Ginger Smith thought she was doing everything right. The 30-year-old brand influencer in Seattle would take high doses of vitamin C, vitamin D, turmeric, a special de-bloat supplement, and regularly drink water with electrolytes. For a couple of years she felt healthy and energised – until intense lower back pain sent her to the doctor. Within days, an ultrasound revealed a kidney stone so large – between two and three centimetres – that doctors told her they would have to operate to remove it. The cause, they said, was her daily cocktail of supplements. 'I never would have thought that by trying to improve my health, I would end up in such a bad way,' she says. The operation cost her $6,000 (£4,500) – and that was with insurance.
Smith is not alone. A recent survey by consumer group Which? found that 76% of those asked took at least one supplement regularly – including vitamins, minerals, omega-3, probiotics and herbal supplements – and nearly a fifth took four or more every day. While supplements can play a vital role when needed, some experts warn that our eagerness to optimise health is now endangering it. They have told the BBC they are seeing a growing number of patients and clients with liver, kidney and gastrointestinal issues caused by people taking a growing number and range of supplements.
“A woman needed surgery for a huge kidney stone after taking multiple supplements daily, experts warn of rising harm.”
One nutritionist describes the situation as 'insane'. 'Some are beginning to think that taking a pill is better than eating food,' she says. 'It is not.' Gastroenterologist Dr Pedro de Maria Pallares from the Hospital Universitario La Paz in Madrid says increasing numbers of patients are coming to him with liver problems attributed to over-supplementation.
For Smith, the lesson came at a steep price – both in pain and money. She now knows that what started as a quest for better health nearly left her permanently damaged.