Clipping Board » Dangerous Medicinal Tonics ─ Nutrients should be moderate in the body—excessive supplementation only becomes a burden.
2007/01/25 15:21
Reporter Jiang Wenyi / Taipei Report
Improper intake of vitamins may lead to poisoning! Pharmacists point out that vitamins play a crucial role in the body's metabolic processes. For instance, a deficiency in Vitamin A can cause night blindness, a lack of Vitamin C can lead to scurvy, and insufficient Vitamin D can result in osteoporosis. However, excessive intake of fat-soluble vitamins such as A, D, E, and K can potentially cause poisoning.
Li Jiali, the head of the pharmacy department at Taipei City United Hospital Zhongxiao Branch, shared a case where a sixth-grader with myopia was given Vitamin A by his mother, who was concerned about his worsening vision. The mother even doubled the dose, leading to symptoms of nausea, vomiting, and severe headaches after three months. Fearing meningitis, they sought medical help, only to discover that the culprit was an overdose of Vitamin A. The child recovered after stopping the intake and naturally expelling the excess toxins from his body.
Li explained that vitamins are categorized into water-soluble and fat-soluble types. Water-soluble vitamins like C and B complex are easily excreted through urine and do not accumulate in the body. They can be supplemented when staying up late, using the brain frequently, or having an unbalanced diet. However, fat-soluble vitamins such as A, D, E, and K are not easily expelled naturally. She warned that excessive intake can lead to accumulation in the liver, causing metabolic poisoning.
Moreover, many people take high doses of Vitamin C for its skin-whitening effects. Li noted that while normal individuals might excrete the excess naturally, those with high uric acid levels or kidney stones should avoid excessive intake. Additionally, individuals on anticoagulants should avoid dark green vegetables and Vitamin K.
Li also mentioned the popular health supplements "fish oil" and "cod liver oil," which are often confused by the elderly due to their similar origins from fish. Cod liver oil, extracted from fish liver, is rich in Vitamins A and D, whereas fish oil primarily contains EPA and DHA, which help lower blood lipids. Mistaking cod liver oil for fish oil can lead to liver poisoning, so caution is advised.
With the increasing public focus on antioxidants and anti-aging, the demand for various vitamins has surged. Li emphasized that some calcium tablets already contain Vitamin D in compound forms. Therefore, additional single-form vitamin supplements should be taken under medical advice to avoid overdose and poisoning. For those unsure about supplementation, she recommends taking one multivitamin a day as the safest option, providing a balanced and minimal dose.
Source: http://www. ettoday. com/ 2007/ 01/ 25/ 545- 2046047. htm
Excessive Vitamin A Intake Nearly Fatal for Sixth Grader
Reporter Jiang Wenyi / Taipei Report
Improper intake of vitamins may lead to poisoning! Pharmacists point out that vitamins play a crucial role in the body's metabolic processes. For instance, a deficiency in Vitamin A can cause night blindness, a lack of Vitamin C can lead to scurvy, and insufficient Vitamin D can result in osteoporosis. However, excessive intake of fat-soluble vitamins such as A, D, E, and K can potentially cause poisoning.
Li Jiali, the head of the pharmacy department at Taipei City United Hospital Zhongxiao Branch, shared a case where a sixth-grader with myopia was given Vitamin A by his mother, who was concerned about his worsening vision. The mother even doubled the dose, leading to symptoms of nausea, vomiting, and severe headaches after three months. Fearing meningitis, they sought medical help, only to discover that the culprit was an overdose of Vitamin A. The child recovered after stopping the intake and naturally expelling the excess toxins from his body.
Li explained that vitamins are categorized into water-soluble and fat-soluble types. Water-soluble vitamins like C and B complex are easily excreted through urine and do not accumulate in the body. They can be supplemented when staying up late, using the brain frequently, or having an unbalanced diet. However, fat-soluble vitamins such as A, D, E, and K are not easily expelled naturally. She warned that excessive intake can lead to accumulation in the liver, causing metabolic poisoning.
Moreover, many people take high doses of Vitamin C for its skin-whitening effects. Li noted that while normal individuals might excrete the excess naturally, those with high uric acid levels or kidney stones should avoid excessive intake. Additionally, individuals on anticoagulants should avoid dark green vegetables and Vitamin K.
Li also mentioned the popular health supplements "fish oil" and "cod liver oil," which are often confused by the elderly due to their similar origins from fish. Cod liver oil, extracted from fish liver, is rich in Vitamins A and D, whereas fish oil primarily contains EPA and DHA, which help lower blood lipids. Mistaking cod liver oil for fish oil can lead to liver poisoning, so caution is advised.
With the increasing public focus on antioxidants and anti-aging, the demand for various vitamins has surged. Li emphasized that some calcium tablets already contain Vitamin D in compound forms. Therefore, additional single-form vitamin supplements should be taken under medical advice to avoid overdose and poisoning. For those unsure about supplementation, she recommends taking one multivitamin a day as the safest option, providing a balanced and minimal dose.
Source: http://www. ettoday. com/ 2007/ 01/ 25/ 545- 2046047. htm