Safety in Supplements
10:13 AM
Many people turn to supplements to help them lose weight or gain muscle, but are they helping or hurting you? Which supplements are right for you, and what's safe? Registered dietician Erin Palinski explains dietary supplements are regulated by the federal government as a category of food, not as a drug.
"Medications are tested and verified for potency and purity," said Palinski. "With dietary supplements, there is no testing standard, and that's where we can run into issues."
Palinski says you need to be a savvy shopper: read labels and ingredient lists. "Even generally safe supplement ingredients, if you're taking them in too high a dose, can be potentially dangerous," said Palinski.
Leading to things like dehydration, increased risk for kidney stones, and gastrointenstinal issues. One of the most popular supplements for athletes looking to boost their energy is caffeine. "In up to about 300 mg per day, it may help increase athletic performance, but above that amount we can run at the risk, since it's a stimulant, of increasing blood pressure. In very high amounts, it can actually lead to seizures," said Palinski.
Also, keep an eye out for ephedra, which has been banned by the FDA, and check labels for bitter orange, also referred to as synephrine. It is similar to the main chemical in ephedra and the government says there's little evidence it's any safer. "This has been linked with many serious side effects, including stroke, heart attack," said Palinski.
If you choose to use athletic or weight loss supplements, everyone agrees…watch where you buy, stick with reputable brands and retailers. "If a claim for a dietary supplement is too good to be true, then it probably is," said Wallace. When you're shopping for supplements, Palinski recommends looking for products that take part in the USP dietary supplement verification program. A USP seal means the product meets stringent, voluntary standards for safety and purity.
Always, Always, Always check with your doctor before taking any kind of supplement and remember to think food first. You if you are eating a well balanced diet that includes all the different food groups there is usually no need for any extra supplements. When it comes to weight loss instead of turning to a supplement focus on eating a balanced meal plan and exercising regularly.
Excerpts taken from “Are Supplements Safe?” by Fox. Read more: http://www.fox19.com/story/16692069/are-supplements-safe
Best Teen Diets recommends healthy well balanced eating that includes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, protein, and low-fat or fat-free dairy. We offer nutrition information for parents, teens, and educators that emphasizes the importance of healthy eating in teens
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