We will do our best to answer this and many other similar questions in this article which should ease your mind regarding this subject.
Overview
are defined as essential constituents of the diet that are not synthetized by humans. Some vitamins are synthesized to some extent, but in amounts that are inadequate to support health. Most vitamins were discovered during the investigation of severe deficiencies such as scurvy (vitamin C), rickets (vitamin D), megaloblastic anemias (vitamin B12 and folate), pellagra (niacin) and beriberi (thiamine).
Approximately one-third of adult Americans take multivitamins and a substantial number take specific vitamin supplements. Hepatotoxicity
When taken within the range of recommended amounts, vitamins have not been implicated in cases of drug induced liver injury. Even in high doses, most vitamins have few adverse events and do not harm the liver.
Many vitamins are normally concentrated in, metabolized by and actually stored in the liver, particularly the fat soluble vitamins. Specific links to discussions of the risks of liver injury from specific vitamins are given below.
Drug-Linked Liver Injury A Major Problem
Using data from a national registry, researchers found that herbal and dietary supplements were implicated in 18% of liver injury cases caused or suspected of being caused by drugs or supplements from 2003 to 2011.
Bodybuilding and weight loss supplements were by far the biggest offenders, linked to 34% and 26% of 93 cases studied, respectively, says researcher Victor J. Navarro, MD, a professor of medicine, pharmacology, and experimental therapeutics at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia. Still, the study is not meant to scare people, Navarro says. Many supplements are beneficial to your health, he says, ticking off a long list that includes calcium and vitamin D supplements and multivitamins made by reputable companies.
The findings were presented at the Digestive Disease Week conference in San Dieg.
Fat-Soluble Vitamins Deposit In Liver
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As with medications, taking high doses of certain vitamins can put stress on the liver and even cause in liver damage. Video of the Day
Fat-Soluble Vitamins Deposit in Liver
Fat-soluble vitamins, including vitamins A, E, D and K, are stored in the liver and fatty tissues of the body.
According to Colorado State University, over-consumption of vitamin A can cause enlargement of the liver and high doses of vitamins K and D can cause liver damage and toxicity. Unlike other water-soluble vitamins, the liver can store B-12 for up to several years for later usage. B-complex vitamins, in general, are also necessary for maintaining the overall health of the liver.
Specifically, vitamin B-3, or niacin, may cause liver damage in high doses above 1000mg. More importantly, timed-release preparations are more likely to cause damage than regular niacin, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Advertisement
Vitamins and Liver Disease
People with liver disease may require vitamin supplementation, as liver damage can impair your body’s ability to absorb certain vitamins.
A study published in “The New England Journal of Medicine” in May 2010 indicates that daily vitamin E doses of 800 IU may improve symptoms of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, or fatty liver disease. Unlike vitamin supplements, foods typically do not contain vitamins in amounts high enough to pose health risks such as liver damage.
The Sydney Morning Herald
Ependent children, sick days were a luxury I could not afford; I was focused on putting food on the table and paying bills.
Before long, I added grape seed, St John’s Wort and fish oil. The “preparations” I was taking were readily available over the counter, and at no point did I ever imagine that they might be doing me any harm.