As of: March 6, 2024, 12:50 p.m
By: Juliane Gutmann
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Vitamins and minerals are essential for survival.
Many people take them in the form of tablets and dragees.
But that carries risks.
Overdoses can be extremely damaging.
Healthy adults who eat a balanced diet usually get all the important nutrients.
But there are many people who take nutritional supplements without a doctor's advice.
In this way, advertising promises more energy, better skin or even longer life.
But doctors warn: Anyone who consumes vitamins, trace elements and minerals without a proven deficiency risks dangerous overdoses.
An overdose of calcium supplements, for example, promotes the development of a heart attack.
“The risk demonstrably increases from a daily dose of more than 1,500 milligrams of calcium,” said Lübeck professor of pharmaceutical nutrition Martin Smollich in an interview with the knowledge portal
Spektrum.
Vitamin D also has a harmful effect in excess doses.
“An excessive intake of vitamin D causes increased calcium levels in the body (hypercalcemia), which can acutely lead to nausea, loss of appetite, abdominal cramps, vomiting or, in severe cases, kidney damage, cardiac arrhythmias, loss of consciousness and death.
Since vitamin D can be stored in the body, both an acute and a gradual overdose are possible,” informs the Robert Koch Institute (RKI).
Do not overdose on vitamins A, B and E
Overdoses of vitamins A, B and E can also cause symptoms.
Even organ damage is possible.
Therefore, you should never take vitamin supplements without consulting a doctor.
Anyone who overdoses on vitamin B12 risks nerve damage.
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The body shows symptoms with some nutrient overdoses.
The
AOK
informs you which complaints you should take seriously:
Vitamin A:
A distinction must be made here.
Provitamin A usually does not cause any problems if it is overdosed.
The situation is different with vitamin A supplements.
Bone stability can decrease and pregnant women are at greater risk of harm to their unborn child.
Vitamin E:
An overdose of vitamin E increases the tendency to bleed in the long term.
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Vitamin B3 (niacotinic acid):
Heartburn, headaches, diarrhea and abdominal pain can indicate a vitamin B3 overdose.
Potentially life-threatening drops in blood pressure and liver damage are also possible consequences.
Vitamin B6:
An overdose can damage the nervous system.
As a result, those affected suffer from unsteady gait, which can be associated with falls.
Vitamin B12
: Vegans would have to add vitamin B12 because only animal foods can meet their needs.
Such information from
Stiftung Warentest
.
According to current studies, high levels of vitamin B12 in the blood could be associated with an increased risk of lung cancer, as
NDR
reports.
This article only contains general information on the respective health topic and is therefore not intended for self-diagnosis, treatment or medication. It in no way replaces a visit to the doctor. Unfortunately, our editorial team cannot answer individual questions about medical conditions.