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HomeTopics...SupplementsVitamin Over Use
Vitamin Overdoses: Side Effects and Health Complications Associated with Vitamin OveruseAlthough taking a multivitamin can play a vital role in promoting your overall health, as with any substance, taking more than the recommended amount can cause mild to severe health problems. While some people overdose on vitamins by taking too many supplements, others may ingest excessive amounts of certain nutrients by eating nutritious foods and also taking supplements.
Similarly, some individuals may have unique vitamin and mineral needs that fall below the traditional nutrient recommendations set forth by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). For example, certain chronic and/or passing health conditions can reduce the amount of particular vitamins that a person needs. In such cases, these people are at a higher risk of experiencing vitamin toxicity.
Symptoms of Vitamins OverdosesThe following are some of the most common symptoms associated with vitamin overuse:
Overdosing on some vitamins can throw off your body’s ability to absorb and/or use other nutrients, putting you at an increased risk of suffering from both an overdose of one vitamin and a deficiency of another. In these cases, you are likely to experience more types of symptoms that are more intense in nature. Because the above symptoms are fairly general, see a doctor immediately if you suspect that you are suffering from a vitamin overdose. Your doctor will be able to determine whether you are suffering from vitamin toxicity or whether your symptoms are being caused by some other, more serious underlying condition. If you have, in fact, overdosed on vitamins, your doctor may prescribe you medication to minimize the symptoms until your body’s nutrient levels return to normal.
Health Complications Associated with Vitamin ToxicityHere is a table that outlines the functions of some of the most essential nutrients, including the respective health complications that can arise when vitamin overdoses occur. The recommended daily intake for each of these nutrients is geared for healthy adults between the ages of 18 and 50.
Those above or below the age range, or anyone who suffers from some chronic or passing health problems, will have different nutrient requirements. If you have a question about the amounts of various nutrients that you should take, talk to your doctor.
Resources Rogers, J.R. (n.d.). Vitamins: What They Do For You. Retrieved November 12, 2007, from the Bodies of Stone Web site: http://www.bodiesofstone.homestead.com/ Vitamins to Health (n.d.). Vitamin Overdose Symptoms. Retrieved November 12, 2007, from the Vitamins to Health Web site: http://www.vitaminstohealth.com/vitamin-overdose.html.
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