"Health" Supplements Send 23,000 to Emergency Rooms in the U.S Each Year

 

More than 20 percent of these patients are children under the age of five  October 15, 2015 By Gene Emery NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Dietary supplements send 23,000 people, many of them children, to the emergency room in the U.S. each year, according to a new estimate. Just over 9% require hospitalization. Many patients report heart symptoms. The supplements include herbal products, amino acids, vitamins, minerals, and other complementary nutrition products hawked for a wide range of uses, often with little or no testing to back up claims. The new study "illustrates the idea that something that's 'natural' is not necessarily safe, and these products do not come without risk," Dr. Curtis Haas, director of pharmacy for the University of Rochester Medical Center and a past president of the American College of Clinical Pharmacy, told Reuters Health. He was not involved in the research. But a trade association that represents supplement manufacturers, the Council for Responsible Nutrition, reacted with a statement arguing that the results "reinforce that dietary supplements are safe products, particularly when put into the context with the number of people - over 150 million Americans - who take dietary supplements every year." Congress has thwarted attempts to strictly regulate the $14.8 billion industry. The new study, released online October 14 in the New England Journal of Medicine, was based on a federal database of adverse events reported at 63 hospitals over a 10-year period. At these hospitals, the research team identified 3,667 emergency room visits linked to the supplements. That extrapolates to 23,005 adverse events nationwide each year, including an estimated 2,154 hospitalizations. Unsupervised children under age 5 accounted for 21.6% of the visits. Chief author Dr. Andrew Geller of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, Georgia told Reuters Health the findings suggest that "all medicines and dietary supplements should be stored up and out of sight of children." Adults ages 20 to 34 made up an even bigger proportion of victims - 28%. Weight-loss products accounted for an estimated 3,339 emergency room visits each year by women, nearly three times the number for men. Among males, an estimated 567 visits were attributed to products designed for sexual enhancement and 368 were for body-building products. Comparable numbers for women were so small the researchers couldn't come up with a reliable estimate. Heart symptoms were the chief complaint in 43% of people taking weight-loss products, 46% of patients taking energy products, 50% taking body-building products, and 37% taking sexual-enhancement products. "What's most concerning is the age of people coming in with cardiovascular complications or symptoms," Dr. Haas said. "They are in their 20s to 30s, which shows there are risks to these products." Among older adults, swallowing problems caused nearly 40% of emergency department visits for supplement-related adverse events, with micronutrients implicated in more than 80% of these visits, the researchers said. "The number of emergency department visits attributed to supplement-related adverse events that we identified is probably an underestimation, since supplement use is underreported by patients, and physicians may not identify adverse events associated with supplements as often as they do those associated with pharmaceuticals," the researchers said. The Department of Health and Human Services supported this research.   http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/health-supplements-send-23-000-to-emergency-rooms-in-the-u-s-each-year/?WT.mc_id=SA_WR_20151021

Marine oil supplement has positive effects on post-exercise muscle damage

An Indiana University study has revealed that there may be a greater connection between mussels and muscles than previously thought. The study, by kinesiology professor Timothy Mickleborough at the IU School of Public Health-Bloomington, found that taking a pre-exercise supplement of the omega-3 PCSO-524, a marine oil lipid derived from the New Zealand green-lipped mussel, has significant positive effects on post-exercise muscle damage. The pharmaceutical name of the supplement is Lyprinol, or Omega XL in the United States, and it has previously been used to effectively reduce the effects of osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease and exercise-induced asthma. Pharmalink International LTD, which funded the study, develops it. Mickleborough said his initial study of this particular marine oil supplement led him to further test its healing properties on other parts of the body. "I've worked with Pharmalink before when they approached me to do a study with this particular oil and its effects on exercise-induced asthma and respiratory inflammation," Mickleborough said. "I thought if it can be used as an anti-inflammatory for lungs, perhaps it could reverse muscle inflammation as well." For the study, lead author Mickleborough and his colleagues tested 32 "untrained male subjects" -- men who exercise less than three times a week for less than 30 minutes at a time -- who would elicit a greater muscle response than an athlete who is used to regular muscle damage. The subjects were randomly given either the marine oil supplement or a placebo for 26 days before a muscle-damaging exercise session and for 96 hours afterwards. The exercise session consisted of running at fairly high intensity for 20 minutes downhill on a treadmill. The body's reaction to the muscle-damaging exercise regimen was tested immediately, and at 24, 48, 72 and 96 hours post-workout. The men who were given the PCSO-524 marine oil supplement exhibited less muscle soreness, less muscle pain, less strength loss, less fatigue and even less inflammatory proteins evident in their bloodstreams. Overall, they experienced less bodily stress after their workout in comparison to the subjects who were given the placebo. For people who are looking to start exercising again, or even for those who engage in intense workouts regularly, this discovery can have a variety of positive effects on how their bodies react to muscle damage, Mickleborough said. "It might have positive implications for triathletes if they're doing several different types of exercises, and it could potentially help diminish soreness in multisport, recreational athletes as well," he said. "Essentially, for anyone who is engaging in unaccustomed exercise, it's a nice product." Mickleborough's study "The effects PCSO-524®, a patented marine oil lipid and omega-3 PUFA blend derived from the New Zealand green lipped mussel (Perna canaliculus), on indirect markers of muscle damage and inflammation after muscle damaging exercise in untrained men: a randomized, placebo controlled trial" is featured in the Feb. 2015 issue of the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition. Story Source: The above story is based on materials provided by Indiana University. Note: Materials may be edited for content and length. Journal Reference: Timothy D Mickleborough, Jacob A Sinex, David Platt, Robert F Chapman, Molly Hirt. The effects PCSO-524®, a patented marine oil lipid and omega-3 PUFA blend derived from the New Zealand green lipped mussel (Perna canaliculus), on indirect markers of muscle damage and inflammation after muscle damaging exercise in untrained men: a ra. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, 2015; 12 (1) DOI: 10.1186/s12970-015-0073-z

Supplements: Nutrition in a pill?

 

Supplements aren't for everyone, but older adults and others may benefit from specific supplements. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans make it clear that your nutritional needs should be met primarily through your diet. For some people, however, supplements may be a useful way to get nutrients they might otherwise be lacking. But before you go shopping for supplements, get the facts on what they will and won't do for you. Supplements vs. whole foods Supplements aren't intended to be a food substitute because they can't replicate all of the nutrients and benefits of whole foods, such as fruits and vegetables. So depending on your situation and your eating habits, dietary supplements may not be worth the expense. Whole foods offer three main benefits over dietary supplements: Greater nutrition. Whole foods are complex, containing a variety of the micronutrients your body needs — not just one. An orange, for example, provides vitamin C plus some beta carotene, calcium and other nutrients. It's likely these compounds work together to produce their beneficial effect. Essential fiber. Whole foods, such as whole grains, fruits, vegetables and legumes, provide dietary fiber. Most high-fiber foods are also packed with other essential nutrients. Fiber, as part of a healthy diet, can help prevent certain diseases, such as type 2 diabetes and heart disease, and it can also help manage constipation. Protective substances. Whole foods contain other substances important for good health. Fruits and vegetables, for example, contain naturally occurring substances called phytochemicals, which may help protect you against cancer, heart disease, diabetes and high blood pressure. Many are also good sources of antioxidants — substances that slow down oxidation, a natural process that leads to cell and tissue damage. Who needs supplements? If you're generally healthy and eat a wide variety of foods, including fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, low-fat dairy products, lean meats and fish, you likely don't need supplements. However, the dietary guidelines recommend supplements — or fortified foods — in the following situations: Women who may become pregnant should get 400 micrograms a day of folic acid from fortified foods or supplements, in addition to eating foods that naturally contain folate. Women who are pregnant should take a prenatal vitamin that includes iron or a separate iron supplement. Adults age 50 or older should eat foods fortified with vitamin B-12, such as fortified cereals, or take a multivitamin that contains B-12 or a separate B-12 supplement. Adults age 65 and older who do not live in assisted living or nursing homes should take 800 international units (IU) of vitamin D daily to reduce the risk of falls. Dietary supplements also may be appropriate if you: Don't eat well or consume less than 1,600 calories a day. Are a vegan or a vegetarian who eats a limited variety of foods. Don't obtain two to three servings of fish a week. If you have difficulty achieving this amount, some experts recommend adding a fish oil supplement to your daily regimen. Are a woman who experiences heavy bleeding during your menstrual period. Have a medical condition that affects how your body absorbs or uses nutrients, such as chronic diarrhea, food allergies, food intolerance, or a disease of the liver, gallbladder, intestines or pancreas. Have had surgery on your digestive tract and are not able to digest and absorb nutrients properly. Talk to your doctor or a dietitian about which supplements and what doses might be appropriate for you. Be sure to ask about possible side effects and interactions with any medications you take. See more In-depth source :www.mayoclinic.org

10 Supplements That Do Not Work as Advertised

 

Supplements' advertising

 

 

 

Magnesium Supplement (Oral Route, Parenteral Route)

 

 

Descriptions

Magnesium is used as a dietary supplement for individuals who are deficient in magnesium. Although a balanced diet usually supplies all the magnesium a person needs, magnesium supplements may be needed by patients who have lost magnesium because of illness or treatment with certain medicines.

Lack of magnesium may lead to irritability, muscle weakness, and irregular heartbeat.

Injectable magnesium is given only by or under the supervision of a health care professional. Some oral magnesium preparations are available only with a prescription. Others are available without a prescription.

Importance of Diet

For good health, it is important that you eat a balanced and varied diet. Follow carefully any diet program your health care professional may recommend. For your specific dietary vitamin and/or mineral needs, ask your health care professional for a list of appropriate foods. If you think that you are not getting enough vitamins and/or minerals in your diet, you may choose to take a dietary supplement.

The best dietary sources of magnesium include green leafy vegetables, nuts, peas, beans, and cereal grains in which the germ or outer layers have not been removed. Hard water has been found to contain more magnesium than soft water. A diet high in fat may cause less magnesium to be absorbed. Cooking may decrease the magnesium content of food.

Recommended Nutrient Intakes (RNIs) are used to determine the amounts of vitamins, minerals, and protein needed to provide adequate nutrition and lessen the risk of chronic disease.

 

 

• Before Using