Dietary Supplements - Are They Dangerous?

Dietary supplements refer to any health productspresence of microcystin toxin in blue green algae
that can supplement our diet. They include vitamins,dietary supplements. Microcystins are natural toxins
minerals, amino acids, digestive enzymes, Probiotics,from certain strains of blue green algae that can
herbal supplements, glandular extracts and dietarycause liver damage and liver tumors. According to the
fibers etc.research conducted by Health Canada, only one strain
The consumption of dietary supplements has beenof blue green algae, Spirulina, is free from
rising every year. Whereas many people believe thatmicrocystins as Spirulina is harvested from controlled
dietary supplements can improve their health orponds. Most of the non-Spirulina blue green algae
prevent certain diseases, some consumer groups orsupplements are contaminated by microcystins,
medical professionals have warned that dietaryespecially those harvested from natural lakes. Daily
supplements can be dangerous. So, the question is:consumption of these dietary supplements would
are dietary supplements really dangerous?exceed the acceptable level of microcystin intake
Unfortunately, the question does not have a simpleestablished by Health Canada and WHO.
answer.Good manufacturing practice (GMP) is another key
Dietary supplements, by its broad definition, includefactor to safeguard the quality and safety of dietary
thousands of different products. In 2004, Consumersupplements. Dietary supplement manufacturers in
Reports listed 12 potentially dangerous dietarycompliance of GMP standards have to test the
supplements. Many of them are herbal products.identity of raw materials, implement a quality control
Some of these herbs have been used by herbalistsunit, provide expiration date for the finished products,
for hundreds of years and are considered as safe.maintain good records of batch production and
However, when the active substances in these herbswritten procedures, and hire personnel who are
are extracted in pure or concentrated form andtrained to understand and follow GMP. This practice
consumed over prolonged period, they can becan reduce the chance of having batch to batch
dangerous to some people.variation in strength, composition, purity and quality
Many dietary supplements such as vitamins andof finished products.
minerals are safe and can supplement what is missingTo sum up, although most dietary supplements are
in our diet. However, even the benign supplement cansafe when consumed according to the label,
become dangerous in overdose. In local news, aconsumers are advised to educate themselves
woman was reported to give her two teenagebefore taking these supplements. What are the
daughters mega dose of vitamin A for prolongedfunctions of these supplements? How long should I
period, thinking that the supplement is good for thebe taking them? Are they manufactured by reputable
eyes. Both suffered from acute liver failure and onecompanies in compliance of good manufacturing
required a liver transplant to save her life. Vitamin Apractices? Never consume more than the
is not dangerous but mega dose of vitamin A isrecommended dose unless supervised by health care
hepatotoxic. In this case, ignorance itself is dangerous!professionals. If you are pregnant, breast feeding, or
The quality of dietary supplement is also an importantsuffering from pre-existing health conditions, you
factor. The presence of contaminations, such asshould also take extra precaution and consult with
heavy metal, drugs, and toxic substances can makeyour doctors or nutritionists.
a benign supplement dangerous. One example is the