Consumer Reports Warns Many Ingredients In Dietary Supplements Can Make You Sick
- 8 years ago
A new Consumer Reports study has identified 15 supplements to avoid due to the potential health risks they pose.
Supplements are extremely popular in the U.S., but a new Consumer Reports study has found that 15 ingredients in the category can cause potential health problems.
Among them is caffeine powder which is touted as a way to lose weight and improve attention, but it has been shown to result in seizures and heart problems in some people.
In fact, the substance has been blamed for the death of high school senior Logan Stiner who died of an overdose.
The list also includes green tea powder extract which is often taken for weight loss but can cause dizziness and higher blood pressure, and kava which is believed to calm the system but can lead to liver damage and impaired driving.
The other ingredients cited by Consumer Reports are aconite, chaparral, coltsfoot, comfrey, germander, greater celandine, lobelia, methylsynephrine, pennyroyal oil, red yeast rice, usnic acid, and yohimbe.
Unlike pharmaceutical drugs, supplements do not require FDA approval before being made available to the public.
They can also contain fillers and have unintended side effects.
Consumer Reports says it consulted with doctors and other experts to identify the 15 substances to avoid.
Supplements are extremely popular in the U.S., but a new Consumer Reports study has found that 15 ingredients in the category can cause potential health problems.
Among them is caffeine powder which is touted as a way to lose weight and improve attention, but it has been shown to result in seizures and heart problems in some people.
In fact, the substance has been blamed for the death of high school senior Logan Stiner who died of an overdose.
The list also includes green tea powder extract which is often taken for weight loss but can cause dizziness and higher blood pressure, and kava which is believed to calm the system but can lead to liver damage and impaired driving.
The other ingredients cited by Consumer Reports are aconite, chaparral, coltsfoot, comfrey, germander, greater celandine, lobelia, methylsynephrine, pennyroyal oil, red yeast rice, usnic acid, and yohimbe.
Unlike pharmaceutical drugs, supplements do not require FDA approval before being made available to the public.
They can also contain fillers and have unintended side effects.
Consumer Reports says it consulted with doctors and other experts to identify the 15 substances to avoid.