Are You Overdosing on Your Supplements?

If you study people who have lived to be centenarians, you won’t find too many who pop a bunch of supplements. We’ve been brainwashed to believe that in order to be healthy we need to down handfuls of vitamins and minerals, do cleanses, and deprive ourselves of the types of foods that give us pleasure. It’s important to realize we may be toxifying ourselves rather than detoxifying by taking an overdose of supplements. In doing so, we may be cutting our lifespan, rather than extending it.

I remember taking a woman’s supplement that I found at a local health food store. After gulping the “1 pill a day” that promised to give me everything I needed as a woman, I started to feel nauseous. I looked more carefully at the label and found that most of the vitamins and minerals in the capsule far exceeded the recommended daily dose  No wonder I wanted to hurl!

My pee was bright yellow when I went to the bathroom. That’s a sure sign I’d taken more than I needed. The danger of an overdose of supplements is that it can cause liver damage. The same thing can happen with high concentration green drinks, protein powders, and herbal concoctions if you’re not careful.

Don’t get me wrong. I believe in natural remedies and healthy alternatives. In fact, I avoid prescription drugs as much as possible and only take them if I have no other choice. There are some supplements I’m a big fan of like grape seed extract when I have an allergy attack. It makes me feel better almost immediately.

I’ve also found an essential oil I believe’ has prevented me from catching a cold for years. It’s called Thieves Oil and was developed by herbalists during the plague who used to rob the dead bodies of the unfortunate souls who died. I have no idea how it works.  I just dab a little on my wrists or on the bottom of my feet. I’ve been around people who’ve had the flu, colds, and who knows what else and stayed healthy. To be honest, I’m almost afraid when I forget to use it.

But. . .  getting back to preventing an overdose of supplements

Chris Hanson from Dateline TV did a show where a woman started losing her hair because there was too much selenium in her green drink.  Scary!  Testing for most so-called health foods isn’t well regulated. If you do take supplements, go easy on them. Better yet, have a blood or urine test to find out what your body is actually missing. We’re not a one size fits all. Everyone’s body is different.

The best solution is to eat “real food” that will give you the vitamins and minerals you need.

Take a look at my “Eat Smart, Feel Good, Live Longer Food Pyramid” HERE.

Supplements to Watch Out For

Aloe Vera – taken internally may interact with blood sugar-lowering medicines used to treat diabetes.

Bitter Orange – contains chemicals that can speed heart rate and increase blood pressure to dangerous levels.

Ginseng – can interact with warfarin and some antidepressant drugs

Kava – can cause liver damage including hepatitis and liver failure.

Licorice Root – may cause high blood pressure, salt and water retention, and raise the risk of heart problems.

Melatonin – can increase bleeding risk if you’re on blood thinners.

Saint John’s Wort – can reduce the effectiveness of a variety of medications.  Check with your doctor/pharmacist.

Vitamin K – also interacts with Warfarin.

Yohimbe – is used to treat erectile dysfunction in some herbal treatments.  It can cause seizures, severe low blood pressure or heart problems.

Zinc – can cause nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, headaches and may interact with medications.

Be particularly careful taking supplements for bodybuilding, weight loss, and sexual enhancement.

Supplements from A – Z From AARP

Are there supplements that you believe are worth taking or have you had problems with certain types? Please leave a comment below and share your story.