Unlike prescription drugs and OTC medicines like ibuprofen or aspirin, “supplements are not tested for safety and efficacy by the FDA,” say Ellen Kunes, who leads the health and food team at Consumer Reports. And of the more than 15,000 supplements in the US marketplace, only a few hundred undergo spot-checking by regulatory authorities, she says.
That’s pretty scary when you consider some common supplement ingredients can cause kidney and liver damage—among many other significant health issues, Kunes says.
In particular, consumers need to watch out for diet supplements (like garcinia cambogia), says Mark Moyad, MD, director of complementary and alternative medicine at the University of Michigan Medical Center. “Almost anything for weight loss should be a concern because most of them work by increasing blood pressure or heart rate while also trying to increase metabolism,” he explains.
Moyad looked at the Consumer Reports no-no list, and says he agrees with “virtually all” of their inclusions and concerns. He adds that the levels of heavy metals like lead, arsenic, and mercury that turn up in supplements are also a big problem.
“There are times when people may need supplements—like if a doctor recommends or prescribes something for a condition like macular degeneration,” Kunes says. But it’s important to understand that supplements carry risks just like other medications.
According to the Consumer Reports analysis, there are 15 supplement ingredients in particular that you need to watch out for.
Here are the ones to avoid, and the types of products that are most likely to contain them.
Yohimbe
Where You Might Find It: In supplements marketed to treat low libido and erectile dysfunction, depression, and obesity
Risks: Increased BP and heart rate, headaches, seizures, liver and kidney problems, panic attacks, and death. “Yohimbe has countless quality control issues as well as unhealthy heart effects, Moyad says. “Why this is still allowed on the market, I have no idea.”
Aconite
Where You Might Find It: In supplements marketed for the treatment of inflammation, gout, and joint pain
Risks: Nausea, vomiting, weakness, paralysis, breathing problems, heart problems, and death
Caffeine powder
Where You Might Find It: In supplements marketed for the treatment of attention issues, athletic performance enhancers, and weight loss supplements
Risks: Seizures, heart arrhythmia, cardiac arrest, and death—particularly when combined with other stimulants
Chaparral
Where You Might Find It: In supplements marketed for weight loss, inflammation, infections, skin rashes, and cancer
Risks: Kidney problems, liver damage, and death
Coltsfoot
Where You Might Find It: In supplements marketed to relieve coughs, sore throat, laryngitis, bronchitis, and asthma
Risks: It’s a possible carcinogen, and it may also cause liver damage.
Comfrey
Where You Might Find It: In supplements marketed for the relief of cough, heavy periods, stomach problems, chest pain, and cancer
Risks: It’s a possible carcinogen, and it may also cause liver damage.
Germander
Where You Might Find It: In supplements marketed for weight loss, fever, arthritis, gout, and stomach problems
Risks: Liver damage, hepatitis, and possibly death
Greater celandine
Where You Might Find It: In supplements marketed to treat stomachaches
Risks: Liver damage
Green tea extract powder
Where You Might Find It: In supplements marketed for weight loss
Risks: Dizziness, ringing in the ears, worsening glaucoma or anemia, liver damage, elevated blood pressure, and death
Kava
Where You Might Find It: In supplements marketed to reduce anxiety or insomnia
Risks: Liver damage, worsening depression or Parkinson’s disease, and impaired driving
Lobelia
Where You Might Find It: In supplements marketed to reduce respiratory problems and help you quit smoking
Risks: Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, tremors, rapid heartbeat, confusion, seizures, hypothermia, coma, and death
Methylsynephrine
Where You Might Find It: In supplements marketed for weight loss, increased energy, and improved athletic performance
Risks: Heart rate and rhythm abnormalities and cardiac arrest, especially when combined with other stimulants. This is one of those weight loss ingredients Moyad says to watch out for
Pennyroyal oil
Where You Might Find It: In supplements marketed for breathing problems or digestion issues
Risks: Liver or kidney failure, nerve damage, convulsions, and death
Red yeast rice
Where You Might Find It: In supplements marketed to lower cholesterol or prevent heart disease. However, this is the one ingredient on the Consumer Report list that Moyad doesn’t agree with. “Red yeast rice has undergone countless clinical trials showing that it could be an option for statin-intolerant patients,” he says.
Risks: Kidney and muscle issues, liver problems, hair loss, and heart issues
Usnic acid
Where You Might Find It: In supplements marketed for weight loss and pain relief
Risks: Liver injury
Ok it’s a given that there are dangerous supplements available and greedy people to push them. You find the same problem with many big Pharma products too and many of them have sailed through with FDA approval. Statin drugs like Adderall are way over prescribed and they do cause an abundance of side affects. Antidepressants which are supposed to treat depression can and do lead to suicide. So does chantix given to stop smoking and Lyrica a pain medication. We need to redo the system and take the profit making ability out of the hands of big Pharma and others. We need to work together sometimes with alternative health systems to create a real cure and we need Medicare for all.