Contraindications to the use of dietary supplements: important information

Contraindications to the use of dietary supplements: important information

I. General principles of contraindications to dietary supplements

Bades (biologically active additives) are not drugs and are not intended for the treatment of diseases. Their main goal is to supplement the diet and maintain health. Despite their apparent harmlessness, the use of dietary supplements can be contraindicated in certain situations. It is important to understand that dietary supplements contain biologically active substances that can interact with drugs, aggravate existing diseases or cause unwanted side effects.

Contraindications to the use of dietary supplements are divided into absolute and relative.

• Absolute contraindications: conditions in which dietary supplements are strictly prohibited due to high risk of serious complications.
• Relative contraindications: The conditions in which the dietary supplement is not recommended, but it may be permissible under the strict supervision of a doctor and taking into account potential risks and benefits.

When making a decision on a dietary supplement, it is necessary to take into account many factors, including:

• Individual characteristics of the body (age, gender, genetic predisposition).
• The presence of chronic diseases.
• Taking drugs.
• Anamnesis allergic reactions.
• Pregnancy and lactation.
• The state of the immune system.
• Purpose and composition of dietary supplements.
• Dosage and duration of the reception course.

II. The main categories of contraindications for dietary supplements

A. Age restrictions:

1. Children and adolescents: Many dietary supplements are not intended for children and adolescents due to the immaturity of their body and the potential effect on growth and development processes. The intake of dietary supplements by children should be carried out only as prescribed by the doctor and under his strict control. Particular caution should be observed with dietary supplements containing hormones, stimulants or other active substances that can disturb the hormonal balance and negatively affect the development of the child. It is important to consider that children and adolescents have a higher sensitivity to side effects of dietary supplements.

   • Vitamins and minerals: Even ordinary vitamins and minerals can be dangerous for children in large doses. An overdose of vitamin D, for example, can lead to hypercalcemia and kidney damage. An excess of iron can cause poisoning.
   • Plant extracts: Some plant extracts, such as St. John’s wort, can interact with medicines used to treat childhood diseases.
   • Dietary diets for weight loss: It is strictly prohibited for children and adolescents, as they can disrupt the metabolism and lead to serious health problems.
   • Bades to increase immunity: It should be used with caution, as some of them can stimulate the immune system to an excessive degree, leading to autoimmune reactions.

2. Elderly people: With age, the body becomes more susceptible to side effects of drugs and dietary supplements. Older people often have chronic diseases and they take many drugs, which increases the risk of interaction between dietary supplements with drugs. In addition, with age, the function of the kidneys and liver decreases, which can slow down the elimination of dietary supplements from the body and increase the risk of accumulation.

   • Interaction with drugs: It is necessary to carefully check the interaction of dietary supplements with medicines that an elderly person takes. For example, dietary supplements containing vitamin K can reduce the effectiveness of anticoagulants.
   • Renal and liver failure: In the presence of renal or liver failure, it is necessary to reduce the dose of dietary supplements or avoid taking it.
   • Cardiovascular diseases: Some dietary supplements can increase blood pressure or increase the pulse, which is dangerous for people with cardiovascular diseases.
   • Slow down metabolism: In older people, metabolism is slow, so dietary supplements can remain in the body longer and cause side effects.

B. Pregnancy and lactation period:

Reception of dietary supplements during pregnancy and during lactation requires special caution, since many biologically active substances can penetrate through the placenta to the fetus or breast milk and have a negative effect on the health of the child.

1. Pregnancy: In the first trimester of pregnancy, it is especially important to avoid taking dietary supplements without a doctor’s prescription, since during this period the formation of organs and systems of the fetus occurs. Some dietary supplements can have a teratogenic effect (cause development defects). In the second and third trimesters of pregnancy, the intake of dietary supplements also requires caution, as they can affect the course of pregnancy and the development of the fetus.

   • Vitamin A: In large doses, a teratogenic effect can have.
   • Plant extracts: Some plant extracts, such as ginseng, can increase the risk of bleeding.
   • Dietary diets for weight loss: Categorically prohibited during pregnancy.
   • Bades to increase immunity: They can stimulate the immune system of the mother and cause undesirable reactions in the fetus.

2. Lactation period: Many biologically active substances contained in dietary supplements penetrate into breast milk and can have a negative effect on the health of the child. For example, some plant extracts can cause allergic reactions in a child.

   • Herbal teas: It should be used with caution, as some herbs can reduce milk production.
   • Dietary diets for weight loss: Categorically prohibited during lactation.
   • Bades to increase immunity: They can stimulate the child’s immune system and cause undesirable reactions.

C. Chronic diseases:

In the presence of chronic diseases, the intake of dietary supplements can be contraindicated or required to be special caution. Some dietary supplements can aggravate the course of the disease or interact with drugs used to treat the disease.

1. Liver and kidney diseases: In the presence of liver and kidney diseases, the body’s ability to remove toxins and metabolites of dietary supplements decreases. This can lead to the accumulation of dietary supplements in the body and increase the risk of side effects.

   • Hepatitis: With hepatitis, the use of dietary supplements containing hepatotoxic substances, such as some plant extracts, should be avoided.
   • Renal failure: With renal failure, it is necessary to reduce the dose of dietary supplements or avoid their use, as they can aggravate the function of the kidneys.

2. Cardiovascular diseases: Some dietary supplements can increase blood pressure, increase the pulse or influence blood coagulation, which is dangerous for people with cardiovascular diseases.

   • Hypertension: It should be avoided taking dietary supplements containing stimulants, such as caffeine or ephedra.
   • Arrhythmia: Some dietary supplements can cause arrhythmia.
   • Reception of anticoagulants: Bades containing vitamin K can reduce the effectiveness of anticoagulants.

3. Endocrine diseases: Some dietary supplements can affect hormonal balance and aggravate the course of endocrine diseases.

   • Diabetes sugar: Some dietary supplements can increase or lower blood sugar.
   • Thyroid diseases: You should avoid taking dietary supplements containing iodine if you have hyperthyroidism.

4. Autoimmune diseases: Some dietary supplements can stimulate the immune system and aggravate the course of autoimmune diseases.

   • Rheumatoid arthritis: Bades containing immunomodulators should be taken with caution.
   • System red lupus: Some dietary supplements can cause an exacerbation of the disease.

5. Oncological diseases: Reception of dietary supplements during the treatment of cancer requires special caution, since some dietary supplements can interact with chemotherapeutic drugs and reduce their effectiveness. In addition, some dietary supplements can stimulate tumor growth.

   • Chemotherapy: Some dietary supplements can protect tumor cells from the action of chemotherapeutic drugs.
   • Radiation therapy: Some dietary supplements can increase the sensitivity of tissues to radiation therapy and cause side effects.

D. Allergic reactions:

People with allergies should be especially careful when taking dietary supplements, as they can contain allergens. Allergic reactions to dietary supplements can appear in the form of a skin rash, itching, urticaria, Quincke’s edema or anaphylactic shock.

1. Famous allergens: It should be avoided taking dietary supplements containing well -known allergens, such as peanuts, soy, gluten, lactose, seafood, etc.
2. Plant components: Many plant components of dietary supplements can cause allergic reactions.
3. Food additives: Some food additives used in dietary supplements can cause allergic reactions.

E. Taking drugs:

Taking dietary supplement simultaneously with drugs can lead to the interaction between them and a change in their effectiveness or an increase in the risk of side effects.

1. Pharmacokinetic interaction: Bades can affect absorption, distribution, metabolism and removal of drugs.

2. Pharmacodynamic interaction: Bades can enhance or weaken the effect of drugs.

3. Examples of interaction:

   • Anticoagulants: Bades containing vitamin K can reduce the effectiveness of anticoagulants.
   • Antidepressants: St. John’s wort can interact with antidepressants and enhance their side effects.
   • Broadcasting tablets: Some dietary supplements can reduce the effectiveness of contraceptive tablets.

F. Individual intolerance:

Some people may observe individual intolerance to certain components of dietary supplements, even if they are not allergens. This can manifest itself in the form of various symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, headache, etc.

G. Preparation for surgical operations:

Some dietary supplements can affect blood coagulation or blood pressure, which can be dangerous during surgery. Therefore, it is recommended to stop taking dietary supplements a few weeks before surgery.

H. Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract:

Some dietary supplements can irritate the mucous membrane of the stomach and intestines and aggravate the course of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, such as gastritis, stomach ulcers and duodenum, colitis.

III. Specific dietary supplements and their contraindications

A. Vitamins:

1. Vitamin A: It is contraindicated during pregnancy (especially in the first trimester) in large doses, for diseases of the liver and kidneys, hypervitaminosis A.
2. Vitamin D: It is contraindicated in hypercalcemia, hypervitaminosis D, renal failure, sarcoidosis.
3. Vitamin E: It is contraindicated with increased bleeding, K. hypovitaminosis with caution in heart and blood vessels.
4. Vitamin K: It is contraindicated with increased blood coagulation, thromboembolism.
5. B vitamins B: Individual intolerance. Vitamin B12 with caution with thromboembolism.

B. Minerals:

1. Iron: It is contraindicated in hemochromatosis, hemosiderosis, anemia that are not associated with iron deficiency.
2. Calcium: Contraindicated in hypercalcemia, hypercalciuria, urolithiasis.
3. Magnesium: Contraindicated in renal failure, AV blockade.
4. Zinc: It is contraindicated in individual intolerance.
5. Selenium: Contraindicated in the poisoning of selenium.

C. Plant extracts:

1. Ginseng: It is contraindicated in hypertension, insomnia, increased nervous excitability, pregnancy, breastfeeding, children under 12 years old.
2. SOUTINATEA: It is contraindicated in autoimmune diseases, tuberculosis, leukemia, scattered sclerosis, pregnancy, breastfeeding, children under 4 years old.
3. St. John’s wort: It is contraindicated while taking antidepressants, contraceptives, anticoagulants, immunosuppressants, photosensitization.
4. Ginkgo biloba: It is contraindicated for disorders of blood coagulation, pregnancy, breastfeeding, children under 16 years old.
5. Garlic: It is contraindicated in diseases of the gastrointestinal tract in the exacerbation stage, blood coagulation, pregnancy, breastfeeding.

D. Omega-3 fatty acids:

Contraindicated in case of blood coagulation, hemorrhagic syndrome. With caution during pregnancy, breastfeeding, liver and kidney diseases.

E. Probiotics:

Contraindicated in immunodeficiency conditions, acute infectious diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.

F. Glucosamine and chondroitin:

Contraindicated during pregnancy, breastfeeding, children under 12 years old, seafood allergies (for drugs obtained from seafood). With caution in diabetes, blood coagulation disorders.

IV. Important recommendations

• Consultation with a doctor: Before taking any dietary supplement, you need to consult a doctor. The doctor will evaluate your health status, take into account your individual characteristics and prescribed drugs and help to determine whether it is advisable to take this dietary supplement and in what dosage.
• Study of the composition: Carefully study the composition of the dietary supplement and make sure that there are no components for which you have an allergy or individual intolerance.
• Dosage compliance: Strictly observe the recommended dosage of dietary supplements. Exceeding the dosage can lead to undesirable side effects.
• Observation of the condition: Carefully follow your condition during a dietary supplement. When any side effects appear, stop taking dietary supplements and consult a doctor.
• Buying from trusted manufacturers: Buy dietary supplements only from trusted manufacturers and in reliable pharmacies. Avoid buying dietary supplements via the Internet from unverified sellers, as they may contain poor -quality or dangerous components.
• Information of the doctor: Be sure to inform your doctor about all the dietary supplements that you accept. This will help the doctor avoid the interaction of dietary supplements with prescribed drugs.
• Do not replace medicines with dietary supplements: Remember that dietary supplements are not drugs and cannot replace the medicines prescribed by the doctor.

V. Legal aspects and responsibility

Manufacturers and sellers of dietary supplements are responsible for the safety and quality of their products. However, unlike drugs, dietary supplements do not go through strict clinical trials before entering the market. Therefore, consumers should be especially attentive when choosing dietary supplements and not rely solely on advertising.

It is important to understand that the consumer himself is responsible for the consequences of the admission of dietary supplements. Therefore, before starting to receive dietary supplements, it is necessary to carefully weigh all the risks and benefits and consult a doctor.

VI. Alternative methods of maintaining health

Instead of taking dietary supplements, you can use other methods of maintaining health, such as:

• Balanced nutrition: A balanced diet, rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains and low -fat protein, provides the body with all the necessary vitamins, minerals and other nutrients.
• Regular physical exercises: Regular physical exercises strengthen the cardiovascular system, increase immunity and improve mood.
• Healthy sleep: Healthy sleep is necessary to restore the body and maintain health.
• Reducing stress: Reducing stress helps strengthen the immune system and improve overall well -being.
• Refusal of bad habits: The rejection of smoking and alcohol abuse helps to strengthen health.

Adhering to these simple rules, you can maintain health without the need to receive dietary supplements.

This comprehensive article provides detailed information about the contraindications of using dietary supplements (БАДы). It covers general principles, specific categories of contraindications (age, pregnancy, chronic diseases, allergies, drug interactions, individual intolerance), specific supplements and their contraindications (vitamins, minerals, herbal extracts, omega-3 fatty acids, probiotics, glucosamine and chondroitin), important recommendations (consultation with a doctor, studying the composition, following dosage, monitoring the condition, buying from trusted manufacturers, informing the doctor, not replacing medicines with supplements), legal aspects and responsibility, and alternative methods of maintaining health. The article is structured for easy reading and provides actionable advice.