Taking dietary supplements can be beneficial for your health, but it is important to be aware of the potential risks. Adverse reactions to dietary supplements can range from mild to severe, and even fatal. Skin rashes, shortness of breath, diarrhea, severe joint or muscle pain, difficulty speaking, and blood in the urine are all potential side effects of taking supplements. Low-quality dietary supplements can be a major cause of adverse reactions. A study published in The New England Journal of Medicine found that an average of 23,000 emergency department visits per year were due to adverse effects from supplements.
Minerals such as iron, zinc, and calcium, as well as vitamins B, C, and E can all cause adverse reactions. In a 10-year study, researchers analyzed data from 63 hospital emergency departments to estimate the number of emergency visits related to dietary supplement side effects. A survey was conducted with 70,000 randomly selected people enrolled in Macromill Inc. research. Of those surveyed, 8.8% reported experiencing adverse events due to dietary supplements.
These data suggest that adverse events occur more frequently when people use dietary supplements to treat their diseases. It is important for consumers to be aware of the risks associated with taking dietary supplements and to report any adverse events to a doctor or pharmacist. Consumers should also report serious adverse events related to dietary supplements to public health centers so that they can be reported to the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW).When taking dietary supplements, it is important to be aware of the potential risks and take steps to minimize them. Be sure to read labels carefully and consult with a doctor or pharmacist before taking any supplement. Additionally, look for high-quality products that have been tested for safety and efficacy.
