Below are some dietary supplements with potentially harmful side effects for children and people with bleeding disorders.

Bilberry

Bilberries look like blueberries and are rich in antioxidants. They have potential health benefits like reducing inflammation and blood sugar, improving vision, and supporting heart health, although additional studies are needed to confirm this. Bilberries may increase the risk of bleeding, which can be dangerous for people with bleeding disorders. They may cause lower blood sugar levels for people taking medicines to control their blood sugar. Bilberries may also interact with other medicines and may not be safe for children. Bilberries may not be safe for people who are breastfeeding or pregnant.4,5,7

Bromelain

Bromelain is a mixture of enzymes that help digest proteins. It may help with inflammation, pain, and swelling. More evidence is needed to confirm it helps with wound healing, burns and sinusitis. Bromelain may affect the blood’s ability to clot, which can increase the risk of bleeding. This can be dangerous in people with bleeding disorders. The side effects include upset stomach, allergic reaction for people with certain allergies, and heavy period bleeding. There may be interactions between Bromelain and antibiotics, sedatives, and blood thinners.1

Horse Chestnut

Horse chestnut is a tree found in southeast Europe. The dietary supplement people take comes from horse chestnut seed extract called aescin. Horse chestnut seed extract has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. It may help conditions in the short-term, like chronic venous insufficiency, healing after injury, and protecting against cellular damage. However, more research is needed to confirm these claims. Horse chestnut seed extract may interact with blood thinners, NSAIDs, lithium, insulin, and other diabetes medication.2,3,6

Garlic

Garlic is often believed to treat or prevent heart disease, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure. Side effects can include upset stomach, headaches, and fatigue. Garlic also may cause increased bleeding. Garlic may interact negatively with insulin, anticoagulants, immunosuppressive agents, and protease inhibitors, such as those used for HIV therapy. If you are interested in using garlic in a recipe or as a supplement, talk with your healthcare provider.

Ginger

Ginger is best known for its anti-nausea effects. Ginger may interact with prescription blood thinners, such as heparin and warfarin, and the platelet inhibitor ticlopidine. These drugs are not often used to treat people with bleeding disorders because they prolong clotting time. Ginger may also increase the risk of bleeding. If you are interested in using ginger in a recipe or as a supplement, talk with your healthcare provider.

Milk Thistle

Milk thistle has been used to treat liver diseases, such as cirrhosis and hepatitis, and gallbladder disorders. People with bleeding disorders, who have a liver condition, should contact their healthcare provider before using milk thistle. Side effects of milk thistle may include indigestion, headache, and itching. People with allergies to daisies, artichokes, or kiwi may also have an allergy to milk thistle. Milk thistle may lower blood sugar levels and may reduce the effectiveness of oral contraceptives.

Ginkgo Biloba

Ginkgo biloba may improve mental function, slow macular degeneration, and improve blood circulation, although large scale clinical studies have not shown these benefits. Ginkgo biloba may increase bleeding symptoms and the effects of antiplatelet or anticlotting drugs. This may lead to uncontrolled bleeding or hemorrhage. It may also decrease the effectiveness of immunosuppressive drugs. Gingko biloba may negatively affect the use of insulin and oral diabetes drugs.

Talk with your child's Hemophilia Treatment Center (HTC) or health care provider before taking any vitamins or supplements.

 

References

1. Bromelain (2022). Mount Sinai. Retrieved from https://www.mountsinai.org/health-library/supplement/bromelain

2. Kapusta, I., Janda, B., Szajwaj, B., Stochmal, A., Piacente, S., Pizza, C., … Oleszek, W. (2007). Flavonoids in horse chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum) seeds and powdered waste water byproducts. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 55(21), 8485–8490. doi:10.1021/jf071709t

3. Kharlamenko, A. (2019, April 2). 7 health benefits of horse chestnut abstract. Retrieved from https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/horse-chestnut-benefits

4. Persson, I. A.-L., Persson, K., & Andersson, R. G. G. (2009). Effect of Vaccinium myrtillus and its polyphenols on angiotensin-converting enzyme activity in human endothelial cells. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 57(11), 4626–4629. doi:10.1021/jf900128s

5. Petre, A., MS, RD. (2019, August 13). 9 emerging health benefits of bilberries. Retrieved from https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/bilberry-benefits

6. Pittler, M. H., & Ernst, E. (2012). Horse chestnut seed extract for chronic venous insufficiency. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 11, CD003230. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD003230.pub4

7. Ulbricht, C., Basch, E., Basch, S., Bent, S., Boon, H., Burke, D., … Woods, J. (2009). An evidence-based systematic review of bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus) by the Natural Standard Research Collaboration. Journal of Dietary Supplements, 6(2), 162–200. doi:10.1080/19390210902861858