Supplements are often seen as a great way to improve your health, which is why it can be surprising to some to hear that many of them can come with an array of adverse health effects. As it turns out, although supplements are often safe when consumed by healthy individuals within the recommended dosages, there are a few dangerous options out there that you should be aware of. This includes a some that could pose a risk to the health of your heart.
To shed some light on a few potentially dangerous supplements that could take a toll on your cardiovascular health, we spoke to health experts Ramit Singh Sambyal, MD and Robert Iafelice, MS, RDN. They told us that bitter orange, calcium without magnesium, ephedra, and fish oil without any antioxidants are among the worst options. Learn more about the risks of each below.
1. Bitter orange
Bitter orange is sometimes praised for potential benefits that include the treatment of heartburn and nasal congestion, along with waist-slimming properties thanks to a stimulant called synephrine. However, that same supplement could be dangerous for your heart, Dr. Sambyal warns. He tells us it should especially be avoided by people who struggle with high blood pressure.
Synephrine, he notes, could raise your blood pressure and heart rate. Additionally, "It can also interact with blood pressure medications and other drugs, such as antidepressants and antihistamines."
"Bitter orange can increase the risk of stroke, heart attack, and arrhythmia in people with high blood pressure," he says. "Therefore, people with high blood pressure should avoid bitter oranges and products that contain it."
2. Calcium without magnesium
Calcium is an important nutrient to include in your diet. It's often touted as a crucial ingredient to strong, healthy bones. However, Iafelice provides a warning to anyone looking to up their intake with a supplement; be sure that your calcium supplement contains magnesium, as an imbalance of these nutrients could lead to heart health issues.
"Calcium and magnesium need to be in balance," he says. "Many people take calcium supplements that do not contain magnesium, this can result in a relative deficiency of magnesium, especially if the person is also eating a lot of dairy foods."
A magnesium deficiency could result in issues like difficulty sleeping and losing weight; Iafelice notes that magnesium is also "essential for keeping the heart pumping with a normal heart rhythm" and "a lack of magnesium can lead to arrhythmias or Afib."
Bottom line is that a 1:1 ratio of calcium and magnesium is important to look out for in your calcium supplement, lest you run into cardiovascular issues.
3. Ephedra
Ephedra is undoubtedly a dangerous supplement, which is why the FDA banned it back in 2004. This stimulant, often used for weight loss, could result in heart attack, stroke, seizure, and even death. Unfortunately, as Dr. Sambyal warns, "Despite this ban, some products may still have ephedra or its derivatives, like ma-huang in traditional Chinese medicine."
All in all, it can pose a significant risk to your heart. "This stimulant can increase blood pressure, heart rate, and metabolism," Dr. Sambyal says. It can be especially dangerous when combined with certain medications. "Ephedra can interact with blood pressure medications and other drugs such as caffeine and decongestants," he states.
We recommend that everyone avoids this supplement, but those with hypertension and other existing heart issues are at especially high risk.
4. Fish oil without antioxidants
Fish oil is often touted as one of the best supplements for weight loss and heart health. And while it's true that it can be great for your health, Iafelice says there's one caveat: you should always ensure it contains antioxidants, or else it could be potentially dangerous.
"While fish oil is very beneficial for cardiovascular health, it can be harmful," he says. Fish oil that isn't preserved with antioxidants like Vitamin C, E, or astanxanthin pose a risk, as "Fish oil is extremely susceptible to rancidity and the production of toxic byproducts." Yikes!
For this reason, Iafelice says, you should "always be sure that your fish oil has antioxidants in it to protect it from rancidity."
Stay safe!
