Vitamin Overdose Not Good For You
Did you know that overdosing on vitamins can be bad for you? Actually, anything edible that is taken in excess is bad for our health – even vitamins. Since a lot of people often miss out on healthy meals, they pop in a few extra doses of daily vitamins to “make up” for the lack without knowing they are inviting more harm to their body or perhaps doing nothing beneficial at all.
Vitamin A or retinoid is one of the most abused vitamins popped into the mouths of unsuspecting individuals. Known for its antioxidant properties and roles in great eye vision, a healthy immune system, and enhanced cell growth, it can cause blurry vision, headaches, and vomiting if abused. It is even associated with lower bone density and liver problems in general, as well as birth defects for pregnant women.
Beta Carotene, also a type of vitamin A found in plants is not recommended for supplementation to anyone, especially to smokers who are placed at greater risk of developing lung cancer with regular intake. A recent study also links high beta carotene blood levels to a threefold increased chances of prostate cancer in men.
Vitamin C has got to be the grand daddy of all vitamin myths, misleading people that it decreases the chances of getting a cold. Currently, there are still no conclusive studies relating its intake to increased immunity. Taking lots of vitamin C doesn’t cause any harm, nor does it have any proven beneficial effect.
Last among the list of abused vitamins, is Vitamin E. Like vitamin A, it also has antioxidant properties that build a sturdy immune system while protecting our cells from damage. However, taking vitamin E in excess amounts has inconclusive benefits in people with cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes, and other diseases. Overdosing on it can result in nausea, fatigue, headache, and bleeding, and even increases risks for a hemorrhagic stroke in people with high blood pressure.
Before you pop in that extra vitamin pill, make sure that you are taking the recommended daily doses. Otherwise, you’ll be placing yourself in bad health.