A pharmacist has taken to social media to warn people that there are three types of supplements that they should avoid – as they could be dangerous
A pharmacist has taken to social media with an urgent warning regarding the perilous errors people make when consuming supplements, suggesting some should carry a warning to avoid risky mistakes.
A TikTok video by Ariana Medizade (@thewellnesspharm), which racked up more than 138,000 views, details “how to take supplements the right way.”
In her one-minute clip, she cautions with a pop-up message: “STOP MAKING THESE DANGEROUS SUPPLEMENT MISTAKES.”
She unveils three specific supplements she’d steer clear of, declaring: “There should be a warning label on supplements for this, but I would never take vitamin D3 by itself. You always have to take vitamin D3 with K2.”
Medizade points out the hazard of taking vitamin D3 solo, which could result in calcium absorption in unwanted areas like the arteries, rather than bones. “This can lead to calcification and other long term health issues,” she warns.
As per BetterYou’s guidance, mixing vitamin D3 with K2 ensures easy calcium absorption into bone tissue and wards off arterial calcification.
K2 is vital for controlling normal blood clotting, while D3 bolsters the immune system and muscle function. The website notes the challenge in obtaining ample amounts of these key nutrients from diet alone as few individuals consume K2-rich foods.
Medizade also warned against the use of St John’s Wort, a supplement often taken to alleviate depression, menopausal symptoms and anxiety. She cautioned that those on other medications, including but not limited to oral contraceptives and antidepressants, should reconsider before taking this supplement.
St John’s Wort can cause “breakthrough bleeding, follicle growth, and ovulation” when combined with other drugs. It also contains a “CYP3A4 inducer,” which accelerates medication metabolism and can essentially negate their effects.
The National Institutes of Health has identified several CYP3A4 inducers, including “barbiturates (phenobarbital), carbamazepine, corticosteroids, phenytoin, rifampicin and St John’s wort.”
Medizade further advises her viewers against taking zinc and magnesium at the same time as these two minerals “compete for absorption” “You’re just wasting your money,” she remarks.
Zinc and magnesium are among the seven essential minerals the others being iron, calcium, iodine, silica and selenium required for maintaining good health. BetterYou suggests that it’s generally safe to take these two supplements together, but there is one combination that should be avoided.
It states: “As zinc can interact with other minerals (calcium and iron, for example) and vitamins, you need to be aware of how combining them can impair your body’s ability to absorb them.”
“You should avoid taking zinc and copper together zinc, particularly in high doses, can stop your body absorbing copper and potentially lead to a deficiency. In some people, it can also cause bones to weaken.”
Medizade’s advice was a hit with the crowd, with people expressing their gratitude for her sharing the tips. One user responded: “The way I just realized at 39yrs old how I prob ended up preggo at 18 ON BC, my mom had me taking St John’s for anxiety.”
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