Supplements can be a great way to get important nutrients into your diet, but they aren’t right for everyone.
People with metabolic syndrome, a group of health conditions that includes high blood pressure, high blood sugar, abnormal cholesterol or triglyceride levels, and excess body fat around the waist, should be especially careful about supplementation. .
For EatingWell, dietitian Isabel Vasquez revealed the five supplements you shouldn’t take if you have metabolic syndrome: chromium, niacin, green tea, bitter melon, and milk thistle.
Chromium
Chromium is an essential trace mineral found in foods such as grape juice and broccoli. Some people take chromium to regulate their blood sugar and cholesterol or to improve their athletic performance, despite limited evidence of its effectiveness.
“Although some studies suggest that (the supplement) chromium picolinate may improve insulin sensitivity, the evidence is inconclusive and inconsistent,” Michelle Routhenstein, preventive cardiology dietitian at Fully Nourished, tells EatingWell.
Chromium can also interact with insulin and diabetes medications, causing unwanted side effects.
“Excessive consumption can lead to negative side effects such as kidney damage and gastrointestinal problems,” Routhenstein explained.
Niacin
Niacin, also known as vitamin B3, helps your body turn food into energy and keeps your nervous system, digestive system and skin healthy, according to the Mayo Clinic.
People take prescription niacin to lower their cholesterol levels or their risk of heart attack.
Vasquez warned people not to take a niacin supplement if they have metabolic syndrome.
“A recent study found that for participants taking statins, which lower cholesterol, adding a niacin supplement increased HDL,” Vasquez wrote.
“It’s generally good – after all, HDL is the ‘good’ type of cholesterol,” she added. “In this case, however, HDL levels skyrocketed so much that they actually increased the risk of atherosclerosis (plaque buildup in the arteries).”
Green tea
People can generally safely drink six to eight cups of green tea per day, but supplementation can pose health risks, especially for people with metabolic syndrome, Vasquez warned.
Green tea extract can be found in various supplements that promote weight loss and metabolic health, but it’s important to know that green tea has been shown to interact with some medications used to treat cardiovascular problems.
Some people who took green tea extract supplements for weight loss have developed a rare liver injury, reports the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.
Bitter melon
Bitter melon has been linked to lower blood sugar levels, according to Healthline.
The fruit contains chemicals that appear to mimic insulin. Vasquez said cooking with bitter melon is good, but taking a bitter melon supplement may not be safe or effective in treating diabetes, especially in the long term.
Vasquez referenced a study that found bitter melon helped lower blood sugar in patients with type 2 diabetes who took it for 12 weeks. However, this study was only tested in the short term.
Milk thistle
Milk thistle is another supplement advertised for people with diabetes or high blood sugar.
However, there is not enough data to support the theory that this is useful.
“There is simply no evidence that it works for treating metabolic syndrome or improving liver health,” registered dietitian nutritionist Lauren Mahesri tells EatingWell.
Additionally, people allergic to plants like ragweed, marigold, or daisy may be allergic to milk thistle since it is a similar plant.
Health recommendations
Experts support a healthy, balanced diet, consisting of plenty of fruits, vegetables and healthy grains, as well as exercise and regular consultation with a doctor.
“Monitoring your cardiometabolic risk factors by performing regular physical exams and checking your blood pressure at home can help you track your progress, make necessary adjustments, and adapt your plan to help manage metabolic syndrome,” Routhenstein said.
News Source : nypost.com
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