The hazards associated with dietary supplements have been
well-documented—with Herbalife, Hydroxycut, and Garcina cambogia all
tied to potential liver failure in adults. And according to a new
retrospective, observational study in the Journal of Adolescent Health,
teenagers and young adults are also at risk for complications—including
hospitalization and death.testosterone powder
“The FDA has issued countless warnings about supplements sold for weight
loss, muscle building or sport performance, sexual function, and
energy, and we know these products are widely marketed to and used by
young people,” said lead study author Flora Or, ScD, in a press release.
“So what are the consequences for their health? That’s the question we
wanted to answer.” Dr. Or is a researcher with Harvard Chan School’s
Strategic Training Initiative for the Prevention of Eating Disorders.
The study authors used adverse event reports from the U.S. Food and Drug
Administration Adverse Event Reporting System on food and dietary
supplements database spanning January 2004 and April 2015. They
calculated the relative risk of severe medical events (including death,
disability, life-threatening events, hospitalization, emergency room
visit, and required intervention to prevent permanent disability)
associated with dietary supplements in patients aged between zero and 25
years.
Over the 11 years studied, 977 single-supplement–related adverse events
occurred. Just over half (50.6%) affected females (mean age = 16.5 years
[standard deviation = 7.5 years]). Compared to vitamins, a
significantly higher risk for severe medical events was observed in
supplements promoting muscle building (risk ratio [RR] = 2.7; 95%
confidence interval [CI] = 1.9–4.0), energy (RR = 2.6; 95% CI =
1.9–3.6), and weight loss (RR = 2.6; 95% CI = 1.9–3.4).
Senior author S. Bryn Austin, ScD, a professor in the Department of
Social and Behavioral Sciences, questioned why action has not been taken
sooner to prevent adolescents from taking these supplements.
“How can we continue to let the manufacturers of these products and the
retailers who profit from them play Russian roulette with America’s
youth?” said Dr. Austin. “It is well past time for policymakers and
retailers to take meaningful action to protect children and consumers of
all ages.”
