FDA has issued a new warning that health supplements may not be as beneficial as we have been led to believe. In fact, they may be harmful to your health.

A report by a University of Arizona professor, Janet Funk, has linked turmeric supplements and liver disease, and it has prompted the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to issue a warning to those who regularly take health supplements.

It is not always the natural ingredients that may cause side-effects, the FDA has actually found unapproved ingredients in over 800 supplements that were sold between 2007 and 2016.

There also is not a way to tell the amount of the ingredients included in the supplements, and this means that those who take these drugs may be taking high levels of unknown ingredients.

“These products have the potential to cause severe adverse health effects owing to accidental misuse, overuse, or interaction with other medications, underlying health conditions, or other drugs within the same dietary supplement,” says the authors of the study. The study was led by Madhur Kumar from the California Department of Public Health Food and Drug Branch.

The report states that the majority of the supplements that had hidden ingredients were for weight loss, sexual enhancement, and muscle-building. Some of the active ingredients can damage blood vessels, increase the risk of heart disease, cause liver or kidney problems, and trigger mental health issues.

A Widespread Problem

You most likely know someone who has taken affected supplements, as 50 percent of adults use some type of supplement. Many feel like the FDA is not taking a strong enough stance against the problem.

However, in an email to CNN, a spokesperson from the FDA, Lindsay Haake states “the FDA recognizes the seriousness of this problem and continues to act within its resources and authorities to address this problem as best it can. 

She continues, “The agency’s primary objective is to mitigate any risk posed to public health by informing consumers about any dangers associated with the product and to work to remove it from the market as soon as possible.”

At the moment, less than half of the affected products have been recalled. If you are taking any supplements, you should consult a medical professional.