Lately, I have been on a health kick and taking vitamins, but I have the urge to just keep taking them three/four times daily. Is there alot of harm in doing this? Such as Biotin, Vitamin D, Saw Palmetto and Vitex?
2007-04-08 11:46:44 · 6 answers · asked by rapxo 1 in Health ➔ Women's Health
It's not a good idea to take a lot of vitamins. You're definitely taking a risk using so much vitamin D and saw Palmetto. If you have a good quality multi vitamin that should cover your Vitamin needs, taken twice daily.
Start reducing the amount you have been taking slowly until you can get to just a minimum of vitamins.
If you have any further questions please let me know,
Billie77
2007-04-08 11:53:30 · answer #1 · answered by Cherokee Billie 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Yes, you can overdo even vitamins and mineral supplements. Vitamins and minerals are either fat soluble or water soluble, depending on how or if they are stored by the body. Fat soluble vitamins are stored in body fat, and you build up reserves for when they are needed later. Water soluble vitamins are not stored in the body, excess is filtered by the kidneys and flushed away. Some of the fat soluble vitamins can actually build up to toxic levels and damage nerves or muscles, some like Vitamin A are actually poisonous in large amounts and damage the liver as well. It can also be fatal in extremely large amounts. For instance, hunters are cautioned not to eat a bear liver, which contains extremely high concentrations of vitamin A, and would be potentially fatal to the eater.
Since even water soluble vitamins have to be filtered by the kidneys, they can also cause problems. Some of the vitamin molecules are quite large and can cause damage to kidney tissues if taken in large amounts over a long period of time.
The body can only use so much of anything, even things that are good for you. In the case of water soluble nutrients, those you don't need are just literally flushed away, because it can't be stored. If you eat a good balanced diet, a multivitamin/mineral tablet, preferably a chewable, which provides for up t0 100% of your daily requirements, is really all you need and should take. More than 100% can get you into dangerous territory. How dangerous depends on your body, your state of health, and how much extra we're talking about over what period of time. How long it takes to do damage is variable, but unfortunately you don't know until the damage is done enough to show up. The excess water soluble vitamins are mostly just a waste of your money, since you are literally flushing them down the toilet. You best bet is just taking a reasonable amount to meet your daily requirements.
2007-04-08 12:02:09 · answer #2 · answered by The mom 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
YES!
Some will cause changes in your skin color, give you headaches, or even damage your liver. Some are harmless in large doses. Your body will just get rid of the extra, but since you don't know which is which, you should stick to the recommended dosage.
2007-04-08 11:54:36 · answer #3 · answered by Rixie 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
most vitamins will just be excreted if taken in excess, don't waste your money by taking more than reccommended, they just go down the toilet (litererally) too much vitamin A is dangerous, especialy in preg women and babies. just be careful od'ing on anything..less is better in this case
2007-04-08 11:51:51 · answer #4 · answered by judy c 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
ya you can really hurt yourself. take the suggested amount and maybe talk 2 ur doctor about how u want 2 take more.
2007-04-08 11:54:54 · answer #5 · answered by katherine 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes it can be dangerous.
2007-04-08 11:49:52 · answer #6 · answered by ? 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋