Kidney Damage From Aristolochic Acid in Dietary Supplements – (07-17-00)

Kidney Damage From Aristolochic Acid in Dietary Supplements

I always recommend consulting a physician knowledgeable in natural medicine before taking any herbal products. Don’t trust the commissioned employee at the big chain stores with only a few hours of training with your health.

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has sent letters to healthcare professionals and industry officials warning them of the possibility that certain botanical products, including some dietary supplements, contain aristolochic acid and may cause kidney toxicity. “Aristolochic acids,” the FDA said, “are potent carcinogens and nephrotoxins that are present, primarily, in plants of the family Aristolochiaceae.” These types of plants are used in traditional Chinese medicines and may be found in some dietary supplements.