Natural Does Not Mean Safe

Natural does not always mean safe

Many supplements and some prescription drugs come from natural sources, but "natural" does not always mean "safe". NIH's example: the kava plant belongs to the pepper family, yet kava supplements can cause liver disease. [1] FDA says the same about herbal supplements and fish oil: natural does not always mean safe, and "all-natural" weight loss products may interact with medicines or be dangerous with certain conditions. [2]

The two main concerns

NIH names two main safety concerns for dietary supplements: drug interactions (St. John's wort can interfere with antidepressants) and product contamination (supplements have been found to contain hidden prescription drugs or other compounds, particularly in products marketed for weight loss, sexual health and athletic performance or body-building). [3] See Medicine interactions and Product quality and contamination.

Other points from NIH

• Safety depends on the specific therapy, and each product should be considered on its own. [3]
• Acute liver damage from supplements is still rare but more cases are being reported, and it can be severe, require an emergency liver transplant, and is sometimes fatal. [1] See Liver safety.
• A 2015 study estimated about 23,000 emergency room visits a year in the United States from dietary supplements, many from young adults with heart problems after weight-loss or energy products and older adults with swallowing problems from large vitamin pills. [1]
• What is on the label may not be what is in the product. [1]
• Many supplements have not been tested in pregnant women, nursing mothers or children. [1] See Life stages.
• "Standardized", "verified" or "certified" does not necessarily guarantee product quality or consistency. [1]

What to do

1. Tell every health professional and your pharmacist what you take. [4]
2. Follow the label. If you have side effects, stop and contact your provider. [1]
3. Be extra careful with medicines, surgery, pregnancy, children and existing conditions.
4. Do not stop a prescribed medicine to try a natural remedy.

Where to go next

Safety by remedy type · Talking with a health professional