Everything all natural is not all good. What do you know about all natural supplements that are sold without FDA regulation? Do you research before you buy? It would be wise. Although I believe that God put everything on this earth that we need, some things are not meant for human consumption, especially after the manufacturers tinker with the original chemical composition of an item. I don't intend on starting a one woman campaign on drugs and supplements, (I should and I could probably write a book) I just thought this was a little piece of interesting information.
[ This is all I have right now, so bear with me :) ]
One popular supplement Kava Kava, a short term anxiety treatment and also used for sleeping is known to cause liver damage, renal dysfunction, pulmonary hypertension and high cholesterol.
Another herbal supplemtent Germander is used for Gallbladder conditions, fever, Gout, Stomach ache, Diarrhea, Weight loss, used for an antiseptic, and as a mouthwash. According to WEBMD Germander is UNSAFE. France has banned its sale. Canada does not allow germander to be included in products that are taken by mouth. However, the US still allows germander to be used in small amounts as a flavoring agent in alcoholic beverages.
The safety concern is that germander has caused several cases of liver disease (hepatitis) and death.
Special Precautions & Warnings:
Germander shouldn't be used by anyone. Some people may be at even higher risk of side effects.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Germander is UNSAFE for anyone to take as medicine. If you take it while pregnant or breast-feeding, you will endanger yourself as well as your baby.
The Mayo Clinic says that Bitter Orange & Ephedra sinica , a species of ephedra (ma huang), (used for weight loss)contains the alkaloids ephedrine and pseudoephedrine, which have been found to induce central nervous system stimulation, bronchodilation, and vasoconstriction. In combination with caffeine, ephedrine appears to elicit weight loss (in trials of 1-12 months duration). However, studies of ephedra or ephedrine monotherapy have been equivocal. Numerous trials have documented the efficacy of ephedrine in the management of asthmatic bronchoconstriction and hypotension. However, commercial preparations of non-prescription supplements containing ephedra have not been systematically studied for these indications.
Major safety concerns have been associated with ephedra or ephedrine use, including hypertension (high blood pressure), tachycardia, CNS excitation, arrhythmia, myocardial infarction (heart attack), and stroke.
Finally from WEBMD regarding the supplement Yohimbe:
Yohimbe is the name of an evergreen tree that is found in Zaire, Cameroon, and Gabon. The bark of yohimbe contains a chemical called yohimbine, which is used to make medicine.
Yohimbe is used to arouse sexual excitement, for erectile dysfunction (ED), sexual problems caused by medications for depression called selective-serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), and general sexual problems in both men and women. It is also used for athletic performance, weight loss, exhaustion, chest pain, high blood pressure, low blood pressure that occurs when standing up, diabetic nerve pain, and for depression along with certain other medications.
How does it work?
Yohimbe contains a chemical called yohimbine which can increase blood flow and nerve impulses to the penis or vagina. It also helps counteract the sexual side effects of certain medications used for depression.
Yohimbe, taken by mouth, is POSSIBLY UNSAFE. Yohimbe has been linked to reports of severe side effects including irregular or rapid heart beat, kidney failure, seizure, heart attack, and others.
The primary active ingredient in yohimbe is a drug called yohimbine. This is considered a prescription drug in North America. This drug can be safely used short-term when monitored by a health professional. However, it is not appropriate for unsupervised use due to potentially serious side effects that it can cause.
Children should not take yohimbe. It is POSSIBLY UNSAFE for children because children appear to be extra sensitive to the harmful effects of yohimbe.
When taken by mouth in typical doses, yohimbe and the ingredient yohimbine can cause stomach upset, excitation, tremor, sleep problems, anxiety or agitation, high blood pressure, a racing heartbeat, dizziness, stomach problems, drooling, sinus pain, irritability, headache, frequent urination, bloating, rash, nausea, and vomiting.
Taking high doses can also cause other severe problems, including difficulty breathing, paralysis, very low blood pressure, heart problems, and death. After taking a one-day dose of yohimbine, one person reported an allergic reaction involving fever; chills; listlessness; itchy, scaly skin; progressive kidney failure; and symptoms that looked like the auto-immune disease called lupus.
Special Precautions & Warnings:
Pregnancy or breast-feeding: Yohimbe is LIKELY UNSAFE. Yohimbe might affect the uterus and endanger the pregnancy. It might also poison the unborn child. Don’t take yohimbe if you are pregnant or breast-feeding.
Schizophrenia: Use yohimbe with caution. The yohimbine in yohimbe might make people with schizophrenia psychotic.
Prostate problems: Use yohimbe with caution. Yohimbe might make the symptoms of BPH (benign prostatic hyperplasia) worse.
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD): Don’t use yohimbe. There is a report that four individuals with PTSD suffered worse symptoms after using yohimbe.
Liver disease: Don’t use yohimbe. Liver disease might change the way the body processes yohimbe.
Kidney disease: Don’t use yohimbe. There is a concern that yohimbine might slow or stop the flow of urine.
High blood pressure or low blood pressure: Don’t use yohimbe. Small amounts of yohimbine can increase blood pressure. Large amounts can cause dangerously low pressure.
Chest pain or heart disease: Don’t use yohimbe. Yohimbine can seriously harm the heart.
Anxiety: Don’t use yohimbe. Yohimbine might make anxiety worse.
Depression: Don’t use yohimbe. Yohimbine might bring out manic-like symptoms in people with bipolar depression or suicidal tendencies in individuals with depression.
Diabetes: Don’t use yohimbe. Yohimbe might interfere with insulin and other medications used for diabetes and cause low blood sugar.
Anything natural is safe. That is a misconception because there are lots of natural products which are very toxic.
ReplyDeleteWe as consumers have to pay attention to what we put in our bodies...while we can look for direction from Naturapaths we still must investigate our selves.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the information...
Cheers