Millions of us take vitamins and minerals every day hoping to improve our overall health, and when we’re sick we increase our nutrients in a bid to heal quicker.
While most people get what they need by eating healthily, others want a little extra nutrient boost, and get that through supplements.
However, some people don’t know that you have to be very careful about what you take and when, as mixing certain pills can cause problems with your health rather than benefitting it.
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With this in mind, here are the combos you really should avoid - unless otherwise advised by a medical professional - according to The Healthy:
St. John’s wort and antidepressants
You need to be mindful of a supplement reacting with any over-the-counter or prescription drugs, says Robert Glatter, an assistant professor of emergency medicine at Northwell Health. As an example, the commonly taken herbal medicine St. John’s wort may cause fever, confusion, and anxiety if it’s taken with other antidepressants.
This is because both of the above increase levels of the feel-good brain chemical serotonin. “This can cause serotonin syndrome and in severe cases, it may lead to muscle rigidity and seizures,” he says.
Calcium and magnesium
If you take these two minerals at the same time it can reduce their effectiveness, says Tod Cooperman, MD, president of independent testing company consumerlab.com.
“Taking large amounts of minerals with other minerals will reduce absorption,” he says. Essentially, the minerals compete with one another - and both lose out. This is why it's sensible to take any mineral supplements at least two hours apart.
Iron and green tea
Iron is vital for your energy as it helps distribute oxygen to cells. But you won't be able to absorb the mineral if you mix it with green tea, black tea, or curcumin supplements.
It’s perfectly fine to drink green tea beverages - just don’t wash down your iron supplements with it. Dr Cooperman advises to spread the two apart by a couple of hours.
Iron and antibiotics
If you're taking antibiotics - particularly those in the tetracycline family - along with iron supplements, then the former may not work as well. As such, it's advised to space the two out.
Fish oil and gingko biloba
Widely touted to soothe inflammation and boost your mood, Omega-3 fish oil supplements aren't so good for you if combined with herbs that thin the blood—such as ginkgo biloba or garlic.
Dr Cooperman says this could prevent clotting which can can lead to uncontrolled bleeding. Again, for safety it's sensible to split them up by at least two hours.
Melatonin and other sedating herbs
Any herb or supplement with sedating properties is liable to have an adverse effect on you if overdone. These include valerian, melatonin, ashwagandha, kava, and St. John's wort. Dr Cooperman says: “When taken together, they can cause too much sleepiness".
Vitamins A, D, E, and K
If you are taking vitamin K with other fat-soluble vitamins - such as A, D, or E - you may not be absorbing as much as you would by taking them at different times.
Dr Cooperman advises: “If you take a multivitamin don’t worry, but if you are K deficient and need extra K, take it two hours apart from the other fat-soluble vitamins,” he says.
Red yeast rice and niacin
If you are one of the near-40 per cent of people in the UK with high cholesterol, you are already possibly taking a natural supplement to lower your levels. Two such pills said to lower cholesterol levels - red yeast rice and niacin - do not play nicely together.
Family medicine specialist Todd Sontag says: “Doubling up doesn’t increase the benefits and may be harmful to the liver."
Furthermore, if you add a prescription cholesterol-lowering drugs into the mix, your risks can increase.
Calcium and potassium
As already discussed, necessary minerals will often compete for absorption by the body - meaning you get less of each when taking them together. Anyone with digestive issues, or who works or exercises in humid climates, can fall short on potassium. If you do need to take both supplements, make sure to space them out by a few hours.
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