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- $Unique_ID{BRK00251}
- $Pretitle{}
- $Title{Do Large Vitamin Doses Make You Healthier?}
- $Subject{vitamins megadose uses Ill Defined Symptoms symptom large doses dose
- hurt harmful Recommended Daily Allowance RDA overdose fat-soluble A D toxicity
- toxic health diet Niacin nicotinic acid blood fats coronary artery hepatitis
- hyperglycemia Pyridoxine treat premenstrual syndrome PMS carpal tunnel
- syndrome asthma central nervous system sensory loss psoriasis ichthyosis
- Darier's disease liver C pantothenic acids E}
- $Volume{N-26}
- $Log{}
-
- Copyright (c) 1991-92,1993 Tribune Media Services, Inc.
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- Do Large Vitamin Doses Make You Healthier?
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- QUESTION: Do large doses of vitamins really help you be healthier?
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- ANSWER: Despite the beliefs of some, the only answer I can give that respects
- current medical knowledge is "No". In fact, large doses of some vitamins can
- hurt you. Vitamins, like anything else, are helpful when taken in moderation.
- Be informed about vitamins and what they can--and can't--do for you.
- Vitamins are naturally-occurring substances that, in certain amounts, are
- essential to good health. The Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) has been set
- for all vitamins by the National Institutes of Health, and the RDA indicates
- the minimum amount of each vitamin that is required to avoid a deficiency.
- Vitamins are usually used in small amounts; vitamins can be powerful "drugs"
- if they are used in large amounts. Anytime vitamins are administered in
- excess amounts, the patient should be carefully monitored for signs of vitamin
- overdose. Regularly exceeding the RDA by prescribing vitamin supplements to
- yourself is not wise, because vitamins can have profound side effects.
- The fat-soluble vitamins, especially A and D, are maybe the best known
- for their toxicity in large doses. However, the water-soluble vitamins can be
- toxic in large doses also. It seems that the quickest way to learn about the
- toxicity of large doses of a vitamin is to follow the health and diet fads--if
- a particular fad calls for large amounts of vitamins, you can be sure that
- toxicity will soon follow.
- Beware of anyone, in or out of health care, who advocates large amounts
- of vitamins to "cure" a health problem. Besides the health problems it can
- cause, taking large amounts of vitamins can be an enormous waste of money. If
- you are eating a well-balanced diet, you're probably getting plenty of
- vitamins every day. If you're not sure, keep track of your food intake for a
- few days, and consult a registered dietitian or your physician. Chances are
- any vitamin deficiencies can be made up with a modification in your diet.
- There are a few vitamins that are useful in large amounts to certain
- people. At no time should these vitamins be self-administered without the
- guidance of a physician.
- Niacin, or nicotinic acid, has a healthy effect on the blood fats, which
- is important to the person with coronary artery disease. Niacin can lower the
- "bad" cholesterol in the blood, elevate the "good" cholesterol and decrease
- triglycerides. Its toxic effects range from nuisances such as flushing of the
- skin to more infrequent but serious hepatitis and hyperglycemia.
- Pyridoxine has been used to treat premenstrual syndrome (PMS), carpal
- tunnel syndrome and asthma. Toxic effects center on the central nervous
- system, and they may range from mild sensory loss to inability to walk.
- Vitamin A is well-known for its role in good vision and in healthy skin
- and membranes. It can be helpful in treating psoriasis, acne, ichthyosis and
- Darier's disease. The oral as well as the topical (lotion) forms are used.
- The main problems with Vitamin A toxicity are severe liver problems as well as
- swelling of the brain. Both problems can result in death, so Vitamin A should
- only be used with great caution.
- Popular but of questionable value in large doses are Vitamin C,
- pantothenic acids and Vitamin E. Remember that these vitamins, like any
- substances taken in large amounts, can cause as many problems as they solve.
- Instead of spending money on large amounts of vitamins, spend your money on a
- variety of nutritious food. You'll enjoy it and chances are you'll be
- healthier, too.
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- The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace
- the counsel and advice of your personal physician. Promptly consulting your
- doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical
- problem.
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