Can Taking Too Many Vitamins Be Deadly
Although its extremely rare to die from a vitamin overdose, there have been reported instances of death related to vitamin toxicity.
For example, hypervitaminosis A can be caused by taking one large dose of over 200 mg of vitamin A, or chronic use of more than 10 times the recommended daily intake .
Vitamin A toxicity may lead to serious complications, such as increased spinal fluid pressure, coma, and potentially fatal organ damage .
Additionally, taking megadoses of vitamin D more than 50,000 IU daily over long periods can lead to high blood levels of calcium , which can lead to death .
Overdosing on other vitamins can likewise cause potentially fatal side effects, such as liver damage.
A case report found that taking very high doses of over 5 grams of extended-release niacin can lead to metabolic acidosis, a buildup of acid in body fluids, as well as acute liver failure both of which can be fatal .
Keep in mind that these potentially deadly side effects are associated with taking exceptionally high doses of vitamins. Even so, caution should always be taken when consuming any dietary supplement.
sUMMARY
Side Effects Of Overconsuming Water
When taken in excess, some water-soluble vitamins can cause adverse effects, some of which can be dangerous.
However, similarly to vitamin K, certain water-soluble vitamins have no observable toxicity and hence no set UL.
These vitamins include vitamin B1 , vitamin B2 , vitamin B5 , vitamin B7 , and vitamin B12 .
Its important to note that while these vitamins have no observable toxicity, some of them may interact with medications and interfere with blood testing results. Therefore, caution should be taken with all nutritional supplements.
The following water-soluble vitamins have set ULs, as they can cause adverse side effects when taken in high doses:
- Vitamin C. Although vitamin C has relatively low toxicity, high doses of it can cause gastrointestinal disturbances, including diarrhea, cramps, nausea, and vomiting. Migraines can occur at doses of 6 grams per day .
- Vitamin B3 . When taken in the form of nicotinic acid, niacin can lead to high blood pressure, abdominal pain, impaired vision, and liver damage when consumed in high doses of 13 grams per day .
- Vitamin B6 . Long-term overconsumption of B6 can cause severe neurological symptoms, skin lesions, sensitivity to light, nausea, and heartburn, with some of these symptoms occurring at intakes of 16 grams per day .
- Vitamin B9 . Taking too much folate or folic acid in supplement form may affect mental function, negatively impact the immune system, and mask a potentially severe vitamin B12 deficiency .
Does The Intake Of Other Fat
It has been hypothesized that two other fat-soluble vitamins, vitamin K and vitamin A, may play important roles in vitamin D toxicity.
Vitamin K helps regulate where calcium ends up in the body, and high amounts of vitamin D may deplete the bodys stores of vitamin K (
36 ).
Keep in mind that these are just hypotheses, but it may be wise to make sure youre getting enough of these nutrients if youre going to supplement with vitamin D.
Summary
If youre supplementing with vitamin D, then it may be important to also ensure sufficient intake of vitamin A, vitamin K, and magnesium. These may reduce the risk of adverse effects from a higher vitamin D intake.
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Folic Acid Supplement In Pregnancy
If you’re pregnant, trying for a baby or could get pregnant, it’s recommended that you take a 400 microgram folic acid supplement every day until you’re 12 weeks pregnant. Folic acid supplements need to be taken before you get pregnant, so start taking them before you stop using contraception or if there’s a chance you might get pregnant.
Folic acid can help to prevent neural tube defects such as spina bifida.
Find out more about vitamins, supplements and nutrition in pregnancy.
Too Much Vitamin E Can Cause Fatal Bleeding
Vitamin E can be your circulatory system’s best friend. It helps with blood vessel dilation, lowers your chances of heart disease, and helps prevent blood clots from forming . But these benefits can become health issues when vitamin E levels become very elevated.
As Healthline revealed, when your intake of vitamin E is too high, the same properties in it that stop blood clots from happening can also thin your blood to the point that you could experience fatal bleeding. Not surprisingly, an excess of vitamin E can put you at higher risk of a hemorrhagic stroke, which is caused by bleeding in or around the brain. And, of course, all of these possible scenarios become even more likely if you’re already on a blood thinner.
Besides supplements, vitamin E is found in a number of cooking oils, including those made from corn, safflowers, soybeans, sunflowers, and wheat germ . Foods like broccoli, kiwis, tomatoes, peanut butter, spinach, mangoes, almonds, and hazelnuts are also major sources of the vitamin.
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What Are The Signs You Are Taking Too Many Supplements
For every supplement you take, there is likely a list of potential side effects. For example, taking too much niacin can lead to permanent liver damage.
Although you may not be able to tell at first, you will eventually notice that your body is not functioning the way it should.
The easiest way to tell if you are taking too many supplements is to simply confirm that you are not taking too high of a dose of any nutrient, mineral, or vitamin.
Remember you will also get at least some of the nutrients you need from food, so you should actually try to take the minimum amount of supplements recommended.
How Much Vitamin D Do You Need
Wondering, âHow much vitamin D do I need?â The recommended dietary allowance for people in different age groups is shown below. These recommendations come from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. Based on a number of factors, however, your healthcare provider may suggest doses that are higher or lower than whatâs listedâso consider asking your provider for their recommendation. Note that the amount of vitamin D in foods and supplements is usually expressed in terms of International Units , so âIU/dayâ refers to âInternational Units per day.â
Recommended dietary allowance for vitamin D followed by the upper intake level:
Infants 0-6 months
- 400 IU/day for adequate intake
- Upper intake level of 1,000 IU/day
Infants 6-12 months
- 400 IU/day for adequate intake
- Upper intake level of 1,500 IU/day
Children 1-3 years old
- Recommended dietary allowance of 600 IU/day
- Upper intake level of 2,500 IU/day
Children 4-8 years old
- Recommended dietary allowance of 600 IU/day
- Upper intake level of 3,000 IU/day
People 9-70 years old
- Recommended dietary allowance of 600 IU/day
- Upper intake level of 4,000 IU/day
People over 70 years old
- Recommended dietary allowance of 800 IU/day
- Upper intake level of 4,000 IU/day
Women 14-50 years old who are pregnant or lactating
- Recommended dietary allowance of 600 IU/day
- Upper intake level of 4,000 IU/day
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Rapid Or Irregular Heartbeat
According to a study by the New England Journal of Medicine, weight-loss supplements are the #1 reason for supplement-related trips to the emergency room. Some of those supplements contain stimulants, which can cause distressing side effects like a rapid or irregular heartbeat, dizziness, or increased blood pressure, says the National Institutes of Health’s Office of Dietary Supplements.
How To Take Vitamins Safely
The best way for most of us to get enough vitamins is to eat a varied and balanced diet. However, certain groups are at at a higher risk of deficiencies than the general population, and they are recommended to use supplements. These include:
- Women who are trying to conceive or are in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy are recommended to take folic acid.
- The current recommendation is for all UK adults to take a vitamin D supplement.
- Children aged six months to five years should be given a supplement containing vitamins A, C and D.
- People who follow a vegan or vegetarian diet should take vitamin B12 and omega-3 fatty acids.
Some nutritionists feel that taking a multivitamin is unnecessary if you are eating a healthy diet, but there may be a benefit to certain vitamins in certain situations, says Dr Lee. A good example is the current advice to take additional vitamin D during the current pandemic.
Its important to note that some vitamins should be taken together, and some at separate times, she continues. For example, calcium and vitamin D are taken at the same time, but calcium prevents the absorption of iron from the gut, so calcium and iron should be taken at separate times.
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Overdoing Vitamin Supplements Could Have Side Effects Like Diarrhea Or Hair Loss According To A Nutritionist
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Taking vitamin supplements you might not need is not only pointless, but can be dangerous.
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If you’re not deficient in a nutrient, your body can’t use it as a supplement, registered nutritionist Rhiannon Lambert told Insider.
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Overdosing can lead to harmful side effects, like diarrhea or hair loss.
Vitamin supplements can be useful for filling nutritional gaps in our diets. 31% of Americans are at risk of at least one vitamin deficiency, research suggests.
But there are potential problems with taking vitamin supplements your body doesn’t need, registered nutritionist Rhiannon Lambert explains in her upcoming book, “The Science of Nutrition.”
If you take a vitamin supplement and your body isn’t deficient in that nurtient, in some cases, toxic build-up can occur, which can lead to issues like nausea, diarrhea, stomach cramps, hair loss, gastrointestinal upset, fatigue, and mild nerve damage, Lambert told Insider.
Should You Talk To A Doctor If You Were Taking Too Many Supplements
It is always recommended that you meet with your doctor if you have any concerns about your health. If you accidentally took too many supplements for a few days, you may not need to arrange to consult with your doctor right away.
However, anyone experiencing serious side effects associated with supplement overdose should go to an emergency room at once. Testing can be conducted and necessary medical procedures can be performed if your life is at risk.
Remember that supplements also include protein shakes, diet pills, and herbs designed to improve sexual performance. The nutritional supplements you are taking have not been approved by the FDA.
Supplements may have questionable ingredients in them. Any supplement that has not been thoroughly tested by respected medical associations can cause a host of unknown side effects to occur.
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Overdoing It On Manganese Can Cause A Condition Similar To Parkinson’s Disease
Though a trace mineral, manganese is found in some multivitamins and, thankfully, it’s not likely to cause you health concerns. As Medical News Today noted, the body cannot produce manganese and even foods like brown rice, pinto beans, pecans, sweet potatoes, and spinach only contain a small amount of it. Although it’s advised against, even if you overdo it on manganese supplements, it’s unlikely you will see any symptoms for years.
However, people in certain occupations, like welders, do have to worry about being exposed to high levels of manganese in the air, according to the publication. And because they are breathing it in rather than ingesting it, the dangers are greater because it goes straight from the nose to the brain. Over time, this overexposure can lead to tremors, problems walking, hallucinations, acute bronchitis, and a condition that is similar to Parkinson’s disease called manganism.
Although it is less likely to develop these symptoms from the manganese in multivitamins, supplements, food, and water, it’s more of a possibility for people with iron deficiencies and liver conditions . Children and newborns are also more at risk of having adverse reactions to manganese.
Liver Damage Can Be A Sign Of Too Much Iron
There’s no denying how important iron is to the body. Just as lungs are essential to take in oxygen, the iron in red blood cells delivers that oxygen to all of the body’s cells . Naturally, being low on iron can be bad for your health, but that doesn’t mean too much iron isn’t dangerous.
As Healthline noted, taking one dose of an iron supplement or iron-containing multivitamin with 10 to 20 mg/kg can be enough to trigger side effects, including stomach pain and vomiting. Medical help is needed if you take in anything higher than 40 mg/kg. Long-term use of supplements at high doses can also be unsafe because as the iron builds up in the body, it causes life-threatening damage to your brain and liver. In addition, excessive iron can encourage the growth of bacteria and viruses, taxing the immune system.
While red meat is known for being rich in iron, the Mayo Clinic explained that other animal-based meats as well as plant-based foods have high iron content. Also, vitamin C helps your body absorb iron.
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Always Run Things By Your Healthcare Provider
It’s a good idea to talk with your healthcare provider about the supplements you’re taking on a regular basis, said Kitchin, especially if you have a health condition, a dietary restriction, or you’re on any type of medication. You should also run any new supplements you’re considering by your provider or pharmacist before adding them to your regimen.
It’s also important to focus on getting your nutrients from food first, said Dr. Jenkins, and not from supplements. “Pills are not a substitute for a good dietplant-based, fruit, veggies, whole grains, nuts, and seeds,” Dr. Jenkins said. “They are packed with what you need.”
Peer Into Your Pillbox: It May Be Time To Streamline Your Drug Regimen
Medication regimens often start simply, perhaps with a multivitamin and a single prescription drug to treat a chronic condition. But with age and more health problems, a regimen may grow to include additional prescription drugs and dietary supplements , plus over-the-counter medicines to reduce symptoms such as pain or heartburn. In time, you can find yourself facing a crowded pillbox and a complicated regimen.
“Among people age 62 to about 85, a third will take five medications per person. In the higher-risk population that I take care of, those people average 15 medications per person. And some of the dialysis patients take about 20 prescriptions,” says Joanne Doyle Petrongolo, a pharmacist at Harvard-affiliated Massachusetts General Hospital.
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Can You Overdose On Vitamins
Taking vitamins is part of the daily routine of millions of people worldwide.
Though directions for safe dosing are listed on most supplement bottles, its common practice to take more than whats recommended.
Consumers are bombarded with health information telling them that taking high doses of certain vitamins can benefit their health in many ways. However, taking too much of some nutrients can be dangerous.
This article reviews the safety of taking vitamins, as well as the side effects and potential risks associated with consuming high doses.
How Much Vitamin D Is Too Much The Surprising Truth
Vitamin D toxicity is rare, but it does occur with extremely high doses.
It usually develops over time, since extra vitamin D can build up in the body.
Nearly all vitamin D overdoses result from taking high amounts of vitamin D supplements.
Its almost impossible to get too much vitamin D from sunlight or food.
This is a detailed article about vitamin D toxicity and how much of it is considered to be too much.
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Can You Have Too Much Of A Good Thing
Is taking too many vitamins a myth? People take supplements because the possibility of vitamin deficiency does occur. When looking at products and capsules today, sometimes the ingredients are surprising. From fortified milk to enriched cereals to ingesting a slew of supplements, can a person take too many?
Vitamin Overdose: Taking Too Many Vitamins Can Be Bad For Your Health But How Many Would It Take To Kill You
One wouldnt take an antibiotic without being sick, but for some reason countless individuals are taking vitamins despite having no deficiencies. While in most cases this is simply a waste of money and the extra vitamins are simply flushed out in urine, for those who take large quantities of unnecessary vitamins, the health consequences are serious. But just how many vitamins does it take to kill a person?
Vitamins are organic compounds needed in small quantities to sustain life, Medical News Today reported. We normally get the necessary amount from our daily diet, but sometimes, due to dietary restraints, individuals will develop vitamin deficiencies. However, Marissa Puleo, a registered diectian working in Pennsylvania, told Medical Daily that one needs to be careful with vitamin intake.
“Taking too many vitamins and supplements does have negative consequences,” Puleo said. Although many water soluable vitamins are excreted when too much is taken, others remain in the body. “These vitamins can reach toxic levels and cause adverse side effects.”
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