If you’re here then you’ve probably Google’d about: what happens if you take 2 vitamins in one day. This article aims to clear any doubts and questions you may have about this subject and we will do our best to do so.
Are Multivitamins Really Necessary?
More than 75 percent of Americans take dietary supplements, according to the Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN). Advertisement
As the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) points out, a balanced diet should provide all the vitamins and minerals needed for optimum health. The problem is that some people have certain illnesses affecting their ability to absorb nutrients.
Others don’t get enough nutrients from their diet. Advertisement
Iron supports the formation of red blood cells and protects against anemia. Too much iron, on the other hand, may cause fluid buildup in the lungs, low blood pressure, irregular heartbeat, liver damage, convulsions, fever and coma.
The side effects will depend on their composition. Excessive vitamin D, for example, may lead to bone pain, calcium stones and toxicity, according to the Mayo Clinic. However, there are cases when these supplements can help.
Is Taking Two Multivitamins Deadly?
But even if you mistakenly end up taking two multivitamins at a time, it is not a cause of significant concern. We can all make such mistakes, and taking two multivitamins won’t cause any trouble in your body.
Fat-Soluble Vs. Water-Soluble Vitamins
Water-soluble vitamins Water-soluble vitamins are readily excreted from the body and not easily stored in tissues.
Water-soluble vitamins include vitamin C, plus eight B vitamins: Vitamin B1 (thiamine)
Vitamin B2 (riboflavin)
Vitamin B3 (niacin)
Vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid)
Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine)
Vitamin B7 (biotin)
Vitamin B9 (folate)
Vitamin B12 (cobalamin) Because water-soluble vitamins aren’t stored but rather excreted through urine, they’re less likely to cause issues even when taken in high doses. However, taking megadoses of some water-soluble vitamins can lead to potentially dangerous side effects. For example, taking very high doses of vitamin B6 can lead to potentially irreversible nerve damage over time, while taking large amounts of niacin — typically in excess of 2 grams per day — can cause liver damage Upper intake levels are set to indicate the maximum dose of a nutrient that’s unlikely to cause harm for nearly all people in a general population
Supplements: Check The Dose
Chances are, the unfortified foods you eat aren’t a problem. So you’ll want to think about the supplements you take and fortified foods or drinks.
“Most people don’t realize there’s no real advantage to taking more than the recommended amounts of vitamins and minerals, and they don’t recognize there may be disadvantages,” Dwyer says. “If you’re taking a supplement, stick to one that’s no more than the daily value,” Dwyer says. That way, your doctor can help you keep doses in a safe range.
“If you’re taking a basic multivitamin, there’s no need to fear taking too much,” says Andrew Shao, PhD, senior vice president of scientific and regulatory affairs for the Council for Responsible Nutrition, a trade group for the supplements industry. “Most multivitamins have such a wide margin of safety that even when you’re combining them with fortified foods, it’s still not going to cause you to keel over,” Shao say.