Vitality Unleashed: The Functional Medicine Podcast

Your "Health" Supplements Might Be Damaging Your Organs

• Dr. Kumar from LifeWellMD.com • Season 1 • Episode 79

Share episode

Send us a text

The wellness world has convinced half of America that popping supplements is the shortcut to better health. But what happens when that daily vitamin regimen turns toxic? This eye-opening episode strips away the marketing hype to reveal the dangerous truth behind those innocent-looking bottles.

We dive deep into how fat-soluble vitamins can accumulate to dangerous levels in your body, potentially damaging your liver, weakening bones, and even causing vision problems. The risks don't stop there – we expose how supplement stacking creates unpredictable chemical reactions in your body, and why supposedly "natural" products might be secretly sabotaging your prescription medications. With increasing cases of supplement-related liver and kidney damage being reported, these aren't theoretical concerns – they're medical emergencies waiting to happen.

The lack of FDA oversight means you never truly know what's inside those capsules. Women targeted by gender-specific marketing, older adults juggling multiple medications, and people with chronic conditions face particularly serious dangers. Our conversation cuts through the confusion with practical advice: get tested before supplementing, consult healthcare professionals, scrutinize labels, and recognize that more isn't better – it might actually be deadly. For personalized guidance that prioritizes your safety, we recommend connecting with experts like those at LifeWellMD who can create evidence-based health plans tailored to your unique needs. Your wellness journey deserves better than risky self-experimentation. Are you ready to rethink what's in your medicine cabinet?

Disclaimer:
The information provided in this podcast is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional before making changes to your supplement regimen or health routine. Individual needs and reactions vary, so it’s important to make informed decisions with the guidance of your physician.

Connect with Us:
If you enjoyed today’s episode, be sure to subscribe, leave us a review, and share it with someone who might benefit. For more insights and updates, visit our website at Lifewellmd.com.

Stay Informed, Stay Healthy:
Remember, informed choices lead to better health. Until next time, be well and take care of yourself.

Speaker 1:

You know it's amazing how much we're all about taking charge of our health these days, right yeah, optimizing how we feel, and for a lot of people, that starts with supplements.

Speaker 2:

Yeah, you see it everywhere Biohacking. All this talk about complementary medicine.

Speaker 1:

Exactly and, on the surface, being proactive about your health, it sounds great. Who wouldn't want to tweak things, make their body and mind work better, just by adding a few things?

Speaker 2:

Right, but that's what we're digging into today.

Speaker 1:

Because even though everyone's heart's in the right place, you know wanting to feel better, what if those vitamins or herbs or whatever, what if they're actually doing more harm than good? That's the question, isn't it? So today we're going deep. We're looking at how huge this whole supplement thing's gotten, the real risks when people go overboard, and why seeing a doctor about this stuff is so important.

Speaker 2:

And it is huge. I mean, think about it. Over half of Americans are popping some kind of supplement regularly. It's a billion-dollar industry. Easy, it's crazy.

Speaker 1:

And there's so much out there. You've got your basic vitamins and minerals, sure, but then it's herbal blends, these formulas promising you'll lose weight, get smarter. It's wild.

Speaker 2:

It is, and you've got to wonder why is it so popular.

Speaker 1:

Well, the marketing's slick for one. Celebrities are always pushing something. And then there's this whole natural angle. If it comes from nature, it must be good for you.

Speaker 2:

Right, and don't forget how easy they are to get no doctor's appointment needed, just grab it off the shelf.

Speaker 1:

Exactly, but that easy access, thinking it's totally safe. That's where things get tricky. People start treating themselves and they might not know the whole story.

Speaker 2:

Yep. So let's talk about some of the downsides.

Speaker 1:

Okay, so one of the most basic risks.

Speaker 2:

Yeah.

Speaker 1:

You're taking too much. You hear you can't overdose on vitamins.

Speaker 2:

That's not always true is it, especially when you look at the different types of vitamins, right Big difference between water soluble and fat soluble? Your body flushes out extra water soluble vitamins like vitamin C and the Bs, but fat soluble vitamins those are A, d, e and K. They hang around on your tissues. So over time, if you're taking way too much, you build up too much and that can be toxic, like take too much vitamin A for a long time. You're looking at possible liver damage, pressure in your skull, even vision problems.

Speaker 1:

Yikes and vitamin D. Everyone's all about vitamin D.

Speaker 2:

These days, yeah, and it is important. But too much your blood calcium levels can spike. That can weaken your bones, mess with your kidneys. It's not a joke.

Speaker 1:

And it's not just vitamins either. Right Minerals, we need them, but going overboard there can backfire too. Magnesium, calcium, iron these are all popular supplements.

Speaker 2:

Absolutely, they're crucial, but you've got to stay within limits. Too much magnesium, you're talking digestive issues, maybe even heart rhythm problems if it gets really bad.

Speaker 1:

Calcium. I thought that was always good for bones.

Speaker 2:

In the right amounts. Too much, ironically, can make you more likely to get kidney stones, and some research even suggests it might be linked to heart issues. Then there's iron Iron overload that can happen if you're taking tons of supplements and that can damage your liver and heart. Your body likes balance.

Speaker 1:

It's all about balance, for sure, yeah, and that brings us to something kind of scary Actual organ damage from supplements. You mentioned the liver and kidneys, and I've seen reports linking supplement use to problems there.

Speaker 2:

Yeah, it's something doctors are worried about. More and more cases of liver injury are popping up, and they seem to be directly linked to supplements.

Speaker 1:

What kind of supplements?

Speaker 2:

Some of those herbal ones, especially the ones for weight loss or building muscle. They seem to be the biggest culprits. And your kidneys they're filtering everything. So if you're constantly overloading them with certain compounds it takes a toll. The scary part is it can happen slowly. You might not even notice until it's pretty bad. That's terrifying it is, and then you've got supplement stacking, which is basically taking a bunch of different supplements at the same time.

Speaker 1:

Oh yeah, that's all over the biohacking world. The idea is that they all work together, right.

Speaker 2:

Right. But here's the thing we don't really know how a lot of these combinations work together. It's like experimenting on yourself. You could have one supplement amplifying another, or they could be competing and messing each other up Without expert advice. It's a big risk.

Speaker 1:

And it's not even just supplement-on-supplement interactions, is it? People are taking supplements along with their regular medications.

Speaker 2:

That's a huge point. Supplements can mess with prescription drugs in a major way. St John's wort people use it for mood sometimes can make certain antidepressants and birth control pills less effective.

Speaker 1:

Wow, and I know vitamin K can be an issue too.

Speaker 2:

Yeah, if you're on a blood thinner like warfarin, vitamin K can counteract that, which could lead to dangerous blood clots. These interactions are no joke. They can be life-threatening, and a lot of people just don't realize the risks.

Speaker 1:

It's a recipe for disaster if you're not careful. And this all goes back to something we talked about earlier the fact that the supplement industry isn't really regulated that strictly.

Speaker 2:

Exactly, it's a big problem. Unlike medications which have to be approved by the FDA, supplements don't have to go through that same rigorous process. So basically, the manufacturers are responsible for making sure their stuff is safe and labeled correctly.

Speaker 1:

And you're trusting that they're doing that.

Speaker 2:

Well, oversight's limited. There have been cases where supplements have the wrong dosages, ingredients that aren't even listed, or even contaminants. You just don't know for sure what you're getting.

Speaker 1:

It's kind of a gamble and with this lack of regulation it must be incredibly hard to really know how much harm is being caused by supplements.

Speaker 2:

Totally. If products aren't standardized and there's no strict quality control, it's hard to do good research on them, good or bad. So consumers are left hanging, often relying on marketing claims that might not be backed up by science.

Speaker 1:

So how do we know who to trust?

Speaker 2:

That's the tough part. Let's talk about some specific groups who might be at even higher risk. Women, for example. They're often the target of a lot of supplement marketing. Oh yeah absolutely, and a lot of these campaigns push general dosages without thinking about how different women are different body sizes, ages, health conditions, so some women might end up taking way more than they should.

Speaker 1:

And women's hormones fluctuate throughout their lives. That must play a role too right.

Speaker 2:

Definitely the way some supplements interact with those hormonal changes. It's not always clear.

Speaker 1:

There could be unexpected consequences, so it's especially important for women to be careful. Are there other groups that need to be extra cautious about supplements?

Speaker 2:

For sure, older adults for one. They're often on multiple medications, so the risk of interactions with supplements is much higher. Plus, their liver and kidneys might not be as strong. To be extremely careful, some supplements that seem harmless could be dangerous for the baby.

Speaker 1:

That makes sense Anyone who's already dealing with a health issue.

Speaker 2:

Exactly. Anyone with a chronic condition needs personalized advice. Supplements could make their condition worse or interfere with their treatment. For all these groups, self-treating with supplements is risky. Talk to a doctor, it's just not worth it.

Speaker 1:

Okay, so we've talked about a lot of potential problems. What does it look like to use supplements responsibly? What advice would you give to our listeners who are thinking about taking supplements?

Speaker 2:

The number one thing is talk to a health care professional before you start anything new or change what you're already taking. It doesn't matter if it's your primary care doctor, a dietician or a pharmacist Someone who knows their stuff? Someone who knows their stuff. Yes, they'll look at your individual needs, your health history, what medications you're on and help you figure out what's safe.

Speaker 1:

So get personalized advice, not just follow generic recommendations.

Speaker 2:

Exactly. And if you're thinking about taking supplements for a specific deficiency, get tested. Don't just guess. Blood tests can tell you exactly what you need.

Speaker 1:

That way you're not just throwing darts in the dark.

Speaker 2:

Exactly and once you know what you need, if you do decide to supplement, stick to the recommended dosage. More isn't always better. In fact, it can be downright dangerous.

Speaker 1:

Okay, so get tested. Talk to your doctor, follow the directions. What about all the marketing claims out there? It's hard to know what to believe.

Speaker 2:

Right, You've got to be a smart shopper. Read labels carefully. Look at the ingredients, the dosage, any warnings. Be skeptical of anything that sounds too good to be true. Miraculous results? Probably a scam.

Speaker 1:

Do your research.

Speaker 2:

Yes, don't just believe what's on the package. Look for information from reliable sources and don't be swayed by testimonials or endorsements that don't have any science behind them.

Speaker 1:

So think critically, Don't just blindly trust. And what about once you start taking a supplement? What should people be looking out for?

Speaker 2:

Pay attention to how you feel. Notice any new symptoms, changes in energy levels, anything that seems off. If you're not seeing the benefits you expected or you think you might be having side effects, stop taking it and talk to your doctor. You might need to adjust the dose or stop altogether.

Speaker 1:

This has been a really insightful conversation. So just to wrap things up, supplements aren't inherently bad. In certain situations, with the right medical advice, they can be helpful.

Speaker 2:

Right, they have their place.

Speaker 1:

But the lack of regulation in the industry, all the marketing hype and the tendency to overdo it, especially with these biohacking trends, it's a risky situation. We're talking potential organ damage, dangerous interactions. It's serious stuff.

Speaker 2:

It really is. People need to stop experimenting on themselves and start making informed decisions with their doctor's guidance.

Speaker 1:

And for those of you listening who are serious about taking control of your health, getting healthier, living longer, but doing it the right way, the safe way, we highly recommend reaching out to the experts at LifeWellMZcom.

Speaker 2:

Absolutely.

Speaker 1:

Dr Kumar and his team. They specialize in personalized health care. They'll figure out exactly what your body needs and come up with a plan just for you.

Speaker 2:

They take a holistic approach. They don't just throw supplements at you, they look at the whole picture.

Speaker 1:

And getting started is easy. You can visit their website, LifeWellMDcom, or give them a call at 561-210-9999 to start your wellness journey. Don't leave your health to chance.

Speaker 2:

Right. Don't just trust what you see on a label. Get expert advice. You deserve to make informed decisions about your health.

Speaker 1:

And that brings up something important to think about. What if true health isn't about adding more and more things to your body? What if it's about really understanding what your body needs and working with experts to create a plan that's tailored just for you? Think about it Professional guidance based on science versus the risks of messing around with supplements you don't fully understand. It's about investing in your health the right way For the long haul, for the long haul, exactly. All right. Thanks for listening.