Is there such a thing as getting too much Vitamin A in your diet? I thought I heard that too much can?

Question

build up and become toxic.

And if this is the case, then why do so many food companies fortify their food with Vitamin A?

Answer 1

It is very difficult to get too much Vitamin A through diet --- unless you are also taking supplements.

Most high Vitamin A foods, are actually high in beta carotene. The body converts the beta carotene into the vitamin A it needs. Any excess is excreted.

Answer 2

Too much Vitamin A causes hypervitaminosis A, which can be fatal or cause osteosporosis.

You would have to eat an excess of foods with Vitamin A in them or, for instance, dog or polar bear liver to become severely ill or die from it.

The amounts of Vitamin A put into food products isn't enough to do that much damage unless you eat only those things or the vegetables rich in Vitamin A.

Answer 3

First of all, too much of ANYTHING is bad for you. But vitamins don't "build up." They are either used by your body or excreted from your body.

Also remember that the FDAs standards are minimum. You can go FAR above those standards without coming anywhere near "too much."

Basically, you're right. Why would companies fortify food with Vitamin A if its dangerous? They don't want to get sued!

Answer 4

Thart is true, as the liver cannot process all that A and it builds to toxic levels, damaging the liver.

You can tell because your hands turn orange, like a carrot.

That is also why you should not drink carrot juice as it has way too much A in it.

I was diagnosed with potential liver toxicity from an over-consumption of carrots. It was discovered in time.

Answer 5

Too much of anything can cause problems. Most of the time the body will expell it but there are vitamins and minerals that can become toxic or dangerous when there's lots in the system.

Answer 6

hypervitaminosis(A) shows same sign and symptoms as hypovitaminosis . high dose vitamin A help full in keratinising disorders. no need to take excess vitamin it is fat soluble. companies add in calculated amount so that does not exceed daily requirement.

Answer 7

Vitamin A is fat soluble so it can build up (A, D, E, K are all fat soluble). The rest are water soluble and are eliminated easily.

Answer 8

Yes, it is stored in your liver and can cause damage if you take too much.

Answer 9

I've heard too much of anything isn't good for you.

Answer 10

Like I got too many "A"s in school.....