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Overuse of supplements can turn toxic
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Overuse of supplements can turn toxic

Taking multivitamins and mineral supplements beyond the intended duration can lead to supplement toxicity

Supplements when taken in case of a specific deficiency must be used only for a prescribed time frame, say doctors

Taking too many multivitamin supplements such as vitamin A or D, and minerals such as calcium and magnesium without consulting a doctor — or consuming them way past the recommended day — could lead to some serious side effects like nausea, rashes or even dizziness. Such abuse of supplements and its fallout is known as supplement toxicity.

Dr Bikky Chaurasia, consultant, internal medicine, Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital, Mumbai, recalls the time during the pandemic when many people consumed supplements to boost immunity. The excess use of vitamin supplements can cause hypervitaminosis, a condition with abnormally high levels of vitamins stored in the body. “The natural source of vitamin D is sunlight. Exposure to more sunlight does not cause toxicity, but the excess use of vitamin D tablets which is available in the market, over the counter can lead to toxicity of vitamin D. It also leads to hypercalcemia (a condition when the calcium level in the blood is above normal).

The recommended dietary intake of vitamin D per day is 600 IU (international unit.) Continued overdose of the same can cause toxicity. The typical symptoms are nausea, recurrent vomiting, confusion, abdominal pain and excessive urine (polyurea).

How overuse leads to supplement toxicity

“It is important to take the supplements only for the intended duration and not beyond that,” advises Sheela Krishnaswamy, a Bengaluru-based nutrition and wellness consultant.

A 10-year-long study conducted in the US and published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that more than 23,000 people end up in emergency rooms every year due to the adverse effects of dietary supplements.

Dr M N Lakshmikanth Reddy, consultant general physician, Medicover Hospitals, Hyderabad, says that if one follows a balanced diet, his/her chances of being diagnosed with a deficiency are very low. Even if micronutrient supplements are prescribed, it is only for a few days, followed by instructions to ensure that their diet is rich in these essential nutrients, says Dr Reddy.

Dr Chaurasia adds that a serum vitamin D3 level of more than 150 nanograms/ml is called vitamin toxicity. Vitamin D is also a pro-hormone which plays a major role in maintaining healthy bones and calcium levels. When the serum vitamin D3 level in the blood increased, the serum calcium level also increases.

In those with high serum calcium levels and low parathyroid hormones, we see the toxicity of vitamin D. Those suffering from vitamin toxicity will pass more calcium in the urine, which is known as hypercalciuria which is further linked to stone formation in the kidney.

Vitamin D toxicity also further affects cardiac health as it leads to arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat.) “We have seen many youngsters, those who smoke and are into alcohol, who want to boost immunity. They take unnecessary multivitamin tablets and supplements wanting to remove the toxicity in the body, without consulting the doctors,” says Dr Chaurasia, adding that excess calcium supplement intake will affect the heart and the kidneys.

Dr Tarun Javali, professor and head of the department of urology, andrology, renal transplant and robotic surgery, MS Ramaiah Medical College Hospital, Bengaluru, says that certain supplements (such as vitamin C, dietary supplements) and medications — such as laxatives (when used excessively), calcium-based antacids and certain medications used to treat migraines or depression — can increase your risk of kidney stones.

Zinc toxicity

Doctors advise patients to exercise caution while consuming zinc supplements as an excess of zinc in the body could lead to a condition called zinc toxicity.

“It is a double-edged sword; we should never overdo things. There is a concept known as zinc toxicity. Overall humans are very tolerant to a high index of zinc, the body can take up to 100 mg per day. Too much zinc contamination however can cause abdominal pains, diarrhea and vomiting. We must be aware that taking too much zinc has its problems,” says Dr Rahul Agrawal, senior consultant – general medicine at CARE Hospitals, HITEC City, Hyderabad.

As per the Harvard T H Chan School of public health’s department of nutrition, some of the signs of zinc toxicity include

  • Nausea, vomiting
  • Poor appetite
  • Abdominal pain or cramping
  • Headaches
  • Diarrhoea

Takeaways

  • Supplements when taken in case of a specific deficiency must be used only for a prescribed time frame, say doctors.
  • Supplements when overused or when taken in excess can lead to toxicity and can lead to health complications.
  • Doctors suggest that supplements must not be taken just to improve immunity without consulting doctors.

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