What are the risks of taking too many vitamins?

Regular intake of vitamins is vital to ensure our body functions correctly. We, above all, get our vitamins through food and our digestive wall. Fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E and K) are stored in our body, whilst water-soluble vitamins B and C are eliminated through urine and, as such, need to be resupplied on a daily basis. Deficiencies can occur if the dietary intake is insufficient or not varied enough, whenever the body has problems absorbing the vitamins as well as for a variety of other reasons (aging, genetics, lack of exposure to the sun, smoking, excess alcohol or drugs). A supplement may then be envisaged, for example through IV therapy, which ensures vitamins are rapidly assimilated directly in the bloodstream. This treatment, which YuBoost proposes, remedies the deficiency effectively and relieves your symptoms. Whether we’re talking about a primary intake of vitamins via our food or a secondary intake to offset a deficiency, we need to be vigilant as to the amount we ingest. It’s vital to stick to a reasonable vitamin intake to avoid any risk of overdosing and the side effects that accompany this.

Observing with your daily vitamin needs

To easily assess your vitamin needs, we invite you to refer to health authority recommendations. It’s estimated that, on average, an adult’s daily vitamin B and C needs are as follows:

These figures can vary from one person to another and are higher, for example, during pregnancy, breastfeeding and intense sports performances. However, if there’s a great difference between these recommended needs and your daily intake, this should give you cause for concern. If your vitamin intake is much lower, this could indicate that you’re suffering from a deficiency; if, on the other hand, your intake is much higher, then you’re probably taking too many vitamins and run the risk of developing a number of side effects.

Gastrointestinal disorders

Gastrointestinal disorders are listed among the most common side effects when there’s an excessive vitamin C or vitamin B intake, in particular niacin (B3) intake. Stomach ache, heartburn, bloating, nausea and diarrhoea can occur. These can be accompanied by headaches and a loss of appetite.

Skin reactions

Dermatological symptoms can also appear when you overdose on vitamins. These are generally seen through temporary rashes such as inflammation, redness, itching and even urticaria. 

An impact on sleep and blood pressure

A significant amount of vitamin C or vitamin B12 can also lead to changes in sleep and make it difficult to fall asleep. Too much vitamin B1 or B2 can also lead to a change in blood pressure; these excesses can induce an increase in blood pressure (hypertension) or a decrease (hypotension) and may cause damage to the cardiovascular system in the event of long-term overdose.

Urinary, neurological and psychological disorders

In the event of vitamin C overdose, urinary disorders may appear: these usually take the form of discomfort when passing urine or an abnormal urine colour. When there’s too much vitamin B, this can sometimes lead to neurological disorders, characterized by tingling or numbness in the limbs, as well as negative effects on mental health, with symptoms such as mood disorders, a state of depression and panic attacks.