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Q. I worry that people are overdosing on vitamins. They're putting vitamins everywhere these days, even in bottled water. My medical book (20 years old) says you could go a year without any vitamin A and four months without any vitamin B12 or D. If you keep consuming these vitamins don't they build up to toxic levels?
A. It is possible to overdose on vitamins if you are taking high-dose supplements or drinking and eating fortified foods and beverages. But we are concerned about a growing epidemic of vitamin D deficiency. Studies demonstrate that many children and adults are low in this crucial nutrient. Vitamin B12 may also be in short supply for older people and those taking acid-suppressing drugs to control heartburn.
I have had 5 strokes & the medication I am on has weekend my bones. I fell on my foot, broke both bones at the ankle plus 3 bones in my foot. I was about 90 per cent healed & fell down again & broke my hip bone in 2 places. It had to be replaced with a steel rod. I now take Vit. C & D to help restore my bone strength. My Vit level for these was so low when tested that I was put on a very high dosages for 2 month & was tested again & it is close to normal.
This is a question best asked of registered Nutritionists and Dietitians. With all due respect to most Doctors, I've got them in my family, they know little about Vitamins and their reaction with the body. Doctors can run tests that will tell you if you are deficient in a particular vitamin, but unless it is related to a disease they are treating that's normally the extent of their involvement.
I would assume that as with any "drug", Vitamins can be overdosed but I wouldn't rely on a 20 year old medical book since research into Vitamins and their effects on us has significantly changed in 20 years. Our environment as well as our life style is much different now than it was 20 years ago and the need for Vitamin supplements is continually changing.
The best course of action with Vitamins is one of caution and reason as well as common sense. Go slowly, don't just arbitrarily take large doses of any Vitamin without researching it's potential side affects, particularly it's interactions with any prescription drugs or other vitamins you may be taking. Most importantly if you get any unexpected adverse reaction to the vitamins you are using, discontinue them.
I found out recently that hair loss I've been experiencing over the last couple of years was directly attributable to Vitamin A. If you consume 25000 IU a day of Vitamin A, that is toxic and causes hair loss. That was the amount in my multivitamin I was taking every day!! Plus I was eating a lot of vegetables and fruits that also had a lot of Vitamin A. As I was getting healthier, my hair was falling out. So glad to finally learn this about A, and changed my supplement!
I take vitamins daily but am concerned that I may be taking too much. I would like to know where I can find a reputable list of needed vitamins and the dosage recommended for a 66 year old woman.
I too would like to know about suggested vitamins/dosage for a 67 yr old female. Where do I find answers to questions I see posted above?
I already take 50k IU of D, B's, CO Q 10, 1500 mg calcium daily, and a multi about 3 x a week.
Thank You
PEOPLE'S PHARMACY RESPONSE: 50,000 IU VITAMIN D A WEEK IS APPROPRIATE ONLY IF PRESCRIBED TO CORRECT A DEFICIENCY. OTHERWISE, AROUND 2,000 IU DAILY OF VITAMIN D IS PROBABLY APPROPRIATE. THE SCIENCE ON VITAMIN IS EVOLVING RAPIDLY NOW SO THERE IS SOME UNCERTAINTY.
1500 MG OF CALCIUM DAILY IS PROBABLY TOO MUCH. HERE AGAIN, THERE IS NEW EVIDENCE. AN ARTICLE PUBLISHED IN THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF CLINICAL NUTRITION SUGGESTED THAT 700 TO 750 MG CALCIUM DAILY IS CLOSER TO WHAT WE OLDER WOMEN NEED.
YOU DON'T MENTION ANY MAGNESIUM, AND YOU PROBABLY SHOULD BE TAKING AT LEAST HALF AS MUCH MAGNESIUM AS CALCIUM; SOME EXPERTS THINK WE NEED JUST ABOUT THE SAME AMOUNT.
YOUR MULTIVITAMIN IS PROBABLY FINE. JUST CHECK IT TO MAKE SURE IT DOESN'T HAVE MORE THAN 5,000 IU OF VITAMIN A. WE MAY NEED LESS VITAMIN A AS WE AGE.
YOUR B VITAMIN NEEDS MAY BE COVERED BY YOUR MULTIPLE VITAMIN. IF YOU ARE ON AN ACID-SUPPRESSING DRUG, THOUGH, YOU MAY NEED TO TAKE MORE VITAMIN B12 SEPARATELY, UP TO 1 MG (A HUGE DOSE OF B12) PER DAY.
Am wondering if I may be taking too many vitamins. I take high blood pressure medication-320 mg. diovan and 2-25 mg.metoprolol- Vitamins-1 a day centrum silver ultra women's,1 b-12 250mg.,1 omega-3 Complex and 1 vit. D, 1000 I.U. I am 83 yrs. old.
PEOPLE'S PHARMACY RESPONSE: THE VITAMIN B12 IS AN ENORMOUS DOSE. PLEASE CHECK WITH YOUR DOCTOR THAT IT IS APPROPRIATE. EVERYTHING ELSE LOOKS FINE.