When Supplements Do More Harm Than Good!
Taking vitamins and dietary supplements has become a common part of everyday health routines, but more is not always better. D.r Mohammad Jamalian an internal medicine specialist at Firouzabadi Hospital warns that taking supplements without medical advice particularly at high doses or for long periods can lead to liver and kidney damage, neurological complications and harmful drug interactions. Health psychology specialist Sepideh Khasseh Tarash also highlights the role of anxiety, social media and misleading health beliefs in the growing tendency towards unnecessary supplement use.
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When Supplements Do More Harm Than Good!
Phrases such as "I take vitamin D to keep my bones strong", "I take zinc to prevent hair loss" and "I take B-complex vitamins for more energy" have become familiar parts of everyday life. While these choices are often made with the intention of protecting health they can sometimes be based on the mistaken belief that taking more nutrients will automatically lead to better health.
Micronutrients are essential for many of the body's normal functions, but individual requirements vary according to age, nutritional status, underlying health conditions and physiological needs. Taking more than the body needs does not necessarily provide additional benefits and may in some cases disturb the body's metabolic balance.
D.r Jamalian stressed that the fact that a nutrient is essential does not mean that taking large amounts of it is safe.“Improper use of supplements, particularly at high doses or over long periods can cause a range of clinical complications,” he said.Excessive vitamin D intake for example can increase calcium levels in the blood.
This may lead to calcium deposits and in severe cases serious kidney damage or kidney failure. Long term use of high doses of vitamin B6 can cause nerve toxicity and peripheral neuropathy with symptoms including tingling, numbness in the hands and feet and problems with balance.
D.r Jamalian also warned about the effects of taking excessive amounts of certain minerals. Too much zinc can interfere with the absorption of copper in the intestine potentially leading to anaemia and neurological problems.Taking iron supplements without first checking whether there is an actual iron deficiency can also be a mistake. Fatigue and weakness are not always caused by low iron levels and may instead be linked to thyroid problems chronic sleep disorders underlying medical conditions or psychological stress.
Vitamin A, particularly in the form of retinol can also become harmful when it accumulates in the liver and may cause cellular toxicity. In pregnant women excessive vitamin A intake can increase the risk of serious birth defects.
D.r Jamalian noted that products that appear harmless are not necessarily safe. Herbal products, weight loss products, sports supplements and combination products are sometimes considered completely safe simply because they are described as "natural".“Liver toxicity and reduced kidney function associated with these products have repeatedly been seen in clinical settings,” he said.
He added that normal routine laboratory test results at one point in time do not guarantee that continued use of such products will remain safe in the future.Another concern is the interaction between supplements and medicines. D.r Jamalian explained that changes in vitamin K intake can affect the effectiveness of the anticoagulant warfarin. Minerals such as calcium and zinc can also significantly reduce the absorption of medicines such as levothyroxine and some antibiotics. In addition some herbal supplements can interact with heart medicines or blood thinning drugs and increase the risk of bleeding.
For this reason, patients should tell their doctor about all the products they take including vitamins supplements and medicines purchased without a prescription.
D.r Jamalian identified several groups who should be particularly cautious about taking supplements without medical advice. These include people with chronic kidney or liver disease older adults taking several medicines at the same time pregnant women and those planning a pregnancy people with malabsorption syndromes & patients with a history of kidney stones or disorders affecting calcium metabolism and athletes who use several nutritional or performance supplements.
For these groups he emphasised any use of supplements should be based on appropriate clinical assessment and where necessary laboratory testing.
The psychological side of excessive supplement use
Sepideh Khasseh Tarash a health psychology specialist at Firouzabadi Hospital said the growing use of supplements is not simply a medical issue. People's beliefs fears personal experiences and exposure to media messages can all influence their decisions.
“Behind the regular use of vitamin tablets, there is often anxiety about becoming ill concern about ageing fear of hair loss or worry about losing physical strength,” she said.In such situations taking a supplement can become more than a nutritional choice. It may provide temporary relief from anxiety and give a person a sense of control when faced with uncertainty.
Khasseh Tarash also explained that descriptions such as "natural" strengthening or suitable for everyone can create a false sense of safety. Such labels may cause people to overlook the actual risks of a product or because it is available without a prescription fail to mention its use to their doctor.
She stressed the importance of critical thinking when making decisions about supplements. Instead of relying on the experiences of friends and relatives or promotional content on social media people should consider whether there is a clear medical reason for taking a particular product.Before starting a supplemen, Khasseh Tarash recommends asking several basic questions: What specific problem am I trying to address? Has its underlying cause been identified through a reliable clinical assessment? Have lifestyle measures such as improving sleep following a balanced diet and maintaining regular physical activity been considered? And have I discussed the need for the supplement and its possible effects with a doctor or pharmacist?
Taking this more careful approach can help people move away from using supplements simply to manage anxiety and towards making informed decisions that genuinely support their physical and mental wellbeing.
KhassehTarash concluded that health cannot be measured by the number of capsules tablets or other health products a person takes. Rather, it is reflected in how thoughtfully we respond to changes and warning signs from our bodies.
Every clinical symptom may carry an important message and should first be properly investigated. Rather than trying to hide symptoms through unnecessary supplement use identifying their underlying cause can help prevent delayed diagnosis and protect valuable time for appropriate treatment.
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