Toxicity of Herbs, Vitamins, and Supplements

Iwouno

et al. 2021

PeerJ

The significant attention gained by food-sourced vitamins has provided insights into numerous current researches; for instance, the potential reversal of epigenetic age using a diet and lifestyle intervention, the balance between food and dietary supplements in the general population, the role of diet and food intake in age-related macular degeneration, and the association of dietary supplement use, nutrient intake and mortality among adults. As relevant literature about food-sourced vitamin increases, continuous synthesis is warranted. To supplement existing information, this perspective review discussed food-sourced vitamins for consumer diet and health needs, scoping from vitamin absorption, metabolic functions, utilization, to balancing nutritional requirements. Relevant literatures were identified through a search of databases like Google Scholar, Web of Science, the Interscience Online Library, ScienceDirect, and PubMed. We demonstrated that vitamins whether from plant- and animal-based sources are prerequisites for the metabolic functions of the human body. The fat- and water-soluble classification of vitamins remains consistent with their respective absorption and dissolution potentials, underpinned by numerous physiological functions. Vitamins, largely absorbed in the small intestine, have their bioavailability dependent on the food composition, its associated interactions, as well as alignment with their metabolic functions, which involves antioxidants, coenzymes, electron acceptor/donor, and hormones. Moreover, vitamin deficiencies, in every form, pose a serious threat to human health. Vitamin toxicities remain rare, but can still occur mainly from supplementation, although it appears much less in water-soluble vitamins of which some excesses get readily removed by the human body, different from the fat-soluble ones that are stored in tissues and organs. Besides discussions of absorption, transport, and cellular uptake of vitamins, this perspective review also included approaches to meeting vitamin requirements and therapeutic strategies against micronutrient deficiency and COVID-19. We have also attempted on how to strike the balance between food-sourced vitamins and dietary supplements.

Section: Discussion Of Literature Synthesismentioning

confidence: 99%

Revisiting food-sourced vitamins for consumer diet and health needs: a perspective review, from vitamin classification, metabolic functions, absorption, utilization, to balancing nutritional requirements

Iwouno

et al. 2021

PeerJ

“…3 The National Kidney Foundation has cautioned against the use of herbal supplements and drugs without adequate monitoring as vulnerable populations like those with chronic kidney disease (CKD) can suffer significant damage. 4 , 5 The kidneys which are involved in the elimination of xenobiotics, environmental agent and metals through glomerular filtration, tubular secretion and metabolism is highly vulnerable to the toxicity of these agents. 6…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Traditional medicines prescribed for prevention of COVID‐19: Use with caution

et al. 2021

Acute interstitial nephritis can result due to exposure to any medication, toxins, infections or malignancy. In the midst of this Coronavirus (COVID‐19) pandemic, there has been a race for finding remedies to prevent the spread of and control the complications due to Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2. Certain Indian medicinal herb concoctions like kabasura kudineer and nilavembu kudineer are being widely publicized to boost immunity and reduce the risk of developing COVID‐19. Little knowledge exists about the adverse effects of these herbal remedies. We report two patients who presented to us with vague complaints following the ingestion of kabasura kudineer and we diagnosed them with acute tubulointerstitial nephritis (ATIN). The temporal relationship of ingestion of these remedies to the development of ATIN calls for vigilance and caution with regular monitoring of renal functions especially in those with chronic kidney disease.

“…Supplementation in diet should be done cautiously because supplements have the potential to be toxic and are poorly regulated with respect to their efficacy and composition[ 93 ]. Fish oil supplementation may be warranted in children who refuse to eat salmon or other low mercury fish and shellfish.…”

Section: Healthy Diet Includes Whole Foods and May Include Supplements When Warrantedmentioning

confidence: 99%

Connecting inorganic mercury and lead measurements in blood to dietary sources of exposure that may impact child development

Dufault¹,

Wolle²,

Kingston³

et al. 2021

WJM

Pre-natal and post-natal chemical exposures and co-exposures from a variety of sources including contaminated air, water, soil, and food are common and associated with poorer birth and child health outcomes. Poor diet is a contributing factor in the development of child behavioral disorders. Child behavior and learning can be adversely impacted when gene expression is altered by dietary transcription factors such as zinc insufficiency or deficiency or by exposure to toxic substances permitted in our food supply such as mercury, lead, or organophosphate pesticide residue. Children with autism spectrum disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorders exhibit decreased or impaired PON1 gene activity which is needed by the body to metabolize and excrete neurotoxic organophosphate pesticides. In this current review we present an updated macroepigenetic model that explains how dietary inorganic mercury and lead exposures from unhealthy diet may lead to elevated blood mercury and/or lead levels and the development of symptoms associated with the autism and attention deficit-hyperactivity disorders. PON1 gene activity may be suppressed by inadequate dietary calcium, selenium, and fatty acid intake or exposures to lead or mercury. The model may assist clinicians in diagnosing and treating the symptoms associated with these childhood neurodevelopmental disorders. Recommendations for future research are provided based on the updated model and review of recently published literature.