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12 dangerous supplements

Many Americans love taking dietary supplements, hoping to stay healthy. What many consumers might not know is that supplement manufacturers do not have to prove to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that their products are safe and effective. As a matter of facts, many supplements can be outright dangerous to your health. Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database, an independent research group that evaluates the safety and effectiveness of nutritional supplements, recently found following 12 supplements harmful to your health.

1. Aconite: This is the most common cause of herbal poisoning in Asia, especially in Hong Kong
2. Yohimbe: This can cause high blood pressure, rapid heart rate, even death that were warned by FDA
3. Bitter Orange: This can cause arrhythmia, heart attacks and was banned by FDA in 2004
4. Lobelia: Its overdose can cause tachycardia, low blood pressure and was warned by FDA in 1993
5. Chaparral: This can cause damage to liver, kidneys
6. Kava: It can cause liver damage and was warned by FDA in 2002 and banned in Canada
7. Colloidal Silver: This can not only cause skin discoloration but also neurological damage
8. Greater Celandine: This can cause liver damage
9. Coltsfoot: This can cause liver damage
10. Germanium: This can cause severe kidney damage and was warned by FDA in 1993
11. Comfrey: This can cause liver damage, cancer and FDA advised to remove it from the market
12. Country Mallow: This can cause heart attack, arrhythmia, stroke

What to do to avoid potentially dangerous supplements?

You should look for the "USP verified" mark that indicates that manufacturers have asked U.S. Pharmacopeia to verify the quality of their products.
You should look at FDA website www.fda.gov/food/dietarysupplements for alerts and avisories.
Lastly but not the least, do not forget to consult your doctors or pharmacists who can help you stay away from supplements that may not be neccessary or may even be harmful to your specific health conditions.