Side Effects Of Vitamin Overdose

When you hear the word ‘Vitamin’, you usually think of vitality, energy, health and most importantly a disease free life. Yes, Vitamin word has such an impact in our lives that we often forget to know the right amount of its doses. Vitamins help in metabolic activity of the body and protect the same from illness as the body requires enough micronutrients everyday to function well. But Vitamin supplements other than dietary sources become devastatingly toxic if taken in excess and can harm the body instead.

A Vitamin capsule looks like the best substitute on a hectic day and many of us literally bank on them as they provide nutrients restricting calories. However, the same cannot replace healthy diet, adequate water and physical workouts in our lives. And the saying goes well with Vitamins too, when it says ‘everything in excess is bad’.

Vitamins Overdose And Their Side Effects

Vitamin A

It is a fat soluble vitamin that is easily tolerated in moderate quantity by the body. But excess amounts get stored in the liver and cause blurred vision, fatigue, headaches, pains in joints and muscles, alopecia, dry skin, weight loss and gastrointestinal problems.

These side effects are seen if you take too much from animal sources or in the form of supplements. It gets mixed up with binding proteins of the body and once these proteins are full, the extra retinol starts its toxic effects.

Vitamin B

Vitamin B complex consists of different vitamins such as riboflavin, thiamine, biotin, niacin, folate, pyridoxine and pantothenic acid. But only three of them have found to be toxic if taken in excess, and these three are: folate, niacin and pyridoxine. Since folate is associated with DNA metabolism, tissue growth and red blood cells production, so its overdose leads to neurological issues, cramping, skin rashes and diarrhea.

These symptoms often occur when folate is taken more than 1,000 micrograms a day. Niacin plays an important role in the digestive and nervous systems of the body. Getting more than recommended daily dose for a short period of time can lead to serious damage to the digestive system including liver. Pyridoxine is responsible for the nerves functioning and circulating of blood and its overdose causes serious damage to the nerves which become numb after taking more than 100 milligrams a day.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C is known for its energetic effect on the body but too much of the same can disturb your sleep pattern and might give you headaches, rashes and scurvy. Stomach aches and cramping of muscles are also common if you eat too much of sour food.

Vitamin D

Exposure to the sun or taking supplements is the easiest method of getting vitamin D in the body. Though toxicity is rare, but too much of its consumption lead to calcium retention in the body. Extra calcium forms stones in the kidneys that again need attention.

Vitamin E

A very safe vitamin otherwise, but excess doses can suppress immune system of the body. Heart patients, diabetic and hypertensive patients should always consult their physician before taking any extra supplement for vitamin E as it can lead to muscle weakness, tiredness and sometimes double vision.

Vitamin K

Vitamin K is generally taken from natural sources such as vegetables and fruits. But if taken more than recommended doses of supplements, excess amounts cause diarrhea, nausea and vomiting. Severe toxicity is seen in exceptional cases only. If you suffer from these side effects of overdoses of vitamins, adjust your current doses and consult your physician for further treatment.