Many people take supplements every day to make up for nutrients they may lack. However, supplements taken for health can instead harm the body depending on their type and dosage. What about pharmacists? We asked pharmacist Jeong Jae-hoon directly whether there are any supplements he personally avoids.
Pharmacist Jeong Jae-hoon first said, “I avoid high-dose beta-carotene.” Beta-carotene is a type of carotenoid that is converted into vitamin A in the body and is known to be involved in antioxidant activity, vision and immune function. However, a large-scale clinical trial involving smokers found that high-dose beta-carotene supplements actually increased the risk of lung cancer. Pharmacist Jeong Jae-hoon said, “There are research findings showing that beta-carotene actually increased the risk of lung cancer in a large-scale clinical trial involving smokers,” adding, “Smokers in particular should avoid taking it in high doses.”
Pharmacist Jeong Jae-hoon also said, “Vitamin E should be used with caution.” Vitamin E is known as an antioxidant vitamin that protects cells from oxidative damage, but taking high-dose supplements is not always beneficial to health. Pharmacist Jeong said, “The risk of developing prostate cancer was found to be 17% higher in the group given 400 IU of vitamin E per day than in the placebo group.”
The last one was pyridoxine. Pyridoxine is a form of vitamin B6 and a nutrient needed for the metabolism of nutrients such as protein and carbohydrates, as well as for nervous system and immune function. In particular, it is involved in more than 100 enzyme reactions in the body. However, taking more than necessary for a long period can cause nerve damage. Pharmacist Jeong Jae-hoon said, “High-dose, long-term use of pyridoxine can also cause peripheral neuropathy, so I avoid it whenever possible.”
Pharmacist Jeong Jae-hoon said, “Regardless of the supplement, I generally avoid ‘high doses,’” adding, “The benefits do not increase, while the risk of side effects or toxicity may increase.” He also cautioned that taking multiple supplements at once can lead to excessive accumulation of the same ingredient. In particular, before taking high-dose supplements for an extended period, it is advisable to consult a pharmacist to determine the appropriate dosage and duration.
Pharmacist Jeong Jae-hoon first said, “I avoid high-dose beta-carotene.” Beta-carotene is a type of carotenoid that is converted into vitamin A in the body and is known to be involved in antioxidant activity, vision and immune function. However, a large-scale clinical trial involving smokers found that high-dose beta-carotene supplements actually increased the risk of lung cancer. Pharmacist Jeong Jae-hoon said, “There are research findings showing that beta-carotene actually increased the risk of lung cancer in a large-scale clinical trial involving smokers,” adding, “Smokers in particular should avoid taking it in high doses.”
Pharmacist Jeong Jae-hoon also said, “Vitamin E should be used with caution.” Vitamin E is known as an antioxidant vitamin that protects cells from oxidative damage, but taking high-dose supplements is not always beneficial to health. Pharmacist Jeong said, “The risk of developing prostate cancer was found to be 17% higher in the group given 400 IU of vitamin E per day than in the placebo group.”
The last one was pyridoxine. Pyridoxine is a form of vitamin B6 and a nutrient needed for the metabolism of nutrients such as protein and carbohydrates, as well as for nervous system and immune function. In particular, it is involved in more than 100 enzyme reactions in the body. However, taking more than necessary for a long period can cause nerve damage. Pharmacist Jeong Jae-hoon said, “High-dose, long-term use of pyridoxine can also cause peripheral neuropathy, so I avoid it whenever possible.”
Pharmacist Jeong Jae-hoon said, “Regardless of the supplement, I generally avoid ‘high doses,’” adding, “The benefits do not increase, while the risk of side effects or toxicity may increase.” He also cautioned that taking multiple supplements at once can lead to excessive accumulation of the same ingredient. In particular, before taking high-dose supplements for an extended period, it is advisable to consult a pharmacist to determine the appropriate dosage and duration.