Vitamins and Minerals?

Question

My multi-vitamin has about 100 or more percent of the recommended daily dose for each mineral and vitamin. If I get extra vitamins and minerals from my meals and from this vegetarian protein shake I take, will I be getting too much vitamins/minerals? Could I overdose?

For instance, my multi has 35 mg, 175% of Niacin; my shake has 20 mg, 100%. In addition to that, I will probably be getting some extra niacin from the foods I eat. Am I getting too much?

Would it be safe to take my multi along with my two veggie shakes daily?

If you do not understand my question, please ask in your answer, as I will check back to answer anybody's questions.

Please tell me the source of your information- whether it is from google or you are a healthcare professional.

Answer 1

It's almost impossible to overdose on water-soluble vitamins. The extra just comes out in your pee. Fat-soluble ones, however, you can overdose on. If you're eating a well-balanced diets, you shouldn't need to take multis. I would just skip the multi-vitamin... if you are concerned that you are low in a nutrient, take it on its own. Remember, however, that plant forms of some vitamins are less easily absorbed than animal forms. I'm not an expert here, so that's all I can really tell you. I would suggest consulting with your doctor or a nutritionist to find out what your dietary needs are (for your age, activity level, and dietary restrictions). There are only some vitamins that are dangerous at very high levels. I don't think your multivitamin and shakes will put you at risk.

One quick question, though: are your shakes used as meal replacements? If they are, be sure you're getting enough fat, protein, and especially fiber! It's almost always better to eat your calories rather than drink them.

Answer 2

It depends on the vitamin or mineral. An overdose of most things is harmless, but there are a few that are known to cause long-term complications if you consistently take too much. However, remember that the listed percentage is the total content of the tablet, not the amount that will actually get absorbed into your body. Part of it may go straight through your stomach unabsorbed.

I generally don't support taking daily vitamin tablets unless you are diagnosed with a deficiency of some particular vitamin/mineral. But if you're having doubts, you may consider reducing the frequency to one tablet every other day.

Answer 3

All vitamins and minerals have an IU, which is their upper intake level. Anything higher than the IU is considered toxic. If you eat a healthy, well balanced diet then multivitamins are not needed at all. And someone earlier mentioned that it is impossible to OD on water soluble vitamins because what you don't use is excreted in your urine...while that is true, it is still possible to OD on water soluable vitamins. Vitamin C is the easist of the water soluble vitamins because it's very easy to get from natural sources, and when added with oral supplements it is sometimes too much to excrete it all.

Answer 4

Did you know that not all vitamin/mineral supplements are "vegetarian". They contain fish oil. I purchase a vitamin/mineral supplement called Green Source from Vitamin World. A well balanced vegan/ vegetarian diet is best but one can not always eat what is best for them. On those days a supplement would help. Hope you aren't taking in a liquid only diet. That isn't healthy.

Answer 5

Throw the vitamins away. Eat food instead. Cheaper and better for you.

Answer 6

you will not overdose.

you do not need to think about your vitamin intake if you have a decent balanced diet, it might be worth focusing on that rather than the rda of each vitamin

Answer 7

No, you'll be fine. Absolutely. But it's never easy to lose weight on shakes.