The discussion centers on the potential risks associated with dietary supplements, particularly their link to liver damage and the regulation of these products by the FDA. Participants explore the implications of excessive vitamin intake, especially Vitamin D, and the lack of oversight in the supplement industry.
Participants express concerns about the safety of dietary supplements and the potential for liver damage, but there is no consensus on the extent of the risks or the adequacy of current regulations. Multiple viewpoints regarding Vitamin D intake and its implications are presented, indicating ongoing debate.
Limitations include the lack of comprehensive studies on the majority of dietary supplements, the variability in individual responses to vitamin intake, and the potential for contamination in products. The discussion reflects a range of personal experiences and interpretations of available information.
I'm aware that excessive vitamins can cause liver damage. Too much Vitamin D can be harmful to the liver.New data suggests that his is not an isolated case. Dietary supplements account for nearly 20 percent of drug-related liver injuries that turn up in hospitals, up from 7 percent a decade ago, according to an analysis by a national network of liver specialists. The research included only the most severe cases of liver damage referred to a representative group of hospitals around the country, and the investigators said they were undercounting the actual number of cases.
While many patients recover once they stop taking the supplements and receive treatment, a few require liver transplants or die because of liver failure. Naive teenagers are not the only consumers at risk, the researchers said. Many are middle-aged women who turn to dietary supplements that promise to burn fat or speed up weight loss.
. . . .
“There unfortunately are criminals that feel it’s a business opportunity to spike some products and sell them as dietary supplements,” said Duffy MacKay, a spokesman for the Council for Responsible Nutrition, a supplement industry trade group. “It’s the fringe of the industry, but as you can see, it is affecting some consumers.” More popular supplements like vitamins, minerals, probiotics and fish oil had not been linked to “patterns of adverse effects,” he said.
The F.D.A. estimates that 70 percent of dietary supplement companies are not following basic quality control standards that would help prevent adulteration of their products. Of about 55,000 supplements that are sold in the United States, only 170 — about 0.3 percent — have been studied closely enough to determine their common side effects, said Dr. Paul A. Offit, the chief of infectious diseases at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and an expert on dietary supplements.
. . . .
Astronuc said:http://www.nytimes.com/2013/12/22/us/spike-in-harm-to-liver-is-tied-to-dietary-aids.html
I'm aware that excessive vitamins can cause liver damage. Too much Vitamin D can be harmful to the liver.
In healthy adults, sustained intake of more than 1250 micrograms/day (50,000 IU) can produce overt toxicity after several months...
...hypercalcemia is a strong indication of vitamin D toxicity...
If hypercalcemia is not treated, it results in excess deposits of calcium in soft tissues and organs such as the kidneys, liver, and heart, resulting in pain and organ damage.
Kidney damage may be irreversible.
(http://www.fda.gov/food/dietarysupplements/)Generally, manufacturers do not need to register their products with FDA or get FDA approval before producing or selling dietary supplements. Manufacturers must make sure that product label information is truthful and not misleading.
Most (59%) of the products tested contained DNA barcodes from plant species not listed on the labels. Although we were able to authenticate almost half (48%) of the products, one-third of these also contained contaminants and or fillers not listed on the label. Product substitution occurred in 30/44 of the products tested and only 2/12 companies had products without any substitution, contamination or fillers. Some of the contaminants we found pose serious health risks to consumers.
My last blood test showed that I have hypercalcemia, all my doctor did was check my thyroid (which is fine). But I don't take vitamin D supplements, I guess I need to ask him to check my vitamin D levels, thanks Borg!Borg said:Thanks for the note on Vitamin D Astronuc. My wife's doctors have been trying to get her to take excessive amounts because her Vitamin D levels are under 30. However, not once have they warned us of the potential consequences of taking their recommended 5000 IU/day. Your note on too much Vitamin D inspired me to look at the Wikipedia article on it and the section on excessive Vitamin D intake was an eye opener.
My daughter and I were advised to take Vitamin D supplement, but only on the order of 1000 IU/day, or less, and would take that every other day. I think 5000 IU/day is excessive and unnecessary.Borg said:Thanks for the note on Vitamin D Astronuc. My wife's doctors have been trying to get her to take excessive amounts because her Vitamin D levels are under 30. However, not once have they warned us of the potential consequences of taking their recommended 5000 IU/day. Your note on too much Vitamin D inspired me to look at the Wikipedia article on it and the section on excessive Vitamin D intake was an eye opener.
Astronuc said:I knew about excessive Vitamin-D, from news story about walrus liver. Older walruses may have a diet such that they have high levels of Vit-D. It is possible to get hypervitaminosis from eating those livers.
Among some Inuit folk who live on or near the Arctic coast, particularly where walrus populations.Greg Bernhardt said:Where is walrus liver a popular dish? :)