AARP Hearing Center
Key takeaways
- Talk to your doctor before taking supplements, especially if you take prescription medications or have underlying health conditions
- Know that some supplements can cause side effects and interact with medications you may be taking.
- Evaluate supplements like St. John’s wort and vitamin E carefully for risks in adults over 50.
Summary
Supplements for adults over 50 can offer potential health benefits, but some commonly used ones may pose unexpected risks. According to AARP Health Editor Rachel Nania, it’s important to carefully evaluate supplements like St. John’s wort, vitamin E, iron, licorice root, and certain weight loss or energy boosters before use. These supplements can interfere with medications, increase bleeding risk, raise blood pressure, or cause other serious side effects in older adults.
To protect your health, consult your doctor before adding or continuing any supplement, especially if you take prescription medications or have underlying conditions. For more expert insights on healthy aging, visit aarp.org/health.
The key takeaways and summary were created with the assistance of generative AI. An AARP editor reviewed and refined the content for accuracy and clarity.
Full Transcript:
[00:00:00] Supplements make all kinds of promises: better brain function, improved gut health, more energy, and who wouldn’t want that?
[00:00:08] But as we age, our bodies process medications and supplements differently, which can make side effects more likely and more dangerous.
[00:00:16] For people over 50, there are a few to consider carefully. Number one, St. John’s Wort. It’s a plant and herbal remedy that comes in pills, tinctures, even teas,
[00:00:26] and it’s marketed for mild depression. But it also speeds up certain liver enzymes that break down medications.
[00:00:34] That means other drugs you take may clear your system faster than they should, making your medications less effective without you realizing it.
[00:00:42] Second, vitamin E. Many people take it to reduce inflammation or boost brain
[00:00:47] health, but vitamin E can contribute to an increased risk of bleeding, and that’s especially concerning for anyone taking blood thinners, which
[00:00:55] are commonly prescribed later in life for heart and circulation issues. Number three, iron. Iron supplements are essential for treating iron deficiency anemia,
[00:01:04] especially in younger women. But older men and women typically don’t need extra iron, and too much can be harmful.
[00:01:12] Excess iron has been linked to higher risks of heart disease, diabetes and organ damage.
[00:01:18] Number four, licorice root. This popular supplement is found in pills and in many teas.
[00:01:24] Some people use it for gut health, stress relief or an energy boost. But natural licorice contains a compound called glycyrrhizin.
[00:01:33] In high amounts or with regular use, it can raise blood pressure, cause swelling, and even trigger heart rhythm problems.
[00:01:39] So check with a health professional if you want to use it regularly. And finally, weight loss and energy boosting supplements.
[00:01:47] Labeled ingredients could include things like guarana, green tea extract and garcinia cambogia.
[00:01:53] These can stimulate the central nervous system to decrease hunger and fatigue. But for older adults, these can trigger higher blood pressure, a
[00:02:01] faster heart rate and dangerous interactions with heart medications. For anyone with underlying heart conditions, these
[00:02:08] supplements can make them worse. The bottom line, just because something is sold over the counter, doesn’t mean it’s
[00:02:14] safe for you, especially as we get older. So check with your doctor to make sure every supplement you’re taking
[00:02:21] is safe, necessary, and will not interact with your other medications.
[00:02:26] And for more timely and relevant health news, visit aarp.org/health.
