The Dangers of Self-Prescribing Supplements: Toxicity, Medication Interactions, and Nutrient Imbalances Explained
In a previous article I wrote about the difference between practitioner only and off the shelf supplements and why it matters. You can check it out here. In this article I wanted to explore why self prescribing isn’t as simple as “this supplement has a health benefit I want and therefore I will order online and take”.
I am seeing an increase in people ordering things they shouldn’t be online. Ordering from the USA or via some not so ethical means to get their hands on practitioner only supplements and herbs.
There are a few reasons why this is an issue. Firstly the toxicity component, secondly the risk of certain supplements and herbs clashing with your medications and thirdly the disrupting the balance between vitamins and minerals.
Toxicity
So firstly let’s talk about toxicity and how overdosing on vitamins and supplements can have adverse effects on your health, despite their beneficial properties.
It is essential to understand that while vitamins and minerals are necessary for bodily functions, excessive and long term intake can lead to toxicity. Vitamin A is a nutrient that can be toxic in high doses, causing symptoms like nausea, dizziness, and even liver damage. Similarly, an excess of vitamin D can lead to hypercalcemia, resulting in kidney stones, nausea, and fatigue. Vitamin E, when consumed excessively, can interfere with blood clotting, leading to haemorrhages. Certain minerals like iron can be dangerous when overdosed, potentially causing gastrointestinal distress, organ damage, or even death. Long term use of zinc can lead to issues such as copper deficiency, impaired immune function, and digestive issues.
The clash
Next up is the issue that it’s not uncommon for herbs and supplements to be contraindicated with other medications. This means, they shouldn’t be taken together as they can disrupt efficacy of your medication as well as make everything much more heightened. Common medications like SSRI’s are particularly prone to this. Below are a few examples of herbs and supplements that shouldn’t be taken with your SSRI.
St. John's Wort: This herbal supplement is known to increase serotonin levels in the brain and can have similar effects to SSRIs. Combining St. John's Wort with SSRIs can result in a condition called serotonin syndrome, which can cause symptoms like agitation, confusion, rapid heartbeat, and increased blood pressure.
5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) is a supplement that is converted into serotonin in the brain. Taking 5-HTP along with SSRIs can increase the risk of serotonin syndrome.
S-adenosylmethionine (SAMe) is a naturally occurring compound that is sometimes used as a dietary supplement to support mood. When combined with SSRIs, SAMe may increase the risk of serotonin syndrome.
Ginkgo biloba is an herbal supplement that is sometimes used for cognitive enhancement. It has the potential to decrease the effectiveness of SSRIs by increasing the metabolism of the medication.
Kava is an herb often used for its calming effects. Combining kava with SSRIs can increase the risk of excessive sedation and may potentially worsen symptoms of depression.
Valerian root is commonly used as a natural sleep aid. When taken with SSRIs, it can increase the risk of excessive drowsiness and dizziness.
Ginseng is an herbal supplement known for its potential energy-boosting properties. It may interact with SSRIs and potentially increase the risk of overstimulation or agitation.
Passionflower is often used for its calming and anxiety-relieving effects. Combining passionflower with SSRIs may increase the risk of sedation and drowsiness.
This is why before I prescribe anything to anyone I do a complete audit of what medications my clients are taking and check for any adverse interactions.
Disrupting the balance
Last up is disrupting the balance between vitamins and minerals. Nature is beautiful and our bodies are so smart. So when we start taking a supplement to gain the therapeutic benefits from it, it can mess up the balance. A few common examples include:
Excessive calcium and zinc intake can hinder the absorption of iron from the diet, leading to iron deficiency (antagonist relationship). While Vitamin C helps to absorb iron by enhancing the absorption in the gastrointestinal tract (agonist relationship).
Vitamin D helps to increase the bioavailability of calcium and helps with the absorption by bone tissues (agonist) whereas magnesium and zinc both reduce the absorption of calcium (antagonist).
Excessive zinc intake can interfere with copper absorption, potentially causing copper deficiency (antagonist).
Hopefully by now you can see there’s a lot more to prescribing and taking supplements and herbs. My philosophy is always try to maintain a balanced and varied diet and if we do need to support you through supplementation, let’s work together to avoid potential interactions and imbalances and get you taking the best form so you don’t waste your time and money.
If you would like to work with me, you can book an initial naturopathic appointment by clicking here. I would love to meet you have help you on your healing journey.