America's Very Dangerous Vitamin Craze

Americans have gone crazy about vitamins and herbal supplements in reaction to the many health reports on the benefits of taking vitamins C and E, beta-carotene and other nutrients. While taking a daily multi-vitamin with minerals supplement is generally safe, getting too much of certain vitamins in excess of the RDA (Recommended Daily Allowance) or RDI (Reference Daily Intake) can have extremely toxic effects.

While the need for taking a multivitamin cannot be overstressed, with nutrient levels in our produce and manufactured foods falling daily, we need to be especially mindful of the side effects that can be created by consuming high doses on a daily basis. The mindset that “A little is good, more is better” should not apply to our supplement intake.

Excess amounts of Fat Soluble vitamins like A, D, and E are not flushed from the system through urine. Overdose can cause liver problems, kidney stones, joint pain, nausea,, constipation, blurred vision, and, in extreme amounts, even death. Water Soluble vitamins like C, B-3 (niacin), Folic Acid, and B-6 are largely flushed from the system daily, but this process can take several hours, and very high doses (10 times the RDI or higher) often have toxic effects.

The Bottom Line....Since its hard to tell how much of any vitamin we are consuming throughout the day, it's safest to limit intake of any supplement to the RDI or RDA as stated on the container. After all, supplements are intended to be as their name implies...added to the nutrients we consume.

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