| Before
you load up on your morning vitamins or grab that trendy
new bottle of juice, you might want to check their effectiveness.
A new report that looks at six supplements shows that
not all of them are created equal.
And
remember: A supplement will only help if you have a
deficiency of that substance in the first place, and
be aware that these are serious medications with potentially
serious side effects. If you are taking any of these,
talk with your doctor before discontinuing their use.
Go
Ahead
Co-enzyme
Q10: This supplement is currently being studied
for its effects on congestive heart failure, migraine
headaches, and even reduction of Parkinson’s disease
symptoms.
On
The Fence
Pomegranate
juice: It contains more antioxidants and polyphenols
than blueberries, cranberries, green tea, or red wine,
and they may help fight off cancer and reduce high cholesterol.
But just like grapefruit juice, pomegranate juice appears
to interfere with an enzyme that’s critical to
the body’s ability to properly metabolize many
common medications. Before you drunk pomegranate juice,
be sure to find out if it interferes with any medications
you may be taking.
Black
cohosh: This herbal remedy is for hot flashes,
but some studies show it’s no better than a placebo
and, when taken in combination with some other supplements,
may be linked to liver problems.
Stay
Away
Fat
burners: The report recommends you do not take
any of them, even the “safe” ones. While
the Food and Drug Administration has banned ephedra,
some other fat burners have another ingredient, 5-htp,
which has been linked to severe side effects like gastrointestinal
problems, muscle pain, and joint inflammation.
Yohimbe-free
erectile dysfunction supplements: Some of these
have ingredients such as horny goat weed, which can
have serious side effects such as dizziness, vomiting,
and breathing problems.
Noni
juice: Made from morinda, a Polynesian tropical
fruit, it’s supposed to contain something called
proxeronine. However, this is not a known chemical compound.
And there haven’t been any studies of noni juice
to back up the claims that it will enhance “cellular
performance”. |