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June 17, 2008, 10:21 am
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I just read an article that warns people about using too many vitamins and supplements. It says that you rarely need all the vitamins that they have in pills and that you don't really need to take extras. I was a little surprised by this but the article seems to make sense. I thought we all should be aware of what it says.

Here are some tips they suggest we all follow:

Excessive intake of vitamins and minerals can do no good. It is a waste of money. And in some cases, excessive intake can damage the body, have a toxic effect, interfere with medications, and may even result in death.

Choose a balanced multivitamin-mineral supplement rather than one or two specific nutrients, unless it has been medically prescribed.

Choose a supplement that provides close to 100-150% of the Daily Value (DV) for recognized nutrients. The exception to this is calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus. If the supplement did contain 100% DV of these nutrients, it would be too large to swallow.

Look for the "USP" insignia on the label. This ensures that the supplement meets the standards for strength, purity, disintegration and dissolution established by the testing organization, U.S. Pharmacopeia (USP).

Read the supplement label carefully. Follow serving size recommendations.

Avoid supplements that contain unrecognized nutrients and substances. A number of substances like PABA, inositol, bee pollen, lecithin, have never been shown to be essential to humans. They do nothing but boost the price.

Beware of gimmicks. Synthetic supplements that are made in a laboratory are usually the same as so-called "natural" supplements. The body knows no difference, but your wallet does. "Natural" supplements cost more.

Do not give in to the temptation of added herbs, enzymes, or amino acids. This only adds to the cost.

Avoid supplements that claim to be therapeutic, high-potency, or for stress. This adds cost with no additional benefits.

Choose a supplement with an expiration date on the container. Vitamins can lose potency over time, especially in hot and humid climates. Follow storage advice. Supplements should be kept in a cool, dry place, with a tight fitting lid.

Keep supplements in a locked cabinet away from children. Don’t leave them on the counter or rely on child-resistant packaging. Be especially careful with any supplements that contain iron. Iron overdose is a leading cause of poisoning deaths among children.

Bottom Line: A poor diet plus supplements is still a poor diet. Food remains your best source of vitamins and minerals. So spend a little more time and money on delicious, tasty meals and snacks to meet your nutritional needs. And remember, a supplement is just that…a little extra in addition to wise food choices. This little extra poses no danger and may be helpful at times– if chosen wisely.

All are very good tips.

Excellent article. I know people who take mega doses of vitamins and they just won't listen about the dangers. Some vitamins just wash out as they're water soluble so you're just wasting money. The ones that aren't water soluble can build up to toxic levels. People need to learn that all things need to be done in moderation. Anything done to excess can be bad for you.

I know that Vitamin A can cause liver damage and B12 can cause nerve damage, if memory serves. What other vitamins and minerals, taken in mega doses, can cause harm?

If your pee looks like Mt Dew its so unnaturally yellow you're probably taking too many vitamins (or at least too much Vit C). lol.

Its called Hypervitaminosis when you take an overdose of vitamins and the most common are A, D, E, and C that I know of.

wow.

I thought vitamin B cause your urine to turn that bright yellow. About how long can that go on before you start creating damage to your organs?

My doctor knows which vitamins I take. He hasn`t said anything about me taking too much so I assume what I take is fine. I don`t overdo it though.