Nährstoffsupplemente - Möglichkeiten und Grenzen. Teil 6: Sicherheit und mögliche Risiken

authored by

A. Ströhle, A.  Hahn

Abstract

Due to the precautionary principle in consumer protection, thresholds for long-term safety of nutrients have to be defined. Three toxical indicators are of interest: lowest observed adverse effect level (LOAEL); no observed adverse effect level (NOAEL) und tolerable level of upper intake (UL). An uptake of a nutrient within the range of UL is without side effects even on the basis of long term consumption. The UL can be used to derive maximum levels for nutrients in food supplements. In general, vitamins can be regarded as safe nutrients except for vitamin A. Adverse effects only occur at excessive intake far beyond the recommended daily allowances. In contrast, the range of safe intake for minerals, especially trace elements, is much smaller. This can be seen clearly in the case of selenium. In order to prevent severe selenium deficiency a plasma concentration of > 0.25 μmol/l (> 20 μg/l) must be reached. To minimize cancer risk a plasma concentration of 1.5 μmol/l (120?μg/l) is needed. First signs of selenium intoxications occur at plasma levels over 250 μg/l. It is the dose that makes the preventive effect and the poison as well.

Organisation(s)

Institute of Food Science and Human Nutrition
Nutrition Physiology and Human Nutrition Section

Type

Article

Journal

Medizinische Monatsschrift fur Pharmazeuten

Volume

37

Pages

249-256

No. of pages

8

ISSN

0342-9601

Publication date

07.2014

Publication status

Published

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Pharmacology (medical)

Sustainable Development Goals

SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being