The Dangers of Illegal Health Supplements

People who take illegal health supplements only take them for one of two reasons. Either because they buy into the idea of the benefits the supplement has to offer, or because they have no idea what they’re buying or where they’re buying from.
Read More:
- The Side Effects of Low Testosterone in Men
- Natural & Healthy Sugar Alternative for Kids
- Understanding The Female Menstrual Cycle
The UAE has a strict policy on what supplements can be brought in to the country and has zero-tolerance for illegal health supplements and medications. With that being said, illegal health supplements do still exist, and it’s important to know what the dangers of health supplements are.
Health Supplements in The UAE

Possession of even the smallest amounts of illegal medication or supplements will be confiscated and punishable to all expatriates and travellers coming to and from the UAE. The best way to know if a supplement is legal or illegal is to visit the Ministry of Health website to see if a certain medication is verified or not.
The same goes for prescription medicine of any type. Be sure to bring a prescription for all the medication you carry, including details of how much you’re bringing and the duration you will be taking it for.
Possible Dangers if You Take Illegal Health Supplements

Here are the possible risks and dangers you put yourself in when taking illegal health supplements.
- Aggravate existing health complications – If you already have an existing health complication whether it be something milder such as the flu or gastro to more serious complications such as diabetes or cancer, taking the wrong supplements or illegal ones will worsen the condition, and that’s the last thing you need when ill.
- Poisoning – Illegal health supplements put you at risk of poisoning. This can compromise your entire health system and make you sick as opposed to improving your health. Poisoning can also occur when you overdose too much on a certain ingredient.
- Malnutrition – Especially when taking dietary supplements, malnutrition can open the doors for so many other illnesses and diseases. Taking supplements with certain dangerous ingredients can prevent you from eating well and consuming the important nutrients that you need.
- Unhealthy weight gain or weight loss – Illegal supplements, especially for dietary or athletic performance purposes, can lead to unhealthy weight management. Some supplements can blow up your weight to unhealthy and unsustainable levels. Illegal health supplements can also put you grossly underweight due to malnutrition.
- Weakened immune system – Certain ingredients can weaken and destroy all the cells in your body, making your body more susceptible to illnesses and diseases. A weakened immune system can also be the result of malnutrition or poisoning that is also caused by poor supplementation.
- Difficult treatment process – Taking illegal or banned substances can be hard to treat. Especially if the supplement you are taking is from overseas and is not common in the country, doctors within the UAE may not have the facilities or resources to be able to treat its side effects. This can prove a big hassle to doctors as well as putting your health at adverse risk.
Other side effects and risks of illegal supplements include:
- Dehydration
- Muscle cramps
- High blood pressure
- Difficulty sleeping
- Hallucinations
- Stroke
- Heart attack and other circulatory problems
- Drop-in blood pressure
- Loss of coordination and impaired motor ability
- Death
Do Your Research

When shopping for supplements, there are so many different product brands, types, varieties, and sellers. At this stage, it’s all up to your judgment to pick the right ones and avoid the bad ones. Even though a supplement may be legal in another country, it doesn’t mean that it’s okay to use it.
There’s a ban for a reason so you need to be cautious as you would with your health. Before purchasing or consuming a health supplement, make sure you research what’s in it, the product’s history, and whether the seller is legitimate.
Consider a Healthier Lifestyle
Most people don’t need supplementation if they’re already doing all the right things in their daily lives. This includes eating well, staying physically active and getting sufficient rest.
Taking basic supplements such as protein supplements, fish oil and multivitamins should be enough if you are looking after your health well. Anything outside of that needs to be heavily considered. Moderating all your supplements is also key as you can overdose even on basic or common supplements.
Speak with Your Doctor, and You’ll be Fine
Illegal health supplements and its dangers can be avoided entirely if you speak to your doctor regarding what you’re trying to do with your health. Whether you’re supplementing for general health, athletic performance, or enhanced cognitive ability, always speak with your doctor to identify what exactly you’re trying to achieve and what supplements you can and can’t take based on your health condition.
Head over to the Okadoc app to immediately book an appointment with your health practitioner.
More Articles
Back to School: Prepare Your Kids for School After COVID-19
With more kids going back to in-person classes this year, with the COVID-19 Delta variant on the rise, this year’s back-to-school won’t be as usual.
Fresh Recipes To Cool Down The Summer Heat
From the easiest summer salad recipe to simple desserts, these easy summer recipe ideas will keep your summery breezy.
Why Watching TV Is Good?
Do you ever think that spending hours in front of the TV is not a healthy option for spending time? What if we told you that this has several benefits?
How To Heal & Prevent Sunburn?
Sunburn is a skin burn that occurs if exposed to the sun for too long without precautions. Here are some tips on how to heal sunburn and how to prevent it.
What To Eat For Suhoor? Easy And Healthy Ideas
For people who fast in Ramadan, Suhoor is considered as body fuel, this is why it’s important to have a balanced meal. Here is our healthy recipes selection
Obstructive Sleep Apnea: Could You Be At Risk?
What is Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)? What causes it? How to detect it? And how to treat it? Learn more about how a billion people are impacted…
5 Reasons To Start Working Out Now
You’ve probably heard countless times how working out have many benefits for the whole body and mind. Here is 5 reasons why you should start working out now
Virtual Consultation With Doctors Through Okadoc
Okadoc now offers virtual consultation with trusted doctors and hospitals. Learn more here!
Reasons Why You Always Feel Hungry
Hunger is a natural signal to your body that it needs more food. There are many explanations why you constantly feel hungry, read more to discover them.
The 7 Most Common Menstrual Disorders
Some women have little or no problems during their periods, while others have different menstrual disorders due to many causes. Learn more about this topic.