In the past, Consumer Reports has run articles about the most dangerous nutritional supplements. I've got my own list of the “bottom 12” nutritional supplements. But I like to pair those unsuitable supplements with the natural solutions you can use instead. In each case below, the "Avoid" nutritional supplement has undesirable side effects, and the "Take" nutritional supplement will give you the same benefits without the side effects.
Dangerous Nutritional Supplements and Their Substitutes
| Avoid: American scullcap | Take: St. John's wort or ginkgo |
| Avoid: Androstenedione | Take: Glutamine or tyrosine |
| Avoid: Bitter orange | Take: Digestive enzyme supplements |
| Avoid: Chapparal | Take: Beta glucan |
| Avoid: Comfrey | Take: Digestive enzymes |
| Avoid: Danshen | Take: Niacin |
| Avoid: Germander | Take: Chitosan |
| Avoid: Gugulipid | Take: Niacin |
| Avoid: Kava | Take: Passion flower |
| Avoid: Lobelia | Take: Fish oil, magnesium, and quercetin |
| Avoid: Pennyroyal oil | Take: Digestive enzymes |
| Avoid: Yohimbe | Take: Muira puama or L-arginine |
