The world is dietary supplements is ever-expanding. If you walk into a health store, you’re likely to find a supplement on the shelf to suit just about any health goal, from better sleep to a slimmer waistline. However, before you start taking every supplement under the sun, it’s important to remember that many options out there can be dangerous—especially if you struggle with pre-existing health issues. This can be especially true when it comes to your blood pressure.
As it turns out, there are many supplements and medications that could be dangerous for people struggling with hypertension to take. To shed some light on the few of the most dangerous options, we spoke to Ramit Singh Sambyal, MD. He told us that bitter orange and supplements containing ephedra are two to be wary of. Read on to learn more about the risks of each.
1. Bitter orange
"Bitter orange can increase the risk of stroke, heart attack, and arrhythmia in people with high blood pressure," Dr. Sambyal says. "Therefore, people with high blood pressure should avoid bitter oranges and products that contain it."
Bitter orange has many potential benefits. This citrus fruit, which contains a stimulant called synephrine, is advertised for its ability to treat heartburn nasal congestion and even help suppress appetite and promote weight loss. For this reason, Dr. Sambyal notes, "Bitter orange is often found in weight loss supplements, energy drinks, and herbal remedies."
However, he warns that the synephrine may raise your blood pressure and heart rate, making it a poor choice for anyone with high blood pressure. Additionally, he tells us, "It can also interact with blood pressure medications and other drugs, such as antidepressants and antihistamines." Yikes! You're definitely better off leaving this supplement on the shelf if you're concerned about your blood pressure.
2. Ephedra
Ephedra is another stimulant that could pose a serious risk to your heart. "This stimulant can increase blood pressure, heart rate, and metabolism," Dr. Sambyal stresses.
In fact, ephedra was banned by the FDA in 2004 because it was found to be associated with severe adverse effects such as heart attack, stroke, seizure, and even death. However, as Dr. Sambyal warns, "Despite this ban, some products may still have ephedra or its derivatives, like ma-huang in traditional Chinese medicine."
Additionally, he points out that "Ephedra can interact with blood pressure medications and other drugs such as caffeine and decongestants."
Products like ephedra and similar stimulants can be dangerous to everyone but should especially be avoided by people with hypertension and other heart issues for these reasons.
The bottom line
In many cases, supplements can be a great part of a healthy lifestyle. The right products can do wonders for your body. However, it's always important to be aware of the risks at hand and keep in mind that there are many potentially dangerous supplements out there. If you struggle with hypertension, it's likely in your best interest to steer clear of bitter orange, ephedra, and similar products containing stimulants. When in doubt, speak to a doctor; better safe than sorry!
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