Surprising Side Effects of 5 Popular Supplements
That pill you take to boost energy or battle a cold could also create a few unusual symptoms
Loads of people take supplements to help them sleep, prevent a cold, boost energy, and even improve memory. But supplements aren't regulated by the FDA, so the manufacturers of these pills don't have to list any potential side effects. While studies on supplements and their side effects are limited and often inconclusive, we asked Sophia DeMonte, rPH, a COSTCO pharmacist, and APhA spokesperson and Dr. Carolyn Dean, MD, ND author of The Magnesium Miracle to detail some of the unexpected symptoms five common supplements may cause:
Possible side effects: Heartburn, burping, and diarrhea.
Fish oil caplets are a great way to boost intake of omega-3s, but the oil can cause gastric issues, more noticeable heartburn, and belching that's combined, unpleasantly, with a fishy aftertaste. Fortunately it's pretty easy to control these symptoms. Swallow the capsule in the middle of a meal so it mixes with the food, which improves digestion, and look for high-quality "purified" supplements, which cause less fishy burps.
