Do you love food supplements? Be careful, some should be taken with caution and some should never be combined. Discover our tips for avoiding accidents.
To lose weight, boost your immunity or even improve the quality of your skin: food supplements, presented in the form of capsules, pills, ampoules, powder in sachets and even chewing gum, are increasingly available. many. But be careful, some associations are particularly dangerous. Explanations.
Beware of side effects!
Although they may present certain benefits, food supplements composed of vitamins and minerals are not without risks.
Too high a dosage of iron can thus lead to digestive disorders and an excess of folic acid can reduce the effectiveness of the immune system and in exceptional cases promote certain cancers, just like beta-carotene. In fact, and even if they are not subject to marketing authorization like medicines, food supplements must be taken with caution.
Certain substances should also not be combined.
It’s about :
- Green tea and iron
“Green tea is an iron chelator. In other words, it limits the absorption of iron“, affirms Dr. Kierzek.
- Melatonin and sedative plants
“Both have sedative effects which may increase side effects“, relates the medical director of TipsForWomens.
- ADEK vitamins with medications
“Fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E and K can interact with medications, so be careful!” warns the doctor.
The Vidal site specifies for its part that chitosan, a food supplement proposed for the prevention of excess cholesterol, “disrupts the absorption of vitamins A, D, E and K, that of certain minerals such as zinc and that of other supplements such as flavonoids“.
When it comes to food supplements, what is the right attitude to adopt?
When it comes to preventing deficiencies, taking it must always be done under medical supervision.
“Whatever your situation, taking a food supplement is not trivial. Always follow the instructions for use indicated in its instructions and the recommended daily doses.“, warns the government site Bercy infos.
If in doubt, particularly regarding an interaction with a diet and/or drug treatment, it is necessary to ask a healthcare professional.
Vegans should in particular seek advice from their doctor about taking vitamin B12 supplements, which is usually found in products of animal origin and which contributes to the functioning of the nervous system and the formation of red blood cells.
For his part, Dr Kierzek recommends always opting for a short course, on medical advice (pharmacist or doctor). Daily intakes must be respected.
“During a medical appointment, you must also list all supplements and medications consumed. This is essential!“, he concludes.
