Vitamin Dosage Cautions
While taking vitamins is often thought to be a good thing, getting too much of them can simply be dangerous.
For instance, large doses of Vitamin E can increase the risk of bleeding if you’re on blood thinners. Higher doses of this vitamin, according to researchers at Johns Hopkins University, was associated with a higher risk of dying. Furthermore, high dosages of vitamin A can increases the risk of liver cancer, lung cancer, birth defects and reduced bone density.
An earlier analysis by these same researchers in 2004 found that actual dosages contained in vitamin supplements may greatly exceed the dosages listed on the package. For instance, some Vitamin E supplements advertised to contain 400 IU actually contained as much as 1000 IU. Further compounding the issue of high vitamin consumption is that a number of processed foods are “fortified” with vitamins, causing you to have vitamin levels in excess of that which you consume in supplements.
In summary, the safe use of vitamins is best achieved by creating a partnership with a qualified medical professional and undergoing vitamin testing to ensure that what you’re taking is the right amount.