Warning of 15 health supplements that are potentially dangerous: Consumer Reports

Report finds risk in supplements Michelle Gerwing on a new report showing 15 supplements consumers should avoid.

New research from Consumer Reports is targeting 15 health supplements as being potentially dangerous.

The article lists the risks of taking the supplements, which could cause organ damage, cancer and cardiac arrest.

"You can’t trust that they're going to work or that they will be safe just by looking at the label," said Ellen Kunes, with Consumer Reports.

A panel of intendent doctors and dietary-supplement researchers put the list together, and argue the risks out-weigh the benefits.

"Consumer Reports has a history of often getting on an anti-vitamin, anti-herb bandwagon," said Nathan Zassman, who own the health store Aviva Health Solutions.

He said the majority of the products on the list are not available in Canada, and the ones that are, have a government issued natural product number, or NPN on the label.

"At least the consumer in Canada has the assurance that that particular product has been evaluated by health Canada and is considered to be safe,” he added.

However, registered dietitian, Semone Myrie, who is also a professor of human nutritional sciences at the University of Manitoba, explained that it is not that simple.

"Just because a product is said to be safe, it doesn't mean that it provides any health benefits," she said.

Myrie believes most Canadians do not need supplements, because they meet their nutritional needs through food.

She said consumers should look for supplements with proven health claims on the label, and to then research the benefits of taking that product.

"It has to be done repeatedly to ensure that this is reproducible results, so it's not just one study that says, 'hey, I took this product and I lost weight’, or a testimonial from one or two individuals who say they lost weight."

She also said to consult your doctor first, especially if you have a pre-existing condition that needs prescription drugs.

For store owner, Nathan Zassman, he said he addresses that topic with everyone who comes in his store looking for a supplement.

"We do not sell them a product until they get it approved by their doctor that the two can be combined,” he said.

Health Canada said 71 per cent of Canadians have taken some sort of natural health product in their lives, and 12 per cent of that number have reported unwanted side effects.

Here’s a list of the 15 supplements in the report:

Aconite

Caffeine Powder

Chaparral

Coltsfoot

Comfrey

Germander

Greater Celandine

Green Tea Extract Powder

Kava

Lobelia

Methylsynephrine

Pennyroyal Oil

Red Yeast Rice

Usnic Acid

Yohimbe