

Zinc is generally safe, but long-term use, especially in high doses, can lead to suppressed immunity, anemia, and copper deficiency.

If you take other medications, consult your healthcare provider before using zinc, as it interacts with some antibiotics and Hygroton (thiazide diuretics).

Vitamin E

Vitamin E is another fat-soluble vitamin that can be used to manage inflammation. It is found naturally in wheat germ oil, sunflower seeds, peanut oil, and corn oil.

Studies show that vitamin E can help prevent and treat conditions that occur due to inflammation. It acts by decreasing the amount of inflammatory proteins produced by the body.

Vitamin E is generally safe when used in the recommended amount. However, high doses may cause increased bleeding. Vitamin E may also interact with different medications, including blood thinners like Coumadin (warfarin) and some cholesterol-lowering medications, such as Zocor (simvastatin).

Bromelain

Bromelain is an enzyme commonly found in pineapple that breaks down protein. It has been found to reduce inflammation by decreasing the secretion of inflammatory compounds like IL-6 and TNF-α.

Some research suggests bromelain’s inflammation-reducing properties may help manage conditions like osteoarthritis. More studies are needed to confirm this benefit.

Bromelain is generally well-tolerated. However, while using this supplement, you may experience side effects like stomach upset and diarrhea. Some people might also experience allergic reactions like rash and itching.

A Quick Review 

Inflammation is part of the body’s natural immune response to injury or infection. While short-term inflammation can be beneficial, chronic inflammation can increase the risk of health conditions such as cancer, heart disease, and diabetes.

Some studies have found that vitamins C, D, and E and compounds like curcumin, resveratrol, and bromelain can help prevent and manage inflammation.

Talk to your healthcare provider before starting a new supplement, especially if you take other medications or have a health condition.

Source: msn.com©

Common Side-Effects of Supplements used to Manage Inflammation

Inflammation is a normal part of the body’s immune response to pain, injury, or infections. Some studies have found that supplementation with certain vitamins and natural compounds may help prevent or delay inflammation, reducing the development of chronic disease.

These supplements are generally safe and well-tolerated by the body, but some people may experience side effects like diarrhea, nausea, and abdominal cramps, rashes, and stomach upset.

Here are some popular supplements and their possible side effect.

 Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Omega-3 fatty acids have been found to reduce inflammation and may reduce the risk of developing chronic conditions caused by inflammation, such as heart disease and diabetes. You can get omega-3s by eating foods like fatty fish and flaxseed and taking dietary supplements like fish oil.

Omega-3 fatty acid is generally safe, but possible side effects include heartburn, nausea, and diarrhea. Avoid taking this supplement if you take blood thinners like Coumadin (warfarin), as it could worsen bleeding.

Curcumin

Curcumin is an antioxidant compound found in turmeric. It is known for reducing inflammation and fighting infection.

Studies show that curcumin reduces inflammation by blocking processes that lead to inflammation and suppressing markers that signal inflammation, like cytokines. It also enhances compounds that fight off inflammation.

Although curcumin is generally well-tolerated, you may experience side effects like rash, diarrhea, and headaches while using this supplement.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C is well known for its ability to reduce and fight off infections caused by bacteria and viruses.

In addition to fighting infections, vitamin C can reduce inflammation by decreasing the levels of protein compounds that promote inflammation, such as tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6).

Vitamin C supplements are generally safe and well-tolerated by the body, but some people may experience side effects like diarrhea, nausea, and abdominal cramps.

Garlic

Garlic is a root plant used as a spice in most homes. It is popular for its use in managing colds and flu. Garlic may also help reduce inflammation.

Studies show that garlic reduces inflammation by decreasing the levels of inflammatory proteins in the body. It also boosts the immune system, further helping to fight inflammation.

Garlic is generally safe, but some people may avoid it, particularly in the raw form, because it can cause bad breath, body odor, and stomach upset.

Using garlic supplements may also increase the risk of bleeding and should be avoided when taking anticoagulants like Coumadin (warfarin).

Vitamin D

Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin found in eggs, cheese, yogurt, milk, and beef liver. It is also naturally produced when your skin is exposed to sunlight. The amount of vitamin D found in most foods is small, and sunlight exposure is minimal during winter, so supplementation may be beneficial for getting the recommended intake.

Studies show that vitamin D has strong inflammation-reducing properties and can decrease the risk of diseases linked to chronic inflammation. Vitamin D reduces the levels of inflammatory proteins and boosts proteins that help fight inflammation, like interleukin-10 (IL-10).

Vitamin D supplementation is generally safe when used within the recommended dose. Some side effects include muscle weakness, nausea, and vomiting. Vitamin D can be toxic when consumed in very high doses (blood levels greater than 375 nanomoles per liter), leading to conditions like kidney failure, heart disease, or death.

Resveratrol

Resveratrol is a compound found naturally in grapes and blueberries. It has been shown to reduce inflammation, pain, and swelling.

Resveratrol reduces inflammation by decreasing the secretion of inflammatory proteins. Some research suggests that resveratrol might help manage conditions like cancer, diabetes, and heart disease. More studies are needed to confirm these findings.

Resveratrol supplements are safe when taken in the recommended amounts. Higher doses may cause side effects, such as stomach upset, nausea, and diarrhea.

Resveratrol may not be safe for people with hormone-sensitive cancers like breast, uterine, and ovarian cancer, as it may worsen these cancers.

That’s all for today. Tomorrow I’ll cover 5 more popular supplements.

Source: msn.com©

Surprising Effects of Taking Fish Oil Supplements Every Day

 

Note: This article is all about various supplements and the side effects no one tells you about. I bring this to your attention because I take a large amount of fish oil for my high triglyceride level. Here is what I just learned about it.

 Fish Oil

Research shows that omega-3 fatty acids—as in fish oil supplements—may increase the potential risk for atrial fibrillation (a heart rhythm disorder) in people with high blood lipids and is linked to a five times greater likelihood of having a stroke. “Our study suggests that fish oil supplements are associated with a significantly greater risk of atrial fibrillation in patients at elevated cardiovascular risk,” says Dr. Salvatore Carbone of Virginia Commonwealth University, US. “Although one clinical trial indicated beneficial cardiovascular effects of supplementation, the risk for atrial fibrillation should be considered when such agents are prescribed or purchased over the counter, especially in individuals susceptible to developing the heart rhythm disorder.”

Last year, I was diagnosed with a heart murmur. I don’t have a history of any heart problems! I think I need to speak to my doctor, ASAP!

Source: Eat This, Not That©

Source: Surprising Effects of Taking Supplements Every Day, Says Physician (msn.com)

This Popular Supplement Could Be Causing Nightmares

For many, the over-the-counter capsules can be a seemingly harmless way to do everything from boost their system to help promote longevity. But just like any medication, taking a supplement can come with side effects—including causing nightmares. Read on to see which daily dose could be terrorizing your dreams.

Taking high doses of melatonin could be causing you to have nightmares.

When trying to secure a good night’s sleep, many turn to melatonin supplements as an easy remedy or in an attempt to avoid prescription sleep aids. But according to doctors, one of the potential side effects of the bedtime dosage could be causing a different kind of disturbance while you snooze.

“If you go into your local drugstore, most melatonin products are five to 10 milligrams,” Whitney Roban, PhD, a clinical psychologist and sleep specialist, tells Inverse. “Anything over five milligrams has been shown to increase the likelihood of negative side effects like nausea, increased anxiety, and headaches. The side effects I hear about the most are very vivid dreams and nightmares.”

Melatonin can cause longer deep sleep cycles where nightmares and vivid dreams happen.

People turn to melatonin when they’re in search of better slumber because it’s a naturally occurring “sleep hormone” found in the body that regulates the cycles during the day when we feel tired or alert. Because of this, some doctors hypothesize that melatonin could cause more people to fall into a deeper sleep—with some previous studies even finding that it can increase the amount of time in the REM stage where people are most likely to have nightmares.

“If you are spending more time in the stage of sleep where vivid dreams are most likely to occur, this may naturally lead to increases in bad/vivid dreams,” Michelle Drerup, PhD, a behavioral sleep medicine psychologist, tells the Cleveland Clinic.

Studies have found that many melatonin supplements contain different dosages than advertised.

While research is still lacking on why melatonin could be causing nightmares in some who take it, other research has shown that the unregulated nature of the supplement industry could potentially be a factor. In a 2017 study published in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine, researchers found more than 71 percent of supplements tested were not within a ten percent margin of the listed dosage and that 26 percent were found to contain other ingredients such as serotonin. Even within the same production lots, the researchers found that the melatonin content in the product varied by as much as 465 percent.

Besides taking larger doses than necessary, some doctors also warn against taking the supplements for extended periods of time. “Minimal research exists on using melatonin beyond a few months,” Drerup tells the Cleveland Clinic. “In general, melatonin usage has only been deemed safe for up to three months, even though many people take it for much longer.”

You should keep track of your dreams and sleep quality to figure out if melatonin could be causing your nightmares.

Experts point out that some of the nightly side effects of melatonin could be the results of interactions with other medicines or simply what you did during the day. “It’s relative to what else [the person] is taking. That’s the problem with talking about nightmares and dreams: It’s going to be very subjective,” sleep doctor Raj Dasgupta, MD, tells health and wellness website Well + Good. He points out that dreams can also be affected by drinking alcohol, eating certain types of food, or taking other supplements.

Because of this, Dasgupta says keeping track of your sleep and dreams with a retrospective log each morning can help you determine what’s causing you to have nocturnal frights. “On the nights that you did have these nightmares, describe them. Did you take melatonin? Maybe that piece of information—combined with everything else [what you ate and drank, if you exercised, what other supplements you’re taking]—can help you decide to taper or stop.

This article written by Zachary Mack for Best Life©