SUPPLEMENTS AND SURGERY: A DANGEROUS COMBINATION

Going under the knife? The American Academy of Anesthesiologists recommends patients stop taking all supplements two to three weeks before undergoing surgery. Apparently some herbs can cause problems
during surgery. For example, St. John's Wort has been shown to make anesthesia less effective. Other herbs can cause dangerous changes in blood pressure or cardiac arrest.

Also, before resuming any dietary supplement use after surgery, it is a good idea to ask your doctor about the possibility of harmful interactions between any drugs prescribed during your recovery and the
supplements you wish to continue taking.

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