Any ingredient in a multiple vitamin supplement can be toxic in large amounts, but the most serious risk comes from iron or calcium. Additional risks are associated with large or toxic doses of calcium, vitamin D and vitamin A. Misuse of vitamin supplements can be very dangerous. Some medications can also increase the risk of vitamin toxicity, either by increasing the body's absorption of a vitamin or by containing vitamin-based compounds.
Vitamins are essential for regulating various metabolic and biological activities in the human body. However, excessive consumption and prolonged use of pharmaceutical forms of water-soluble and fat-soluble vitamins can cause accumulation and toxicity. In cases of acute poisoning as a result of vitamin supplements or medications, emergency assistance is required to detoxify the effects and restore the function of the body's organs. To control any type of hypervitaminosis, proper diagnosis is essential to accelerate the elimination of the supplement from the body1,2 In the United States, the FDA regulates the efficacy and safety of all pharmaceutical products on a regular basis.
The FDA does not require any documentation on the effectiveness of vitamins and supplements. As a result, the safety of dietary supplements is only guaranteed by reporting adverse effects and, in rare cases, by intervention. Consumers should know that vitamins and supplements may, in fact, contain real or no pharmaceutical products of biological value and have significant toxic potential. Toxicity due to the use of large volumes of vitamins is called hypervitaminosis and has been a global concern for a long time1,2.Many people take vitamin supplements daily, as they believe that excess vitamins are harmless and will be excreted from the body.
This misconception and prolonged intake of vitamins can lead to toxic effects or hypervitaminosis. A large intake of highly fortified foods can also cause the accumulation of fat-soluble vitamins in the liver. Natural foods have not been associated with any toxicity, 1.2.Too much vitamin C or zinc may cause nausea, diarrhea, and stomach cramps. Too much selenium may cause hair loss, gastrointestinal distress, fatigue, and mild nerve damage.
Because of their ability to accumulate in the body, fat-soluble vitamins have a greater potential for toxicity than water-soluble vitamins. Iron-containing vitamins are the most toxic, especially in acute pediatric ingestion. See Prognosis, Evaluation, Treatment, and Medication. Patients with mild bleeding episodes are likely to fully recover once vitamin K is administered and vitamin E supplements are discontinued.
A number of serious consequences have also been reported with a prolonged overdose of the supplement, such as kidney disease, gastritis and stomach ulcer, vitamin B complex deficiency, pancreatic impairment, increased blood pressure, progressive deterioration of vision, altered menstrual cycle, decreased number of leukocytes, and hormonal disorders. Dwyer says vitamin D, calcium and folic acid are three nutrients you can consume in excess, especially through supplements. As a general rule, simply stopping the overuse of supplements can allow the body to correct the imbalance and restore health. People have been taking vitamin E supplements on a regular basis because of its known antioxidant, anti-atherogenic, anti-sterility, and anti-aging properties.
They only cause health problems when taken in high doses continuously for many days or in very extreme doses, usually due to the misuse of supplements. Avoid vitamin K supplements if you are taking oral anticoagulants (anticoagulants) such as coumadine (warfarin), or if you take them simply, as they are antagonists. The amount of vitamin A in supplements per capsule is normally 10,000 to 50,000 international units (IU). Vitamin E supplementation may affect hematologic response to iron in children with iron deficiency anemia.
Therefore, vitamin D is found in many foods, such as fortified milk, fortified juices, cereals and fish, and is available as a supplement. To control any type of hypervitaminosis, proper diagnosis is essential to accelerate the elimination of the supplement from the body. If you're concerned about vitamin toxicity, talk to your healthcare provider about using vitamin supplements. In an effort to combat poor diets or vitamin deficiencies, people often take several excess vitamin supplements without consulting doctors, nutritionists, or dietitians.
The European Union recently adopted strict labeling standards for vitamin and mineral supplements, including manufacturers stating the percentage of a person's daily intake that represents a dose of the product, as well as toxicity warnings, where appropriate. While most people don't consume large doses, if you eat a fortified cereal for breakfast, eat an energy bar between meals, eat enriched pasta for dinner, and take a daily supplement, you could easily exceed the recommended daily intake of a large number of nutrients. Daily use of 300 mg or more of supplements may increase the risks of prostate cancer in men, stroke and bleeding. .
