Dietary Supplements—For Whom? The Current State of Knowledge about the Health Effects of Selected Supplement Use

Abstract

Dietary supplements are products containing nutrients sold in various medicinal forms, and their widespread use may stem from the conviction that a preparation that looks like a drug must have therapeutic properties. The aim of this scoping review is to present what is known about the effects of using selected dietary supplements in the context of chronic diseases, as well as the risks associated with their use. The literature shows that the taking of vitamin and mineral supplements by healthy people neither lowers their risk of cardiovascular diseases nor prevents the development of malignancies. Many scientific societies recognize that omega-3 fatty acids lower blood triglycerides, but whether taking them prevents heart disease is less clear-cut. Taking weight loss supplements is not an effective method of fighting obesity. Often, some supplements are increasingly sold illegally, which is then also associated with the higher risk that they may be adulterated with banned substances, thus making them even more dangerous and potentially life-threatening. Supplements are necessary in cases of nutrient deficiency; however, even though prescription is not required, their use should be recommended and monitored by a physician.

Interactions between Food and Drugs, and Nutritional Status in Renal Patients: A Narrative Review

“…In general, reports on the adverse events attributable to herbal or phytochemicals products are quite rare; the effects are generally mild and include headaches, nausea, and fatigue. More serious events, such as liver damage or bleeding, have also been described [ 114 , 116 ].…”

Os Impactos Que as Deficiências Por Minerais Trazem À Saúde Da População Mundial Nas Entrelinhas De Uma Revisão Integrativa

“…Nesse sentido, embora a aparência frequentemente possa remeter a drogas e fármacos, os suplementos são classificados como produtos alimentares (27) .…”

Association between Consumption of Dietary Supplements and Chronic Kidney Disease Prevalence: Results of the Korean Nationwide Population-Based Survey

“…Today, there are thousands of dietary supplements available on the market, including vitamins and minerals, plant ingredients and extracts, proteins and amino acids, omega-3 fatty acids, probiotics, and prebiotics [ 5 , 6 , 7 ]. Some research has indicated that dietary supplements can compensate for the nutritional deficit derived from unbalanced diets and can assist in prolonging the lifespan and provide some benefits in diseases, although evidence of direct effects is still insufficient [ 7 , 8 , 9 ].…”