Labels on supplements promise great things like weight loss, great skin, shiny hair, and overall good health, but some end up hurting you. To maintain a healthy heart, a number of things are needed, such as a balanced diet, exercise, not smoking, and managing stress. Taking dietary supplements may seem like another way to stay healthy, but some increase your risk of heart attack. Eat This, Not That Health spoke with ryan barry, DO, Noninvasive Cardiology at Staten Island University Hospital who shares three supplements that can harm your heart and why. Read on and to ensure your health and the health of others, don’t miss these Sure signs you’ve already had COVID.
Dr. Barry reveals: “Supplements generally have little or no regulation. Although some companies may state that they are verified, the levels of active ingredients or other additives in most supplements are not known. They Nor are they rigorously studied for safety and effectiveness.The FDA technically regulates dietary supplements, however, this is only after the private company has conducted its own safety testing.
According to Dr Barry, “Most vitamin deficiencies can be treated with diet! Most of the foods we eat have more than enough of the recommended daily requirements for people with deficiencies. People with vitamin deficiencies should talk their doctor about dietary changes.”
Dr Barry explains: “While it is found naturally in coffees and teas, many other products like energy drinks and over-the-counter pills contain large amounts of caffeine. It is a stimulant used to stimulate the energy, alertness and possibly promote weight loss. Caffeine can increase your heart rate and blood pressure, which can put increased strain on the heart. If there is underlying or undiagnosed heart disease, this could precipitate a heart attack. The FDA recommends less than 400 mg of caffeine per day, so it’s important to check the labels of certain beverages.”
“Bitter orange is used as a weight loss supplement. It contains synephrine which is believed to aid in weight loss,” says Dr. Barry. “Synephrine is similar to ephedrine, found in ephedra, which is now banned in the United States. It can cause high blood pressure and cause coronary artery spasm, which can lead to a seizure Although not currently banned, the FDA found the labeling of most bitter orange supplements underestimated the amount of synephrine actually contained in the product.”
Dr. Barry says: “L-arginine is used as a supplement for erectile dysfunction. L-arginine is an amino acid, a building block of protein and nitric oxide. Nitric oxide will relax your blood vessels, causing lower blood pressure, increase blood flow and possibly promote erections.It may interact with other heart medications, causing increased or decreased effectiveness, which may be dangerous to heart health. In people who have had heart attacks before, it could lead to complications and possibly another heart attack.”
Heather Newgen
Heather Newgen has two decades of experience reporting and writing about health, fitness, entertainment and travel. Heather is currently a freelancer for several publications. Read more
