No matter what your health needs and goals are, from weight loss to better sleep, there’s probably a supplement on the market promising to help. And while supplements can oftentimes be a great addition to your daily regimen, especially if you have nutrient gaps in your diet, it’s crucial to remember that choosing the wrong one can be detrimental to your health. This is especially true when it comes to your heart. As it turns out, many supplements out there could damage your cardiovascular health if you’re not careful.
To learn more about a few harmful supplements that could pose a risk to your heart health, we checked in with health experts Ramit Singh Sambyal, MD and Robert Iafelice, MS, RDN. They warned against calcium without magnesium, fish oil without antioxidants, and bitter orange. Learn more about the risks of each below.
1. Calcium without magnesium
It's always important to get enough calcium in your diet, especially if you want strong, healthy bones. However, Iafelice warns that you could put your heart at risk if you choose to take a calcium supplement that doesn't contain magnesium. According to him, 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."
Ultimately, a 1:1 ratio of calcium and magnesium is important to look out for in your calcium supplement to avoid cardiovascular issues.
2. Fish oil without antioxidants
Fish oil is often touted as one of the best supplements for weight loss and heart health. And, in fact, it can indeed be great for your health. However, Iafelice says that you should always ensure your fish oil choice 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 astaxanthin 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."
3. Bitter orange
Bitter orange is sometimes applauded for numerous benefits, including weight loss, heart burn treatment, and nasal decongestion. However, it contains a stimulant called synephrine that could be pose danger to your heart, especially if you struggle with high blood pressure, Dr. Sambyal warns.
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." Noted!
