Govt. List of Risky Supplements

[Guest guest]

Govt. List of Risky Supplements

..c The Associated Press

Some supplements that the government and other experts warn can be risky:

Ephedra: Also called ma huang, epitonin and sida cordifolia, it contains

stimulants known chemically as ephedrine. The Food and Drug Administration

has 900 reports of side effects, including heart palpitations and psychosis,

heart attacks and strokes. Several states have banned ephedrine-containing

supplements. Federal limitations are pending.

Chaparral: Sold as teas and pills to fight cancer and ``purify blood,'' it

has been linked to serious liver damage. FDA has recorded two deaths and 10

cases of hepatitis or other liver abnormalities in users.

Comfrey: Banned in Canada and severely restricted in Germany, comfrey root

originated as a poultice to reduce swelling but later was used internally.

It

contains alkaloids toxic to the liver, and animal studies suggest it is

carcinogenic, said Varro Tyler, an emeritus professor at Purdue University

and author of ``The Honest Herbal.'' FDA knows of one death.

DHEA: A hormone that turns into estrogen and testosterone inside the body.

The National Institutes of Health says there is no evidence that DHEA fights

aging as it claims, and warns that it could increase cancer risk and may

lead

to liver damage even when taken briefly. FDA records show 31 reports of

possible DHEA side effects, from fainting to hepatitis.

''Dieter's teas:'' Herbal blends containing such ingredients as senna - also

known as cassia angustifolia - aloe, rhubarb root, buckthorn, cascara and

castor oil. They act as laxatives that, when consumed in excessive amounts,

can disrupt potassium levels to endanger the heart. The teas are linked to

diarrhea, vomiting, chronic constipation and fainting, and the FDA knows of

four young women who died after excessive consumption. Spurred by California

law, some manufacturers are adopting warning labels.

Pennyroyal: A member of the mint family, it induces abortion. The FDA knows

of one woman who died of cardiac arrest in 1994 while attempting a

pennyroyal

abortion.

Sassafrass: Once a flavoring for root beer, the oil is banned as a U.S. food

additive. But sassafras still is sold as a supplement to make ``tonics'' and

teas. ``It's never been proven to be good for anything,'' Tyler said, but

has

been shown to cause liver cancer in animals.

Other supplements may interact dangerously with medicines:

Eating lots of licorice root, a popular herb also found in some licorice

candies, speeds potentially serious potassium loss when used with laxatives.

Flax seed can delay absorption of medicines.

Kava kava can increase the effects of alcohol and certain psychological

drugs.

High doses of Vitamin E cause bleeding in people taking blood thinners. So

can bromelain, a pineapple enzyme used as a digestive aid.

High doses of vitamins and minerals sold in some supplements also can cause

serious side effects:

Vitamin A: High doses during pregnancy can cause birth defects. Also, doses

of 25,000 International Units a day can cause severe liver injury, headaches

and joint pain.

Vitamin D: Consuming for several months doses 10 times the daily recommended

allotment of 10 micrograms can cause dangerously high calcium levels and

lead

to kidney damage. Early symptoms are vomiting and increased thirst.

Vitamin C: Doses higher than 1,000 milligrams a day can cause diarrhea and

kidney stones.

Iron: One of the most frequent causes of fatal poisonings in children who

take supplements meant for adults. High doses in adults also are linked to

heart disease.

Selenium: Supplements of 5 to 50 milligrams a day can cause nausea, loss of

hair and nails and nerve damage.

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[Guest guest]

Govt. List of Risky Supplements

..c The Associated Press

Some supplements that the government and other experts warn can be risky:

Ephedra: Also called ma huang, epitonin and sida cordifolia, it contains

stimulants known chemically as ephedrine. The Food and Drug Administration

has 900 reports of side effects, including heart palpitations and psychosis,

heart attacks and strokes. Several states have banned ephedrine-containing

supplements. Federal limitations are pending.

Chaparral: Sold as teas and pills to fight cancer and ``purify blood,'' it

has been linked to serious liver damage. FDA has recorded two deaths and 10

cases of hepatitis or other liver abnormalities in users.

Comfrey: Banned in Canada and severely restricted in Germany, comfrey root

originated as a poultice to reduce swelling but later was used internally.

It

contains alkaloids toxic to the liver, and animal studies suggest it is

carcinogenic, said Varro Tyler, an emeritus professor at Purdue University

and author of ``The Honest Herbal.'' FDA knows of one death.

DHEA: A hormone that turns into estrogen and testosterone inside the body.

The National Institutes of Health says there is no evidence that DHEA fights

aging as it claims, and warns that it could increase cancer risk and may

lead

to liver damage even when taken briefly. FDA records show 31 reports of

possible DHEA side effects, from fainting to hepatitis.

''Dieter's teas:'' Herbal blends containing such ingredients as senna - also

known as cassia angustifolia - aloe, rhubarb root, buckthorn, cascara and

castor oil. They act as laxatives that, when consumed in excessive amounts,

can disrupt potassium levels to endanger the heart. The teas are linked to

diarrhea, vomiting, chronic constipation and fainting, and the FDA knows of

four young women who died after excessive consumption. Spurred by California

law, some manufacturers are adopting warning labels.

Pennyroyal: A member of the mint family, it induces abortion. The FDA knows

of one woman who died of cardiac arrest in 1994 while attempting a

pennyroyal

abortion.

Sassafrass: Once a flavoring for root beer, the oil is banned as a U.S. food

additive. But sassafras still is sold as a supplement to make ``tonics'' and

teas. ``It's never been proven to be good for anything,'' Tyler said, but

has

been shown to cause liver cancer in animals.

Other supplements may interact dangerously with medicines:

Eating lots of licorice root, a popular herb also found in some licorice

candies, speeds potentially serious potassium loss when used with laxatives.

Flax seed can delay absorption of medicines.

Kava kava can increase the effects of alcohol and certain psychological

drugs.

High doses of Vitamin E cause bleeding in people taking blood thinners. So

can bromelain, a pineapple enzyme used as a digestive aid.

High doses of vitamins and minerals sold in some supplements also can cause

serious side effects:

Vitamin A: High doses during pregnancy can cause birth defects. Also, doses

of 25,000 International Units a day can cause severe liver injury, headaches

and joint pain.

Vitamin D: Consuming for several months doses 10 times the daily recommended

allotment of 10 micrograms can cause dangerously high calcium levels and

lead

to kidney damage. Early symptoms are vomiting and increased thirst.

Vitamin C: Doses higher than 1,000 milligrams a day can cause diarrhea and

kidney stones.

Iron: One of the most frequent causes of fatal poisonings in children who

take supplements meant for adults. High doses in adults also are linked to

heart disease.

Selenium: Supplements of 5 to 50 milligrams a day can cause nausea, loss of

hair and nails and nerve damage.

______________________________________________________

Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com