Hypertension and Dietary Supplements: 5 Dangerous Combinations

The article warns people with hypertension about the dangers of certain dietary supplements. It lists five supplements: high-dose vitamin D, licorice root, St. John's wort, arnica taken internally, and bitter orange. These can cause blood pressure spikes, neutralize the effects of medications, or threaten a hypertensive crisis. It is recommended to consult a doctor before taking any supplements.

The article warns that people with hypertension should be cautious when taking dietary supplements, as some natural supplements can cause blood pressure spikes or neutralize the effects of medications. It lists five dangerous combinations: 1) high doses of vitamin D (over 10,000 IU per day) cause hypercalcemia, which damages blood vessels, and reduce the effectiveness of diuretics; 2) licorice root retains sodium and excretes potassium, causing edema and blood pressure spikes, and with diuretics can lead to potassium deficiency; 3) St. John's wort accelerates the breakdown of blood pressure medications (verapamil, nifedipine) in the liver, reducing their strength; 4) arnica taken internally is dangerous: vomiting, toxic heart damage, increased blood pressure; 5) bitter orange (synephrine) stimulates the nervous system, constricts blood vessels, accelerates heart rate, threatening a hypertensive crisis. Conclusion: with hypertension, any supplements and herbal teas should be coordinated with a doctor. Source: egeszsegkalauz.