Study: Dietary supplements may increase the risk of death in children and adolescents

Health and Medical

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) – Over-the-counter supplements may be harmful and potentially lethal to children and young people, according to new findings.

According to a study at Harvard University and published in the Journal of Adolescent Health, about 40 percent of people under the age of 25 who took weight loss drugs, muscle building and supplements had severe medical complications.

"The FDA has issued innumerable warnings about supplements sold for weight loss, muscle building, athletic performance, sexual functions and energy, and we know that these products are widely marketed and used by young people," said Flora Ur, a Harvard researcher."He said.

The study included data from the Food and Drug Administration's adverse events reporting system in the food and nutrition supplement database between January 2004 and April 2015. The researchers compared the risk of death, disability and hospital visits to people aged 0-25 who took vitamins compared to weight loss, muscle building, Energy Supplements.

The researchers found that weight loss, muscle building and energy supplements are nearly three times the risk of severe medical complications compared to vitamins. The researchers say many supplements have been found containing contaminants such as heavy metals, pesticides and other harmful chemicals, including prescription drugs. Previous studies have shown that supplements containing these substances have been linked to liver damage, testicular cancer and death.

"How can we continue to allow the manufacturers of these products and the retailers who benefit from Russian roulette with young Americans," said Bryan Austin, a professor at Harvard University, adding: "It is time for policymakers and retailers to take meaningful action to protect children and consumers from all ages.

(tagsToTranslate) Dietary supplements (t) Damage to dietary supplements (t) Early death (t) Muscle building