An estimated 20 million Brits take supplements, but in a crowded market and amidst a mass of conflicting information it’s hard to know if you’re wasting your money.
In an attempt to eliminate the confusion, Dr. Ariana Medizade, pharmacist and social media influencer, has provided the three supplements you should most avoid.
The supplement industry has boomed after the pandemic, with more than 70 percent of people now taking at least one.
However, in a TikTok video viewed more than 160,000 times, Dr. Medizade claims that there are pills that “I would never take as a pharmacist, even if my own son asked me to.”
Read on to find out which ones are on your blacklist…
Supplements have been on the rise since the pandemic, with one in three saying they started taking them because of the pandemic.
A survey revealed that 60 percent of Brits take the supplement.
Vitamin D3
Commonly used to improve bone health, it is also used to boost the immune system, improve mood and muscle function.
A survey (conducted by the Health Food Manufacturers Association) revealed that 60 per cent of Brits take the supplement.
However, Dr. Medizade warns that most people do not take it correctly, which could have dangerous consequences.
“There should be a warning label on supplements about this, but I would never take vitamin D3 alone,” he says.
“You should always take vitamin D3 with K2, otherwise when the body absorbs the calcium, it will be deposited in the wrong places.”
She explains that instead of reaching the bones, it will probably reach the arteries.
This can lead to calcification, a process in which calcium builds up in body tissue, causing the tissue to harden and other long-term problems.
st john’s wort
Pharmacist warns that supplement can potentially override other medications you are taking
Produced from a common yellow flower, this herbal medicine is often used to treat mental health problems, such as anxiety and depression.
The pharmacist warns that the supplement can potentially override other medications you are taking.
‘Never take St. John’s wort. Especially if you are taking oral contraceptive pills or any other type of medication,” says Dr. Medizade.
“St. John’s wort is known to be something called a CYP3A4 inducer, which induces the metabolism of medications in the body, causing them to be at lower concentrations in the bloodstream, as if you had never taken the medications.”
Zinc with Magnesium together
Many people take the combination in hopes that it will help their metabolism and muscle function.
A supplement that is commonly used to boost your immune system and strengthen your bones.
The pharmacist warned that these two minerals compete for absorption when taken together.
She admits that there are benefits to the supplements individually.
Instead, he advises separating your intake every two hours, making sure you take zinc with meals, and, if you have a supplement that combines the two, making sure it’s at the optimized dosage.
This means a 1-10 or 1-15 ratio of zinc to magnesium.