Can you take too many vitamins?
Yes, you need vitamins and minerals in your diet, but is there such a thing as too much of a good thing? In most cases, rather than being a risk just to your health it can also impact your bank balance too. Taking too many vitamins is quite simply a waste of money. As most vitamins are water soluble, your body takes what it needs from them and gets rid of the rest through your urine.
Overdoing some vitamins can cause problems though. For instance, if you take over 1000mg of vitamin C, you may experience stomachaches and gas. An excess of B vitamins can give you a rash or even tamper with the effectiveness of your prescription medicines.
When it comes to fat-soluble vitamins (such as A, D, E and K) beware of overdoing it as your body finds it hard to get rid of what it doesn’t need. Excessive intake of vitamin D can lead to high levels of calcium in your blood; and overdoing vitamin A can increase your risk of osteoporosis.
Supplements such as iron can cause issues too. Taking in too much iron can cause constipation.
To make sure you’re not going overboard, choose a brand you trust and follow the instructions on the label. If you are taking several vitamins, be sure that you’re not doubling up – for instance if you are taking vitamin C supplements be sure to check how much is in your multi.
If you’re on medication already it’s important to check with your doctor before self-prescribing vitamins. Some can stop your medicine from working the right way, so it pays to get good advice.