- Even though vitamins are beneficial to our health, an overdose of these supplements is very possible if recommended dosage and warning are not taken into consideration
- Although rare, some vitamins will lessen the potential of other vitamins if taken in excess
- While water soluble vitamins are excreted in an average individual, these vitamins are not as readily eliminated in the elderly, leaving more chance of toxicity
- Following recommended dosage instructions and warnings will leave less chance of vitamin toxicity
Although we have it in our own best interest to supplement our daily allowance of vitamins, it is possible to go overboard on that vitamin intake. Vitamins and other nutritional supplements is gaining popularity by leaps and bounds as so many are taking their health into their own hands. Busy lifestyles leaving folks little time to prepare nutritious snacks and meals gives no choice but to include a vitamin intake to meet the daily allowance of vitamins the best they can. The problem is, however, the chance of vitamin overdose greatly increases as we pop those pills and capsules before heading out the door to work or school.
The convenience of vitamin intake is more prominent now than ever. Various vitamins known to benefit various body functions are readily available at the local drug store, grocery store, market, and the internet. The internet is your personal library for an enormous amount of information about any vitamin which intrigues your interest. Most vitamins have a positive effect to some degree. When it comes to loading up on several mixes of vitamins, however, problems may begin from vitamin overload, or vitamin overdose. Much of our food is vitamin fortified. So, adding in several supplements will be overkill in some cases.
The B group of vitamins as well as vitamin C, which are known as water soluble vitamins, are not stored by the body and are excreted if more is taken in than needed. Vitamins A and D will build up in the body. However, they are not dangerous to the health. Pregnancy is an exception to this theory as great amounts of vitamin A may have an effect on the developing infant. As with most vitamins, having a control of the amount consumed is the key to preventing any side effects. Whatever we consume in excess can become toxic and cause illness. Combining supplements may be feasible. However, there is always a possibility of interactions. It is suggested that we not combine too many types of supplements. Without exceeding recommended doses and excessively combining various vitamins, there will be less changes of toxicity.
An aging body may have a less efficient level of nutrient absorption. For this reason, the importance of adequate nutritional intake comes to be more relevant. Iron is not absorbed as well in an older body. Taking vitamin C may promote iron absorption. Then again, water-soluble vitamins which are normally excreted, are not readily expelled in an older individual since kidney function is less than adequate. This leaves an elderly person prone to toxicity with water-soluble vitamins, which otherwise, would not have an effect.
Chronic or acute vitamin overdose may include symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhea, rash, or nausea. Each type of vitamin may include its own specific symptoms of overdose. Morbidity and mortality is extremely rare from purified vitamins. Such a scenario would be much more prevalent from taking prescription medications. If vitamins are taken according to recommended dosage with attention to any interaction warnings, vitamin intake should pose no problem in most cases.
Tags: daily allowance of vitamins, vitamin intake, vitamin overdose
