Dietary supplements have the benefit of an excellent safety record - very few adverse incidents are reported each year, particularly when compared with prescription drugs, over the counter medications, and even food allergies. Still, some cautions should be observed.
Any substance can be toxic if you consume too much of it, and that includes supplements. There is still some question as to the safe upper limits of many vitamins and minerals. In the nutrition field, this is known as the Tolerable Upper Intake Level. For a number of reasons, scientific information concerning these levels is a bit sparse, although growing. (The reasons mentioned are complex and require an entire report to discuss. You are encouraged to seek out information about that, but we will not be going into them here.)
Researchers are constantly working to acquire more knowledge as more and more people discover the fantastic benefits of dietary supplements. For instance, we now know that without the proper balance of minerals, the body cannot utilize vitamins. That proper balance becomes clearer all the time.
We also know that our food contains far too few minerals now, primarily because due to the excessive use of commercial NPK fertilizers. For example, in 1948, a bowl of spinach used to contain about 150 milligrams of iron. But today that same bowl of spinach contains only about 2 milligrams! You'd have to eat 75 howls of spinach today to get the same mineral content of only 50 years ago. Hence, the need to take dietary supplements.
Most vitamins and minerals are quite safe even within a wide dosage level. Most of these substances have a long history of use, so even though much information is anecdotal, it is available. Still, some vitamins and minerals can be hazardous if taken in overly large quantities. As an example, the consequences of excessive manganese intake are serious neurological problems, and the level at which these problems can exhibit is only slightly higher than the Recommended Daily Allowance level.
Clearly, this is an area where you need to be careful and become aware of the risks. There is plenty of information available to you on the web and at the library, but as always, consider the source and verify! You should always consult a physician or nutritionist before consuming any large doses of supplements, but for the most part they are very safe. Particularly within the RDA guideline there is little risk. You should make yourself aware of the safe, known limits, and also of the symptoms of overdose.
Remember that herbs can be extremely potent - morphine, digitalis and curare are based on herbal remedies. So don't be lulled into thinking that just because a product is herbal based it is harmless. You still need to be aware of possible interaction and safe consumption levels. An experienced herbalist has centuries of knowledge to tap into - they are a valuable resource.
Always check labels for ingredients you may be allergic to. Keep in mind that while most supplements can interact with prescription drugs, as long as you stay aware of the potential hazards, the incredible benefits of supplementation will far outweigh the slight risks. Millions of people around the world enjoy more energy and longer life as a result of supplementing their diet. This is a vast and fascinating topic, and I encourage you to learn more.
