Dietary supplements: which overdoses are dangerous

Dietary supplements: which overdoses are dangerous

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Dietary supplements can also be harmful to your health if taken in large quantities. Countless people are affected without knowing it.

Serum in glass bottle
1/8Vitamin E should never be taken long-term and without medical advice. Anyone who ignores this risks gastrointestinal problems and an increased risk of bleeding. The maximum tolerable daily dose is 300 mg per day, according to the European Food Safety Authority. At the same time, the consumer advice center warns that the frequency of hemorrhagic strokes (cerebral hemorrhage) increases with doses of 130 to approximately 200 mg per day. © Dasha Petrenko/Imago
Vitamin D tablets close up
2/8An overdose of vitamin D can be problematic. “An excessive intake of vitamin D causes increased calcium levels in the body (hypercalcemia), which can cause nausea, loss of appetite, abdominal cramps, vomiting or, in severe cases, kidney damage, cardiac arrhythmias, loss of consciousness and death . Because vitamin D can be stored in the body, an acute and gradual overdose is possible,” says the Robert Koch Institute. © Imago
Nutritional supplement tablets next to two mortars
3/8Vitamin B6 can be taken individually, but also in the form of combined dietary supplements. An overdose damages the nervous system. As a result, those affected suffer from unsteady gait, which can be associated with falls. The Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) recommends a maximum amount of 3.5 milligrams per day for added vitamin B6 in the form of dietary supplements. © Imago
Woman drinks vitamin B12 solution.
4/8Some people take vitamin B12 in the form of liquid supplements. The same applies here: only take the medicine if your doctor advises you to. Otherwise, serious side effects are possible. As the NDR reports, current studies show that high levels of vitamin B12 in the blood may be associated with an increased risk of lung cancer. A vitamin B12 overdose is likely to occur if you take more than 25 micrograms of the vitamin daily through dietary supplements, according to the BfR. © Imago
Vitamin 3 tablets arranged to form the term “B3”.
5/8Taking vitamin B3 (also nicotinic acid or niacin) in excessive doses can harm your health. Burning heart, headache, diarrhea and stomach pain are signs of overdose. Potentially fatal drops in blood pressure and liver damage are also possible consequences. According to Techniker Krankenkasse, niacin deficiency practically does not occur with a normal diet. The critical maximum amount of 35 milligrams daily can hardly be achieved with food alone. © Imago
The man has nutritional supplements in his hand.
6/8Many people take vitamin A daily in the form of dietary supplements. An overdose can reduce bone stability. Pregnant women are at greater risk of harming the fetus. For adults, the maximum daily dose of vitamin A (from all sources) is 3,000 micrograms, according to the consumer advice center. There is no such recommendation for provitamin A because an overdose of this nutrient does not cause any symptoms. © Michael Bihlmayer/Imago
Calcium effervescent tablets
7/8Calcium is extremely harmful in excessive doses. Anyone who overdoses on the mineral in the form of dietary supplements is at risk of having a heart attack. This is what Lübeck professor of pharmaceutical nutrition Martin Smollich says in an interview with the Spektrum knowledge portal: “The risk is demonstrably increased with a daily dose of more than 1,500 milligrams of calcium.” © Vlad Ispas/Imago
Check-up: results of a blood test
8/8Potassium deficiency as well as excess potassium in the blood must be treated. The latter can be fatal. Intestinal obstruction, muscle weakness and paralysis, lung failure and cardiac arrhythmias are possible consequences of a potassium overdose, according to the German Nutrition Society. As a rule, no more than five to six grams of potassium are consumed through the diet per day, he continues. If kidney function is intact, this amount is harmless. © Rüdiger Rebmann/Imago

To maintain a healthy lifestyle, many people turn to nutritional supplements. But so-called miracle pills can contain dangers. Health problems are possible if you take medications without medical supervision. And your wallet suffers too. Because the costs of pills and pills increase quickly.

An overdose of vitamins and minerals that seem harmless can cause serious symptoms. Instead of the expected increase in vitality, nausea, headaches and even long-term health problems may occur. The body needs a balanced proportion of nutrients, and too much can seriously upset this balance.

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A healthy lifestyle prevents deficiency symptoms

Healthy adults who maintain a healthy lifestyle and eat a balanced diet generally get all the important nutrients. You should only take dietary supplements if they are recommended by a doctor due to a proven deficiency. This can manifest itself through various symptoms. Find out what signs may indicate nutrient deficiency here.

This article only contains general information on the respective health topic and is therefore not intended for self-diagnosis, treatment or medication. In no way does it replace a visit to the doctor. Unfortunately, our editorial team is unable to answer individual questions about medical conditions.

This article was prepared using a machine and carefully checked by editor Juliane Gutmann before publication.

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