2024-03-16 05:00:45
Because they are not classified as medicines, dietary supplements and vitamins are sold without a prescription. And, it is not uncommon for people to start consuming them without any specific guidance, just because they saw an ad on the internet, a friend recommended it or it worked for their neighbor.
The problem appears when the person overdoes the dose or takes something that is not suitable for their needs. In situations like this, what was supposed to be beneficial can be harmful to your health. At the end of February, attention was drawn to the death of an elderly man due to hypercalcemia (excess calcium in the blood) caused by excessive consumption of vitamin D. Consuming vitamins and minerals without need can lead to liver and kidney dysfunction and even death.
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Endocrinologist Marise Lazaretti Castro warns that the biggest risk is making purchases without the guidance of health professionals. “Many people choose generalist multivitamins to supplement a deficiency identified in tests. To supplement vitamin D, for example, they end up having excess vitamin A”, explains the professor at the Federal University of São Paulo (Unifesp).
What are the signs of excess?
The most common symptoms of vitamin and supplement poisoning are intestinal discomfort, vomiting and fatigue.
Excess B vitamins can also lead to tingling and itching of the skin, in addition to increased blood pressure.
Too much vitamin C can cause urinary stones, putting a strain on the kidneys. In cases like this, burning when peeing is one of the first symptoms. Excess vitamin D, on the other hand, leads to changes in calcium metabolism.
Taking supplements without medical advice is a risk. What to do when symptoms appear?
Experts recommend that, when there is discomfort, the use of supplements be stopped immediately. A doctor should be consulted immediately to assess whether the condition is a consequence of an overdose of vitamins.
“It is not appropriate to automatically attribute the origin of the problem to the supplement. We have to carry out a more in-depth analysis”, explains toxicologist Alvaro Pulchinelli, president of the Brazilian Society of Clinical Pathology and Laboratory Medicine (SBPC/ML).
Simple laboratory tests of urine and blood can indicate whether there has been excess ingestion.
What are the most concerning supplements?
Any substance ingested in excess can be harmful to the body, even water, so all supplements are potentially harmful.
The supplements that experts recommend taking greater care of are vitamin D and vitamin C, already mentioned here, and zinc and calcium, which can lead to gastrointestinal discomfort.
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