Herbal supplements can damage kidneys, liver

[Guest guest]

Herbal supplements can damage kidneys, liver

Even with the recent banning of ephedra, consumers should remain cautious

about trying other herbal supplements.

(HealthNewsDigest.com)...According to doctors at UT Southwestern Medical

Center at Dallas, substances such as bitter orange, germander, jin bu huan

and usnic acid – ingredients in weight-loss products – have been associated

with kidney and liver problems.

“A number of herbal preparations have been implicated in causing liver

damage, some even leading to the need for a liver transplant or to death,”

says Dr. Lee, professor of internal medicine and an expert in

digestive and liver diseases. “Herbal products are not under any specific

supervision by the Food and Drug Administration, so there is no quality

control, no proof of efficacy and no tests of safety.”

The ban on ephedra, which had been linked to more than 150 deaths and dozens

of heart attacks and strokes, was the government’s first for a dietary

supplement. New manufacturing and labeling regulations for dietary

supplements are expected later this year, according to the FDA.

“The herbal industry is largely satisfying a need for self-remedies for

patients who are unwilling to seek conventional medical attention or are

wary of doctors,” says Dr. Lee. “Most supplements are indeed harmless and

only injure the pocketbook. Many people, however, take these compounds in

any amount, never limiting themselves to what is advised regarding dosing.”

www.HealthNewsDigest.com

[Guest guest]

Herbal supplements can damage kidneys, liver

Even with the recent banning of ephedra, consumers should remain cautious

about trying other herbal supplements.

(HealthNewsDigest.com)...According to doctors at UT Southwestern Medical

Center at Dallas, substances such as bitter orange, germander, jin bu huan

and usnic acid – ingredients in weight-loss products – have been associated

with kidney and liver problems.

“A number of herbal preparations have been implicated in causing liver

damage, some even leading to the need for a liver transplant or to death,”

says Dr. Lee, professor of internal medicine and an expert in

digestive and liver diseases. “Herbal products are not under any specific

supervision by the Food and Drug Administration, so there is no quality

control, no proof of efficacy and no tests of safety.”

The ban on ephedra, which had been linked to more than 150 deaths and dozens

of heart attacks and strokes, was the government’s first for a dietary

supplement. New manufacturing and labeling regulations for dietary

supplements are expected later this year, according to the FDA.

“The herbal industry is largely satisfying a need for self-remedies for

patients who are unwilling to seek conventional medical attention or are

wary of doctors,” says Dr. Lee. “Most supplements are indeed harmless and

only injure the pocketbook. Many people, however, take these compounds in

any amount, never limiting themselves to what is advised regarding dosing.”

www.HealthNewsDigest.com

[Guest guest]

Herbal supplements can damage kidneys, liver

Even with the recent banning of ephedra, consumers should remain cautious

about trying other herbal supplements.

(HealthNewsDigest.com)...According to doctors at UT Southwestern Medical

Center at Dallas, substances such as bitter orange, germander, jin bu huan

and usnic acid – ingredients in weight-loss products – have been associated

with kidney and liver problems.

“A number of herbal preparations have been implicated in causing liver

damage, some even leading to the need for a liver transplant or to death,”

says Dr. Lee, professor of internal medicine and an expert in

digestive and liver diseases. “Herbal products are not under any specific

supervision by the Food and Drug Administration, so there is no quality

control, no proof of efficacy and no tests of safety.”

The ban on ephedra, which had been linked to more than 150 deaths and dozens

of heart attacks and strokes, was the government’s first for a dietary

supplement. New manufacturing and labeling regulations for dietary

supplements are expected later this year, according to the FDA.

“The herbal industry is largely satisfying a need for self-remedies for

patients who are unwilling to seek conventional medical attention or are

wary of doctors,” says Dr. Lee. “Most supplements are indeed harmless and

only injure the pocketbook. Many people, however, take these compounds in

any amount, never limiting themselves to what is advised regarding dosing.”

www.HealthNewsDigest.com

[Guest guest]

Herbal supplements can damage kidneys, liver

Even with the recent banning of ephedra, consumers should remain cautious

about trying other herbal supplements.

(HealthNewsDigest.com)...According to doctors at UT Southwestern Medical

Center at Dallas, substances such as bitter orange, germander, jin bu huan

and usnic acid – ingredients in weight-loss products – have been associated

with kidney and liver problems.

“A number of herbal preparations have been implicated in causing liver

damage, some even leading to the need for a liver transplant or to death,”

says Dr. Lee, professor of internal medicine and an expert in

digestive and liver diseases. “Herbal products are not under any specific

supervision by the Food and Drug Administration, so there is no quality

control, no proof of efficacy and no tests of safety.”

The ban on ephedra, which had been linked to more than 150 deaths and dozens

of heart attacks and strokes, was the government’s first for a dietary

supplement. New manufacturing and labeling regulations for dietary

supplements are expected later this year, according to the FDA.

“The herbal industry is largely satisfying a need for self-remedies for

patients who are unwilling to seek conventional medical attention or are

wary of doctors,” says Dr. Lee. “Most supplements are indeed harmless and

only injure the pocketbook. Many people, however, take these compounds in

any amount, never limiting themselves to what is advised regarding dosing.”

www.HealthNewsDigest.com