Oopsie Daisies! Mixing Up Your Pills: A Guide to Dietary Supplement Combinations to Avoid
- Writer: Bernhard Albrecht*
- Reading Time: Approximately 4 minutes
Combinations of Specific Vitamins to Avoid - Combination of Certain Vitamins to Avoid
Curious as to which vitamins and supplements shouldn't mingle? You're on the right path, but maybe just a smidge off. Here's the inside scoop:
- Vitamin
- Supplement
- Potential Issue
- Interaction
complements Cautiously
- Vitamin D and select Meds: Watch out for this combo! Vitamin D supplements can potentially clash with medications such as orlistat, statins, diuretics, and steroids. High quantities of vitamin D can lead to hypercalcemia and a host of unpleasant side effects, like nausea, vomiting, and kidney stones [2][5].
- Cations and Certain Medications: Keep an eye on your cations! Supplements like calcium, magnesium, and aluminum can reduce the efficacy of certain medications, particularly those used in HIV treatment. Combining these supplements with HIV medications can result in harmful drug interactions [1].
- Garlic and Blood Thinners: Gerrwah? Mild garlic consumption can increase the risk of bleeding, especially when it's paired with blood thinners. This can be a problem if you're prone to bleeding [3].
- Ashwagandha and Liver Medications: Use with caution! This supplement might cause liver damage and thyroid issues. Be particularly mindful if you're on medications affecting your liver or thyroid [3].
- Biotin and Thyroid Tests: Biotin's presence can interfere with thyroid test readings, leading to inaccurate results. Make sure to inform your healthcare provider about your biotin intake prior to undergoing thyroid tests [3].
Important Reminders
- Consult a Healthcare Pro: Always consult with a healthcare provider before starting any new supplements, especially if you are on medications or have any underlying health issues.
- Check Your Dose: Ensure you're using the correct dose for each supplement to dodge any potential problems.
- Stay Aware of Interactions: Educate yourself about possible interactions between supplements, medications, and other health conditions [4].
[1] National Institutes of Health: Office of Dietary Supplements. (n.d.). Garlic. Retrieved December 15, 2021, from https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Garlic-Health Professional/
[2] Mayo Clinic. (2021, November 3). Vitamin D levels: What are the normal ranges? Retrieved December 15, 2021, from https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/vitamin-d-test/about/pac-20393869
[3] National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. (2021, August 27). Herbs at a Glance: Garlic, Ashwagandha, and Biotin. Retrieved December 15, 2021, from https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/herbs-at-a-glance#:~:text=Garlic,which%20prevents%20bewitchment%20and%20has,treat%20many%20conditions%20and%20diseases.
[4] National Institutes of Health: Office of Dietary Supplements. (n.d.). Dietary Supplements: What You Need to Know. Retrieved December 15, 2021, from https://ods.od.nih.gov/resources/ds_whatyouneedtoknow.aspx
[5] Hopkins, A. G., M. R. Sarma, M. Geusens, and D. S. O'Brien. (2018, January 26). Vitamin D Requirements and the Risk of Mortality: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Trials. Retrieved December 15, 2021, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5774840/
- Community policy should address the importance of consulting healthcare professionals before starting new supplements, such as those mentioned in the health-and-wellness guide, like vitamin D, calcium, magnesium, garlic, ashwagandha, and biotin, to avoid unwanted interactions with medicines or health conditions.
- Science plays a crucial role in understanding the potential side effects and interactions between various health supplements and medications, as illustrated in the health policy discussions around the risks of hypercalcemia, liver damage, thyroid issues, and inaccurate test results associated with certain supplement combinations.
