Thread: Are supplements safe

Originally posted by kimchibanana
ive been taking 450mgs of Valerian root 3 mgs of melatonin and 100mgs of b-6 every night for about 2 months are these all safe for everyday use?

NO! Definitely stop. I dunno about Valerian and Melatonin, but taking that much b6 every night for a long period of time has a chance of doing you neurological damage. Jeez.

IF you're going to use b6 (Again, I DONT know about Valerian or melatonin), I'd restrict it to once a week, MAX.

For reference: the reccommended daily level of b6 you should be getting is 2mg. You've been taking 5000% of that for two months. NOT GOOD. It's OKAY to go over the limit for b6, but NOT for extended periods of time. Somebody correct me if I'm wrong, cos I might be, but, I'd STOP. BAD.

verify for me someone?

Originally posted by kimchibanana
ive been taking 450mgs of Valerian root 3 mgs of melatonin and 100mgs of b-6 every night for about 2 months are these all safe for everyday use?

wow 2 months is a long time. I agree with Blue Meanie you should stop and take those things only once or twice a week.

I don't know about the other stuff either but I read that such high doses b6 can cause nerve damage in hand and feet if it's taken over long periods of time. Taking it once or twice a week should be safe though.

I pity the fool.

What is the health risk of too much vitamin B6?

Too much vitamin B6 can result in nerve damage to the arms and legs. This neuropathy is usually related to high intake of vitamin B6 from supplements, [28] and is reversible when supplementation is stopped. According to the Institute of Medicine, "Several reports show sensory neuropathy at doses lower than 500 mg per day" [12]. As previously mentioned, the Food and Nutrition Board of the Institute of Medicine has established an upper tolerable intake level (UL) for vitamin B6 of 100 mg per day for all adults [12]. "As intake increases above the UL, the risk of adverse effects increases [12]."[/b]

http://dietary-supplements.info.nih.gov/fa...s/vitaminb6.asp

Safety of Melatonin

The findings of this review suggest that exogenous melatonin is a relatively safe substance when used in the short term, over a period of days or weeks, and is safe at relatively high doses and in various formulations. However, the safety of exogenous melatonin when used in the long-term, over months and years, remains unclear.[/b]

http://www.ahrq.gov/clinic/epcsums/melatsum.htm

Can valerian be harmful?

Few adverse events attributable to valerian have been reported for clinical study participants. Headaches, dizziness, pruritus, and gastrointestinal disturbances are the most common effects reported in clinical trials but similar effects were also reported for the placebo [14-17]. In one study an increase in sleepiness was noted the morning after 900 mg of valerian was taken [14]. Investigators from another study concluded that 600 mg of valerian (LI 156) did not have a clinically significant effect on reaction time, alertness, and concentration the morning after ingestion [27]. Several case reports described adverse effects, but in one case where suicide was attempted with a massive overdose it is not possible to clearly attribute the symptoms to valerian [28-31].

Valepotriates, which are a component of valerian but are not necessarily present in commercial preparations, had cytotoxic activity in vitro but were not carcinogenic in animal studies [32-35].

Who should not take valerian?

* ** Women who are pregnant or nursing should not take valerian without medical advice because the possible risks to the fetus or infant have not been evaluated [36].
* ** Children under age 3 years should not take valerian because the possible risks to children of this age have not been evaluated [36].
* ** Individuals taking valerian should be aware of the theoretical possibility of additive sedative effects from alcohol or sedative drugs, such as barbiturates and benzodiazepines [10,37,38].[/b]

http://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Valerian.asp#h8