A pharmacist has raised alarm bells over the improper use of certain supplements, stressing the need for caution and better warning labels to avoid serious health mistakes.
Ariana Medizade, known as @thewellnesspharm on social media, has gone viral with a video that’s racked up more than 138,000 views where she educates her audience on “how to take supplements the right way.”
She pressed the issue with a blunt on-screen message in her one-minute clip: “STOP MAKING THESE DANGEROUS SUPPLEMENT MISTAKES.”
Assuring that some supplements are not safe to consume solo, Medizade emphasized: “There should be a warning label on supplements for this, but I would never take vitamin D3 by itself. You always have to take vitamin D3 with K2.”
The risks associated with solo ingestion of vitamin D3, according to Medizade, include unwanted absorption of calcium in places it’s not needed, such as the arteries, potentially leading to calcification or other serious health complications down the line, reports Gloucestershire Live.
BetterYou adds context to her claim by stating that taking vitamin D3 together with vitamin K2 is crucial as it facilitates proper calcium absorption and distribution to bone mass whilst also preventing arterial calcification.
Moreover, vitamin K2 plays a critical role in regulating normal blood clotting, and vitamin D3 contributes to a healthy immune system and muscle function. The wellness website points out how integral these nutrients are and the challenge many face in getting adequate amounts from diet alone, given the scarcity of foods rich in K2.
Medizade has cautioned against using St John’s Wort, which is often taken for depression, menopausal symptoms, and anxiety, particularly for those on other medications such as oral contraceptives and antidepressants. She highlighted that it could lead to “breakthrough bleeding, follicle growth, and ovulation” when combined with other drugs due to a component known as a “CYP3A4 inducer,” which accelerates the metabolism of medications and may significantly reduce their effectiveness.
The National Institutes of Health named many CYP3A4 inducers like “barbiturates (phenobarbital), carbamazepine, corticosteroids, phenytoin, rifampicin and St John’s wort.”
Moreover, Medizade recommends against taking zinc and magnesium at the same time, stating that these minerals “compete for absorption” thus not maximising their benefits. “You’re just wasting your money,” she points out.
According to BetterYou, although zinc and magnesium are among the seven essential minerals needed for health including iron, calcium, iodine, silica, and selenium most people can combine them without issues. The caveat remains that one must be mindful of interactions with other minerals, such as calcium and iron, and vitamins that could compromise absorption.
“You should avoid taking zinc and copper together zinc, particularly in high doses, can stop your body absorbing copper and potentially lead to a deficiency. In some people, it can also cause bones to weaken.”
Ariana’s advice was well-received, as numerous followers expressed their gratitude for the tips she shared. One follower responded: “The way I just realized at 39yrs old how I prob ended up preggo at 18 ON BC, my mom had me taking St John’s for anxiety.”