Is Taking Two Multivitamins Deadly?
Vitamins are always prescribed in a fixed-dose. If this is a rare occurrence, then there’s nothing to worry about. However, if this happens multiple times, then it might result in some problems.
Are Multivitamins Really Necessary?
More than 75 percent of Americans take dietary supplements, according to the Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN). About 83 percent of adults aged 18 to 34 and 75 percent of those aged 35 to 54 take multivitamins. These pills are designed to fill nutrient gaps and prevent deficiencies.
The problem is that some people have certain illnesses affecting their ability to absorb nutrients. Some dietary supplements contain too much of certain vitamins and minerals, which can lead to side effects. Large doses of vitamin A, for example, may cause nausea and vomiting, blurry vision, dizziness and other mild adverse reactions.
Over time, you may experience more serious side effects, such as liver damage, joint pain and bone thinning. 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.
As you see, taking two multivitamins a day can be risky. The side effects will depend on their composition. Advertisement
Beware that high doses of certain nutrients can worsen your symptoms if you have diabetes, osteoporosis, heart disease or other conditions.
Excessive vitamin D, for example, may lead to bone pain, calcium stones and toxicity, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Fat-Soluble Vs. Water-Soluble Vitamins
Water-soluble vitamins Water-soluble vitamins are readily excreted from the body and not easily stored in tissues. There are more water-soluble vitamins than there are fat-soluble ones 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 There are four fat-soluble vitamins: Vitamin A
Vitamin D
Vitamin E
Vitamin K Given that fat-soluble vitamins can accumulate in the body, these nutrients are more likely to lead to toxicity than water-soluble vitamins. Alternatively, taking high doses of non-synthetic vitamin K seems to be relatively harmless, which is why an upper intake level (UL) has not been set for this nutrient 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
What Are Multivitamins?
Multivitamins are supplements that contain many different vitamins and minerals, sometimes alongside other ingredients Multivitamins are also referred to as multis, multiples, or simply vitamins.
They’re available in various forms.