What are the consequences of taking a supplement?

Taking a natural drug without knowing its dose, efficacy, or side effects carries significant health risks, including organ damage, dangerous drug interactions. Fat-soluble vitamins (such as Vitamins A, D, E, and K) and certain minerals do not flush out in urine; instead, they accumulate in your liver and fatty tissues. Excess intake can lead to liver damage, bone pain, nerve damage, kidney stones, and severe toxicity. Supplements can also dangerously alter how prescription medications work. For example, Vitamin K can reduce the effectiveness of blood thinners like warfarin, while St. John's wort can weaken antidepressants, birth control, or heart medications.

Thousands of supplements are being sold online and consumed by the public, with the hope that these naturally occurring substances may have some utility to maintain and/or restore health. Consumers purchase these products blindly, without the awareness that the drug can cause unexpected side effects, allergic reactions, and dangerous drug interactions. Treatment success is generally unclear or very low.