Health officials from Atlanta, USA were stunned to notice 180 reports of illnesses in people who took dietary supplements containing toxic levels of the mineral selenium. The dietary supplement which was linked to the mineral selenium was Total Body Formula and Total Body Mega Formula.
Federal officials had warned about the side-effects of harmful doses of selenium, a mineral considered healthful in small amounts which was noticed in plastic bottles of the liquid supplement. The supplement manufacturer had also recalled the product on 27th March, inspite of the steps taken, there were reports of 184 illnesses
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration noticed up to 200 times the label level of selenium in the products. There were also 17 times the label level of chromium found but it has not yet concluded if those levels are toxic. Although there no deaths reported, one person has been hospitalized.
The symptoms that have been observed are hair loss, discolored and painful fingernails, muscle cramps, joint pain, diarrhea and fatigue. Victims have grown ill 5 to 10 days after beginning to take the affected products. Guess rather than relying on dietary supplements, natural diet is safer to follow for the time being.