The Prescrire magazine warns consumers: food supplements based on turmeric and vinpocetine can be dangerous for health.
Should I continue to take dietary supplements? Studies have already questioned their effectiveness, this time the review Prescribe alert to their dangers. Supplements containing vinpocetine can cause serious birth defects, and those containing turmeric can cause serious liver damage.
Vinpocetine: dangerous for the foeyou s
In June 2019, the FDA, the American drug agency, published on its website a alert regarding vinpocetine products. In pregnant women, they can increase the risk of miscarriage or alter the development of the foetus. The product is made from vincamine, a substance derived from lesser periwinkle. It is used for these properties believed to improve cognitive performance, boost energy and reduce body fat. The dangerous side effects of these supplements have been proven in animal studies.
Acute hepatitis due to turmeric supplements
Review Prescribe also presents the results of an Italian report on turmeric dietary supplements. 27 cases of acute hepatitis, which occurred in November 2018 and June 2019, are associated with taking these products. In 2009, similar cases were recorded in Sweden and Norway.
Useless products in most cases
In October 2019, the magazine 60 million consumers publishes an extensive study on 120 food supplements. She concludes that most of them are useless, even dangerous. Scientific studies proving their effectiveness are rare, and they often contain dangerous additives. According to the National Health Security Agencynearly 30% of 18-79 year olds consumed food supplements between 2014 and 2015.
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