These days, people are all about taking supplements for different things pertaining to their health. While supplements can be very helpful, some of them can do more harm than good.
Supplements are great for those who have gaps in their nutrition or need an extra push of a vitamin or nutrient to help alleviate any irritating side effects from an illness. There are a lot of safe supplements on the market, and they’re often not too expensive as well, causing more people to want to take them. However, there are certain supplements out there that, when taken in excess or unnecessarily, can end up causing more negative side effects than positive ones. Read more about two of them below.
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1. Zinc
Zinc has been known to boost people's immune systems, and now, during cold and flu season, it is extra popular, as many say it can help prevent colds and shorten them if you have one. Still, health experts advise against taking too much of it, even if you're worried about getting sick this time of year.
"Zinc plays an important role in immune response, tissue growth and repair (including hair follicle function), and neurotransmission among other processes," says NASM-certified nutrition coach Leilani Rose. "However, issues can occur when it's consistently consumed in large amounts (more than 40 mg/day for adults). High amounts of zinc can inhibit copper absorption. Copper helps your body with energy production, maintaining connective tissue, and nervous system health. Copper deficiency may cause hair loss, fatigue, or brain fog later on. This is definitely something to consider if you take multiple supplements with zinc and aren't tracking your overall consumption."
2. Ashwaganda
Ashwaganda is a supplement that has become increasingly trendy and popular, as it's been said to help some people alleviate depression and anxiety symptoms. However, that doesn't mean that for others, it can end up having an adverse effect, and people should always speak to a healthcare provider before taking it regularly.
"Ashwagandha is frequently used for stress and cortisol support, but it can increase thyroid hormone activity in certain individuals," explains functional health practitioner Kristen Blake. "For people who are sensitive, this may worsen anxiety, brain fog, heart palpitations, or even contribute to hair shedding related to thyroid imbalance. Additionally, because ashwagandha is an adaptogen that influences neurotransmitters and hormones, it isn't appropriate for everyone and should be individualized rather than taken blindly."
