Supplement overdose possible?

[Alina]

Hi!

I've been searching the web and this forum but couldn't find the answer I was looking for. I hope some of the experts and veterans here can help.
My fitday shows I'm consuming way over RDI for several vitamins. Those fat-soluble are my worry: A and D. If I get 200% of RDI with food, is is dangerous to take supplement? My multivitamin contains 100% of A and D.
I also wonder if I can get too much calcium. Fitday shows 70-90 % of RDI a day, so far I have been taking a 100% RDI supplement, but now I wonder if this is wrong.
Reason I ask is that I'm having those strange neck/headaches I never had before, not even during induction.
Please, any help will be appreciated! :rheart:
Alina

[Zuleikaa]

Supplement overdose is possible but not likely. Except for iron and copper, most supplements are safe at well over 200% RDA. RDA has been set to eliminate deficiency symptoms. It has not been set for optimum health. I would examine your vitamins for sugars/starches and yeast. It's surprising how many vitamins contain these ingredients. They can be causing the reactions.

Calcium and vitamin C especially have been shown to be safe at high doses and in fact to foster fat loss. You could do some research on the web or at the library on individual supplements.

[KATHY942]

You need to be careful with the fat soluble vitamins - For example Vitamin A can be toxic in high levels. If you take a Beta-carotene supplement though, it will convert to Vitamin A and then when it reaches maximum dosage your body will elimante the excess.
When I was getting a bone density test the pharmacist said that you can take too much calcium. The results would be soft bones. This is the first time I had ever heard that.
Most of the water soluble vitamins are pretty safe though, it's the fat soluable ones you have to worry about.

[KATHY942]

Regarding Iron - Unless you know you are anemic and have a recommendation from a doctor you should not take iron supplements.

[Alina]

Thank you both for answering. I think I'll take my supplement every other day instead. As for calcium, I really could get too much because I'm drinking lots of mineral water.
thanks a lot!
Alina

[jessea]

I would like to recommend a book - Dr. Atkins Vita-Nutrient Solution. It is full of useful information, it would help you alot regarding dosages.

-Denise

[jeanne48]

Dear all,

I recently joined Fitday (July 27) and have similar questions.

I read on the internet (don't know how valid the theories are) that if you take too much vitamin C, it interacts with the iron in your body and you can RUST! There's also a Florida study that says too much Vitamin C on a daily basis (100 mg) for a period of time could lead to mental confusion. I guess so can reading enough articles on the internet! :lol:

Seriously though I have over 400% of Vitamin C and am having a very difficult time getting Vitamin D, zinc, calcium and magnesium.

Vitamin D is often found in fortified foods -- all of them carbs. How does a LCer get enough Vitamin D, other than via the sun and milk?

I do take a multivitamin supplement but because so many of my nutrients are over 100%, I hesitate to take one every day.

I'm not proud other than calorie- and unsaturated fat-wise of my foods listed in Fit-Day (see below for link).

Thanks!!!

Jeanne48

http://www.fitday.com/WebFit/PublicJournals.html?Owner=jeanne48

[LadyBelle]

zinc, calcium and magnesium.

Look in the vitamin section of Wally World (Walmart). They have a calcium, magnisium, and zinc mix. I just bought some today as my plain calcium suppliment is getting low. I normally take calcium 3 times a day and magnesium twice. You might look at various multivitamins. I was origionaly taking my prenatal vitamins for my multi, and was getting close to 1000% of some nutrients. I switched to one a day weight smart and the numbers look alot better. To bad it's not iron free, but I don't eat alot of red meats so I don't have a too large amount.

[btdude]

Always remember, that it is the RDA and that Pyramid of Nutrition horse sh** that Dr. Atkins is (well his comapny now) and has been working to turn over for 30 years. Listen to your body, not the pretty graphics and RDA recommended allowances. Cap'n Crunch has an RDA of 46 grams of SUGAR on its label, and this is ghood HOW? LOL