Can you intake too many vitamins

As people seek alternative sources of crucial vitamins and minerals, supplement intake has skyrocketed. Supplements can be helpful, but getting nutrients from a pill rather than food is not always the best way to improve your health. In some cases, it can even hurt.

In fact, some studies show that food is the best route of vitamins and minerals in almost all cases. Despite the lower guidelines 8 mg per day after age 50 many postmenopausal women still take supplements that contain iron and copper. You can also consider a nutrigenomics test to determine how you metabolize iron. Beta-carotene and vitamin A — which is formed by beta-carotene — is easy to consume. Too much has been associated with increased risk for lung cancer and overall increased risk of death.

Vitamin D is very important for your health, but it is possible to get too much of it. This article explores 6 side effects of taking too much vitamin…. Here are eight symptoms that may indicate you have a vitamin D deficiency, as well as causes, treatments, and more.

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Here are the 16 best…. Vitamin B12 is an important water-soluble vitamin, and deficiency is common. Here are 9 signs and symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency. The amount of vitamin D you need depends on several factors.

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Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Fat- vs. Share on Pinterest. Physicians or nutritionists may suggest vitamins once it is confirmed that you have a nutrient deficiency and highly advise that the daily recommended doses are followed.

Vitamin overdose occurs when a person ingests far more than the daily recommendation, for an extended period of time. Although the body can excrete excessive amounts of water-soluble vitamins such as vitamin C, it can retain fat-soluble vitamins such as vitamin A, which can be toxic.

Several studies, including one published last month in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology , have also found that regular supplement use has no net effect on heart health or risk of early death.

Kitchin takes a daily multivitamin herself, but she actually only takes half a dose one pill rather than a serving size of two. He also stresses that his recent study only looked at cardiovascular problems and early death, and that supplements may still have benefits in other areas.

Combining multiple supplements or taking higher-than-recommended doses can increase the risk that they can actually cause harm, says Kitchin. Plus, because the industry is not well regulated, there's no real guarantee that the ingredients and dosage on the label are accurate.

Taking high doses of vitamin C can lead to stomach cramping and diarrhea, for example.