2023-10-04 14:48:54
Overdosing on nutritional supplements can have serious consequences, warns a pharmacologist. While these supplements are widely available in drugstores and supermarkets, they are not without risks. Martin Smollich, a nutritionist and pharmacologist, cautions against the dangers of overdosing on common nutrients.
In Germany alone, the sales of dietary supplements reached almost 1.8 billion euros between April 2021 and March. These supplements are often taken to prevent deficiencies and are available in various forms such as pills and powders.
However, taking these supplements can be risky. Smollich, who conducts research on the medical consequences of dietary supplements at the Institute for Nutritional Medicine at the University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein in Lübeck, advises caution when it comes to “drugstore remedies.”
The risks of overdosing on certain substances can be dangerous. Smollich provides examples such as calcium, vitamin D, vitamin B12, and iodine. While guidelines recommend certain daily doses for these nutrients, many people tend to take a little extra “just to be on the safe side.” However, this can lead to health problems.
For instance, excessive calcium intake can result in constipation, dehydration, cardiac arrhythmias, and kidney stones. Overdosing on vitamin D can cause serious kidney damage, while an overdose of vitamin B12 increases the risk of lung cancer. Excessive intake of iodine can damage the thyroid.
These examples illustrate that natural micronutrients should not be taken in arbitrary quantities. Smollich emphasizes that overdoses are dangerous, even with seemingly harmless drugs from the drugstore. Unlike medications, dietary supplements do not have upper dose limits.
Manufacturers sometimes even promote their products as covering many times the daily requirement of a particular nutrient. Smollich argues against the practice of packing 1000 percent of the daily requirement into a daily dose. Countries like Denmark and France have implemented legally binding maximum quantities for dietary supplements, but Germany only has non-binding recommendations from the Federal Institute for Risk Assessment.
In addition to the risk of overdosing, dietary supplements can also interact with other medications. For example, calcium can inhibit antibiotics, osteoporosis medications, and antihypertensives. International studies suggest that one in five people experience side effects from dietary supplements.
From a legal perspective, dietary supplements are considered food. However, people primarily take them for health reasons, which raises concerns. Smollich argues that if these supplements could truly cure diseases, they would be classified as medicines instead.
While nutritional deficiencies are rare, many people are still inadequately supplied with micronutrients. Smollich suggests that the use of dietary supplements can be beneficial in certain cases, such as when a deficiency has been medically diagnosed through a blood test. Pregnant women, vegans, older people, and individuals lacking vitamin D in winter are examples of risk groups that may benefit from supplementation. However, Smollich advises seeking correction through diet first and resorting to supplements only if necessary.
It is crucial to be cautious when consuming nutritional supplements and to consult with healthcare professionals to avoid potential health risks associated with overdosing and interactions with other medications.]
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