Natural health supplements are an important part of maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Along with an active lifestyle and well-rounded diet, supplements can be the missing element to optimal health. However, there are some key interactions that you need to be aware of. Certain supplements have the ability to cause harmful side effects if they are taken together. Read on for a list of some of the most dangerous supplement combinations that should be avoided.
Vitamin K and Vitamin E & A
Vitamin K is pertinent in one’s daily routine, as it prevents heart disease and strengthens bones. It also plays a large role in your body’s ability to form blood clots. While not the most dangerous interaction, high doses of vitamin E and vitamin A may counteract the effects of vitamin K. It is recommended that this combination is avoided in order to allow your body to form proper blood clots when necessary.
Ginkgo Biloba and Fish Oil Supplements
Both of these herbs thin the blood and reduce blood clots. They are safer than many other prescription blood thinners. However, if they are used together, they thin the blood too much. This is dangerous because a person could develop uncontrollable bleeding if they are injured or they have to have surgery.
Motherwort and Calcium Supplements
Those who have hyperthyroidism suffer from an overproduction of thyroid hormones in their body because their thyroid gland is malfunctioning. So to control it, some people take motherwort to slow the thyroid gland down some. However, if calcium supplements are taken with motherwort, they can block the absorption of the herbal remedy. So the hyperthyroidism could worsen. Calcium can also block the absorption of supplements that are used for increasing thyroid production in people who have slow thyroids.
St. John’s Wort and Kava Kava Supplements
These two herbal remedies reduce depression by increasing serotonin levels that are too low. They cannot be taken together because this could increase the levels too much, which could lead to serotonin syndrome. Serotonin syndrome is a dangerous condition that requires hospitalization because it causes confusion, disorientation, and high blood pressure.
Vitamin D and Hawthorn Berry Extract Supplements
Vitamin D lowers blood pressure, so it can’t be used with hawthorn berry extract because this herb affects the heart too. These two supplements also shouldn’t be taken together because they are both diuretics. Hawthorn berry extract is often used by patients who have a build-up of fluid in their body because they have congestive heart failure. The extract flushes the extra fluid and waste out of the body, so there is less strain on the heart and lungs. It works well by itself, so there is no need to take any other diuretic with it.
Natural supplements are a great way to stay healthy the natural way. But even the best all natural supplements shouldn’t be used without consulting a doctor first, especially if you also take prescription medications with them.
