Progressively more numbers of people are being lured by the prospects of magic pills touting optimal health. But most of them are unaware of what perils are linked to the use of various vitamin supplements.

Potassium

Ample amounts of potassium are necessary for optimal bone health maintenance and smooth running of the body. Potassium health pills are mostly used by insulin resistant, arthritic people or women in menopause phase experiencing bothersome symptoms like moodiness and weariness.

Likely Side effects

Potassium intake in higher dosages as supplements could cause grave side effects like flawed cardiac beat – a condition known as arrhythmia and could also be terminal.

An Oregon State Univ. study has additionally associated potassium supplement intake with muscular weakening, perplexity, abdominal pains and lack of sensations in the hand, feet or oral region.

Also potassium supplements have been found to cause an adverse reaction with several medications and must not be used by people ailing from cardiovascular or kidney ailments, those who are acutely dehydrated or having hypertension.

Individuals in the older age bracket who mostly have high potassium levels in their body must steer clear from taking its supplemental version as kidney functioning depletes with aging.

Melatonin

Innate melatonin is a sleep-regulating hormone manufactured by the brain’s pineal gland. Melatonin supplements could help in controlling snooze-wake up cycle and are recommended for people suffering from any sleep disorder. Melatonin supplement makers in Britain aver about its sleep benefiting properties and hence it is approved as a medication obtained solely by prescription in that area whereas liberally obtainable in the United States.

Likely Side Effects

The myriad side-effects associated with intake of melatonin supplements comprise of dramatic dreaming, headaches, weariness, augmented blood pressure, lowered sex drive & fertility, lesser body temperatures and depression.

An everyday dosage of one to three milligrams of melatonin supplement raises its levels in the body by twenty-folds the regular level. Also Britain-based trials on the efficacy of melatonin in treatment of jet lag continue to be inconsistent.

Calcium

Calcium is vital to the development and preservation of healthful teeth, bone; ideal nerve & hormone functioning; muscle contractions and blood clotting. Females mostly take calcium supplements for boosting bone health.

Likely Side-effects

Aberdeen, Australian Univ. studies published in July are reflective of other researches in uncovering a thirty percent augmented risk of heart attack in females who took calcium supplements – majority of the users being women in their post-menopause and keen on evading osteoporosis. This augment is because of the possibility of these supplements hastening blood vessel stiffening.

Physicians who are part of a 2008 conducted N. Zealand trial recommend females who are seventy years or more to not use calcium supplements.

Read More At: The Toxic Reality Behind Vitamin Supplements – Part I

In the recent past, sales of health pills have skyrocketed. It is an ever-expanding market which makers have uncovered and are ready to shell out millions promoting their products.

Since health pills are manufactured from innate constituents or imitate those created by the body hence many individuals presume that they are not detrimental to health.

Since the health supplement business is not regulated hence it is not compulsory for makers to list likely side effects and such products also do not pass through rigorous expensive scientific trials.

With a couple of exemptions like folic acid is advisable for females attempting conception and comes under the category food. However increasing the dosage of folic acid from 400mcg for strengthening conception chances to five milligrams for anemics and other health problems then turns it to a drug necessitating permit. In other cases there is no checking necessary for protecting end users which is a worrisome trend.

Health pills carry potential ill-effects like having lethal outcomes in case used with some drugs or in elevated amounts. Also health supplements recommended by physicians are not totally devoid of risk – for instance reports of calcium supplement intake mostly advised for osteoporosis can augment likelihood of suffering heart attack by thirty percent.

Not merely the key constituent but other components of the pill like its casing or binding agents could cause problems.

Outlined herewith are a number of health supplements carrying potentially harmful side-effects that one may not locate on the package listing.

Glucosamine

A health supplement derived from the shell of lobsters and crabs (contraindicated for those allergic to sea food) is mostly used for allaying niggling symptoms among arthritic patients.

Likely Side-effects

Tummy upsets, feeling constipated, loose bowels, headaches, rashes and the supplement could additionally have an adverse reaction with diabetes therapies and increase levels of blood glucose. Glucosamine has also been found to negatively interact with blood-thinners like warfarin and people with clotting disorders must not take the duo concurrently. The health pill could additionally lead to bloating as it draws water.

Kelp

A health supplement derived from sea-weed – a lushly developing aquatic algal form growing to 2 feet in a single day and widespread in the N. Californian coastline. It is high in many mineral and trace element forms inclusive of iodine – whose deficit in the body could lead to thyroid malfunctioning. Kelp is promoted as a therapy for tackling imbalanced thyroid either due to excessive or under production of the thyroid gland.

Likely Side-effects

Research has associated kelp to an augmented likelihood of thyroid conditions. Since it additionally thins blood hence must not be coalesced with aspirin or hypertension drugs. Also kelp harvesting is being done from contaminated waters and a 2007 trial by Univ. of California scientists noted elevated amounts of arsenic in 8 from 9 kelp supplements. Arsenic has been associated with headache, hair fall, bafflement and sleepiness.