Select Dietary Supplement Illnesses and Injuries
People take dietary supplements to try and keep themselves healthy but many supplements are actually dangerous. It’s important to understand these supplements before you actually take them because the wrong supplements can cause illnesses and injuries. Here is a list of some of the most common dietary supplements.
I. Herbals
Herbal supplements are made out of typical herbs.
A. Chaparral (Larrea tridentata)
Chaparral is a shrub that grows in Mexico and parts of the US. It’s meant to cleanse the body and help prevent illnesses like urinary tract infections, ulcers, or cancer. It’s available in capsule, tablet and tincture form. It’s no longer FDA approved and many retailers no longer sell chaparral in the US.
B. Comfrey (Symphytum officinale (common comfrey)
Comfrey is a type of poultice that’s meant to be externally applied. It effectively treats wounds that don’t heal well on their own, like bedsores, ulcers, and staph infections. It’s no longer FDA approved and it cannot be legally sold in the US.
C. Yohimbe (Pausinystalia yohimbe)
Yohimbe is a tree bark that is marketed towards body-building or “increasing male performance.” It’s commonly found as a prescription drug in the US and can be found in tablet form, so it is FDA approved, but only on a prescription-based basis.
D. Lobelia (Lobelia inflata)
Also called Indian tobacco, this plant is thought to help curb nicotine cravings. It’s available in liquid extract form, dried for tears or in tinctures. Since 1993, the sale of these products in the US has been prohibited.
E. Germander (Teucrium genus)
Germander is actually a general name referring to a group of plants that are available in medical teas, tablets, or caplets. It’s used to clear obstructions from the liver, spleen, or kidneys. The French ministry of health has banned it and the FDA has warned about it.
F. Willow Bark (Salix species)
Willow bark is used as a pain killer and fever reducer, as an aspirin alternative. It’s used in dried form or in tincture form. It should not be given to children under 16. The FDA has marked it as a “serious health concern.”
G. Jin Bu Huan
This Chinese herb is used for insomnia caused by pain, ulcers, coughs, and other pain-related problems. It can be found in tablet form but its long-term use causes liver damage so it’s under an FDA warning and not sold legally in the US.
H. Herbal products containing Stephania and Magnolia species
More Chinese herbs, plants that fall into this category are usually used as a dietary supplement. It is not FDA approved to be used or sold in any form because it causes rapidly progressing dialysis.
I. Ma Huang
This is the general name for a group of supplements that are used in special teas used as a form of weight control. However, they caused a variety of negative effects and have been banned in any and all forms in the US.
II. Amino Acids
Amino acid supplements are typically marketed as dietary supplements and are most often found in powder forms. They are used for body-building as well.
A. L-tryptophan
L-tryptophan is an amino acid found naturally in most foods, especially red meat and eggs. When used as a dietary supplement, it’s also a sleep aid. It has since been banned in the United States by the FDA and cannot be sold due to the high number of deaths associated with its use.
B. Phenylalanine
An acid that is used to treat depression, arthritis, menstrual cramps, Parkinson’s disease, and cancer, it is commonly found in tablet form. Its use is FDA approved in the US but heavily regulated.
III. Vitamins and Minerals
Vitamins and minerals are found naturally in most foods but some people require supplements to replace what they’re not getting.
A. Vitamin A
Vitamin A is commonly used in dietary supplements. In pill form, it’s often used by vegetarians to replace the Vitamin A they aren’t getting from meat or eggs. Vitamin A is FDA approved and pills can be found all over the US.
B. Vitamin B6
Vitamin B6 is also found in pill form and FDA approved. It’s supplemented to maintain healthy skin and muscle tone, and promote cell growth. Vitamin B6 is also used to increase the rate of metabolism.
C. Niacin (nicotinic acid and nicotinamide)
This vitamin, like others, comes in pill form although it must be taken in small doses. Typically, it’s used to reduce cholesterol and it also blocks the breakdown of fats in tissue. It is FDA approved.
D. Selenium
This trace mineral is only required in small amounts and can be bought as tablets. It acts as a kind of anti-oxidant. Selenium has been used to prevent cancer and to slow down the progression of HIV/AIDS. It’s also believed to protect the heart. It is FDA approved.
IV. Other Products Marked as Dietary Supplements
A. Germanium
Germanium is actually an element. Many other supplement plants contain germanium. It increases oxygen in the body. Germanium is used to help prevent and treat cancer in humans although no proof has ever been offered. It’s most often taken as a good supplement. It is not FDA approved.
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