Dietary supplements harm: Rising liver, kidney, and digestive problems

An increasing number of health experts are raising alarms about the potential dangers of overconsuming dietary supplements. A survey by the British consumer organization Which? revealed that 76 percent of respondents regularly take at least one supplement, and nearly one-fifth consume four or more different products daily.

Dr. Pedro de Maria Pallares, a gastroenterologist at Madrid's Hospital Universitario La Paz, told the BBC that his hospital increasingly sees patients whose health problems are eventually traced back to their supplement intake. He noted that approximately 20 percent of liver damage cases in the U.S. are linked to herbal and dietary supplements. Specific supplements like vitamin A, glutamine, ashwagandha, and green tea extract can harm the liver in high doses.

Professor Victoria Tzortziou Brown, president of the Royal College of General Practitioners in Britain, echoed these concerns. She highlighted that patients often don't realize they are taking multiple products containing the same active ingredients. For instance, prolonged excessive intake of vitamin B6 can cause nerve damage, and combining iron, calcium, and magnesium can reduce their absorption.

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every supplement deserves a healthy dose of skepticism until its benefits are proven

While some, like NHS surgeon Dr. Karan Rajan, acknowledge supplements have a role in addressing proven deficiencies, he stresses "every supplement deserves a healthy dose of skepticism until its benefits are proven." He personally uses vitamin D, prebiotics, fiber, protein, and creatine but emphasizes targeted use. Nutritionist Kristen Stavridis points to social media's role in creating a false impression that more supplements are needed for good health. For most healthy adults, she argues, a balanced diet, vitamin D in winter, and perhaps a multivitamin or fish oil suffice. "Some people are starting to believe that a pill is better than food. It is not," she stated.

The article also cites the case of American influencer Ginger Smith, who developed a large kidney stone requiring surgery after years of high-dose vitamin C, vitamin D, turmeric, and electrolyte supplements. After recovery, she reduced her intake to a single multivitamin.

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Some people are starting to believe that a pill is better than food. It is not