A 34-year-old member asked:
I'm in my mid 30s and take vitamins such as calcium magnesium zinc and fish oil on a daily basis. are there any potential risks? is it safe?
5 doctor answers • 9 doctors weighed in
Dr. Michio Abeanswered
Internal Medicine 28 years experience
Supplements: I am not sure why you have decided to take these supplements. If you are a healthy person in your mid 30s, there is no reason for you to take them. It would be better to eat a balanced diet, including fruits, vegetables, whole grains and fatty fish (such as salmon). If you are healthy, you probably can take calcium 1000-1200mg, magnesium 400-500mg, zinc 10-40mg and fish oil 1000-4000mg daily.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Michio Abeanswered
Internal Medicine 28 years experience
Be careful with zinc: Zinc can be helpful in maintaining your healthy immune function, but too much zinc can actually decrease your immune function. Excess zinc can cause nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. It can also interfere with the absorption of other essential minerals, particularly magnesium and copper. A copper deficiency can inhibit the transport of iron in the body and result in anemia. The upper limit is 40mg/d.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Michael Fisheranswered
Dermatology 34 years experience
Zinc side effects: Zinc is likely safe for most adults when applied to the skin, or when taken by mouth in amounts not larger than 40 mg per day. Routine zinc supplementation is not recommended without the advice of a healthcare professional. In some people, zinc might cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, metallic taste, kidney and stomach damage, and other side effects. Using zinc on broken skin may cause burning, sti.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.9k viewsReviewed Dec 31, 2022
Dr. J. Lawrence Dohan commented
Dermatology 59 years experience
Taking Zinc can cause copper deficiency. Do it yourself is a popular game which generates billions of $ for some very dishonest people.Don't be a sucker.
Dec 23, 2014
Dr. Frank Kuitemsanswered
Internal Medicine 38 years experience
Harmfull fish oil: Study show fish or oil supplements or harmful they can cause heavy metal poisoning arsenic lead mercury and have no benefit. Study show that calcium supplements can increase the risk of heart disease the best benefit is to get calcium your dietary sources like low-fat cheese and milk
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
Dr. William Jenkins commented
Specializes in Anesthesiology
The metal poisoning is from unregulated dietary supplements. Prescription Lovaza and Vascepa are regulated by the FDA and do not contain contaminants
Jan 11, 2015
Dr. William Jenkinsanswered
Specializes in Anesthesiology
I would : not take any more than daily recommended requirements. Fish oil as a dietary supplement is not regulated by the FDA and you don't really know what's in the capsules, can be toxic. Vascepa and Lovaza are prescription, regulated by the FDA and with discount card less expensive
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
Last updated Dec 31, 2022
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