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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.
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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.
I have been taking supplements off and on for years. Mostly vitamin and mineral types but also cholesterol lowering supplements such as Omega 3 fish oil and/or Flax seed oil. Along with that CQ10 supplements and Resveratrol products. I was always having symptoms which seemed like anaphylatic shocks, a light headedness, apprehension, panic type sensations, dizziness, throat restrictions and clearing of my throat a lot.
Finally, after misdiagnosing all of this thinking it was food allergies etc., I finally stopped all supplements and would you believe it, all of my symptoms went away and are no more!! Now, I only take Digestive enzymes for my GERD and Beta Sitosterols for my prostate problems. All is fine.
Yet, I would like to take Turmeric but I am now afraid. I know this has certain blood thinning features, etc., and also has hormonal type increases, etc.! I take synthyroid for my thryoid (hypothyroid) condition and so I don't know if I can take Turmeric or not. I wrote my family doctor about this and mailed him a letter for his evaluation but he will never respond to me on things like this. I don't think he really knows and doesn't want to get involved, yet we are always told to ask our physician before taking things.
I asked a pharmacist and she told me to be on the lookout for bruises and any sign of bleeding. So I don't like things like that to even be potentially taking place. 500 mg is on my bottle of Turmeric but really afraid to try it. Have any of you had any experience along these lines with Turmeric? I have heard it is good to prevent certain diseases etc.!
Lamar
About Turmeric:
A friend told me about Turmeric Curcumin for leg pain. It has helped somewhat but then I injured my knee and I could not tell if it helped any more with the original pain. I have not seen any bruising or any signs of bleeding.
I take synthroid also and I would also like to know about the interaction of the meds with the Turmeric.
Bernard
PEOPLE'S PHARMACY RESPONSE: WE ARE NOT AWARE OF AN INTERACTION BETWEEN SYNTHROID AND TURMERIC.
Lamar and Bernard and others:
I don't know about interactions but believe in some supplement over prescription drugs. I first heard about turmeric on "c tp c" night time radio show. Christian Wilde who wrote several heart books about stem cells and heart problems. So I bought the organic spice and put it in olive oil and eat my celery sticks with it. or I just sprinkle it on my sauteed veggies like broccoli slaw. etc. Been doing this for over a year.
I'm ordering some pharm grade turmeric and quercetin this week. Also a multi Dr B, who publishes a paid health newsletter subscription recommended.
I read in the Dr.'s newsletter, that he puts the turmeric and quercetin in 1 Tbs of extra virgin olive oil. He recommended 500 mg. I will start with less. I plan on opening up veggie capsule and starting out with 1/4 or 1/2 of the amt in the capsule.
The only med I take is thyroid which I hate doing. Been doing so for over 30 years. otherwise I take just a few supplements like magnesium, etc.
We are what we eat, unfortunately I eat to many sweets but do eat lots of fresh green veggies, esp from my garden.
Just my two cents worth,
Ellen
I am 60 and in good health except for hypothyroidism and some difficulty sleeping. I too am interested in advice on vitamin and mineral supplements. I have been taking a multiple vitamin as well as extra D, calcium, iodoral (for thyroid problems), selenium, and zinc (also for the thyroid). I also take calcium and fish oil daily and various herbal things such as ginger for digestion and milk thistle for liver health. What I am wondering is if I need to continue with the multiple vitamin and if so, which kinds make sense and which are least toxic in terms of other things that might be in them.
Where might I find info re what vitamins/minerals/supplements I absolutely should take as a post-menopausal 50ish female w/o any discernible medical issues? I eat no fast or fried food, no red meat...I do eat whole grains, fruits, veggies... drink a lot of coffee but rarely if ever drink alcoholic beverages.
I do exercise pretty regularly but am about 20 pounds overweight. I've been taking aspirin, tri-omega, Citracal plus D (tho I just heard the broadcast about bone health). I was recently informed I should take folate and/or B12 as I eat no red meat. Any direction is much appreciated.
Just started taking 50,000 units weekly of vitamin D - as prescribed by physician after blood work was completed - I also take supplements. The one that I question is turmeric. Can it be taken safely with the vitamin D? Thank you.
PEOPLE'S PHARMACY RESPONSE: WE ARE NOT AWARE OF ANY INCOMPATIBILITY.
Vitamin Mineral Chart: www.sangsters.com/charts.shtml
This is an excellent point. If you are worried about vitamin toxicity, Vitamin A is one you don't want to push, particularly for pregnant women. >10,000 IU/day has been associated with teratogenic birth defects. A normal person has a higher threshold. This is mainly an issue with vitamin A that is primarily retinol. Make sure that your supplement contains >50% vitamin A from beta-carotene (which is a precursor to vitamin A and much less likely to cause toxicity). Another symptom of too much vitamin A can be orange-tinged skin. Conversely, when someone is deficient in vitamin A, they can have night blindness and prolonged adjustment from light to dark places.
One of the safest things you can do is eat fewer processed foods. We have so many nutrient deficiencies today because we lose nutrients in processing and try to add them back in with fortification. The more whole grains, legumes, fruits, vegetables we can eat and the closer they come from the ground, the better. The other great thing about this is that foods contain a variety of nutrients that affect absorption of other, so you're better off absorption-wise. Add at least a multivitamin, maybe a B complex, and ask your PCP to get routine labs + vit D screening at your physicals.
I seriously doubt anyone living in the NW is overdosing on VitD. Actually, it is exactly the opposite. First line testing after breast cancer diagnosis, includes testing blood levels for Vit D 3. Vits A, D and K are the ones most likely to be in the overdose arena, because they are not water soluble. Iron can also be overdosed. Vit B, however, is water soluble and disappears quickly in persons under stress; and these days we are almost always experiencing stress. I think we need to worry more about keeping our weight down and getting adequate exercise than whether or not we are overdosing on vitamins.
You had an article in the LATimes on 7-19-10, which stated that Glucosamine and chondroitin study found that these supplements were no better than a placebo. I have been taking Glucosamine, Chondriutub abd MSN for about 20 years and find it very helpful. Without it I would be a cripple, suffering from every joint in my body. Several of my friends swear by it. You do have to take 1500 milligrams of this supplement. I am in my mid-80s and am living a normal life, swimming, walking, used to bicycle until 2 years ago, gardening, cooking, cleaning etc. I do have to take 1500 milligrams of this supplement each day.
Perhaps it does not work on everyone, but I think it is great.
N. Reidell
Dear Joe & Terry,
I just have had a blood test and have had two very high levels of Methylmalonic Acid 19700 (should be 87-318) and B-12 2000 ( should be 200-1100).
Neuroligst thought it a lab error and repeated test which came back almost the same. I take Super B Complex 100, Calcium, D, C, Fish Oil and a Multi with minerals.
Sincerely,
W.R.
Studies show many are Vit D deficient? Ha, not after the recent study showing that is not true and that vit d supplements can be harmful in high doses. Be careful what you recommend.
Here's a link that provides info on maximum daily vitamin levels by Frederick R. Jelovsek MD http://www.wdxcyber.com/ngen21.htm
Vitamin levels are easily tested to determine deficiency (or not). Based on my experiences, taking higher doses than normal for a short period of time was the best method to get my deficient D level up.
I also want to know about the dosage of vitamin.
And I want to ask that a person with high blood pressure problem should take what amount/dose of vitamins..?