Natural drugs aren’t necessary safe. Don’t make that mistake.

According to a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine, the use of dietary supplements sends an estimated 23,000 Americans to the emergency department each year. Approximately 25 percent of the ER visits that were supplement related were by adults who were using herbal weight loss products. Another 10 percent were caused by adults consuming “energy products” (although people using energy drinks were excluded from the study). Most of the people came in complaining of cardiac symptoms: palpitations, chest pain or rapid heart rate. Not all preparations that caused problems were for weight loss or improved energy. In 2007, there was a report of 10 cases of fulminant liver failure caused by products marketed by the Herbalife® corporation. Other supplements containing green tea extract have been linked to liver failure. Recently, former NBA star, Lamar Odom, was found unresponsive after reportedly taking Reload a supplement sold for sexual enhancement that contains Viagra. For something that’s supposed to be “healthy” and non-toxic, that’s a lot of ER visits, and a lot of side effects. Granted, it doesn’t hold a candle to estimated 18,000 deaths caused annually by prescription opiates, but still supplements are supposed to be healthy, and not cause any problems, right? However, a quick survey of the literature is replete with studies showing adverse reactions from herbal supplements alone or between herbal supplements and medications. And the problem o...
Source: Kevin, M.D. - Medical Weblog - Category: Journals (General) Authors: Tags: Meds Medications Primary care Source Type: blogs