When it comes to taking supplements, it's important to be aware of the potential risks of mixing them with other medications or supplements. While some combinations can be beneficial, others can be dangerous and even life-threatening. Let's take a look at five combinations of supplements you should avoid. One of the most common reactions between foods and medications is the interaction between multivitamins and blood-thinning medications.
Vitamin K, which is found in foods such as kale, lettuce, broccoli, and chickpeas, can counteract the benefits of an anticoagulant. This means that if you are taking a blood-thinning medication, you should avoid taking multivitamins. Another supplement to be aware of is echinacea, a popular cold remedy. When taken with blood thinners, it can decrease their effectiveness and increase the risk of stroke.
If you are taking antibiotics, especially those in the tetracycline family, you should avoid taking iron supplements as well. The iron can attenuate the effects of the antibiotics and reduce their effectiveness. To avoid this interaction, make sure to space out the two when taking them. Omega-3 fish oil supplements can be beneficial for controlling inflammation and improving mood, but when taken with blood-thinning herbs such as ginkgo biloba or garlic, they can prevent clotting and cause uncontrolled bleeding.
Finally, if you are taking any type of supplement or combination of supplements and experience any negative side effects, you should stop using the supplement and consult a healthcare provider. The Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA) requires that dietary supplement manufacturers and distributors ensure that their products are safe before they are marketed. If a dietary supplement contains certain new dietary ingredients, the manufacturer must submit data on the safety of that ingredient for review by the FDA before it is marketed. If you are not sure about the combination of supplements or the combination of supplements and medications you are taking, you should ask a healthcare provider to evaluate the combination for any potential hazards. While mixing supplements can be overwhelming at first, it's important to keep your regimen simple and set yourself up for success.
