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What happens when you take too many supplements?

What happens when you take too many supplements?

But routinely getting an overload of vitamins and minerals can hurt you. Too much vitamin C or zinc could cause nausea, diarrhea, and stomach cramps. Too much selenium could lead to hair loss, gastrointestinal upset, fatigue, and mild nerve damage.

How many supplements a day is too many?

“Most people think it’s fine to take as much as they want,” says Rosenbloom. “I know people who take 10,000 mg a day.” However, the upper tolerable limit is 2,000 mg a day. “People at risk for kidney stones can increase that risk; people also can get diarrhea.

Is it safe to take multiple supplements?

Combining supplements will not normally interfere with the way they work and in some cases may be beneficial, for example vitamin C helps iron absorption.

Are there any side effects to taking supplements?

We can’t get the same synergistic effect from a supplement. Taking certain vitamins or minerals in higher-than-recommended doses may even interfere with nutrient absorption or cause side effects. Before you take any supplements for disease prevention, it’s important to know whether the potential benefits outweigh the risks.

How to avoid harmful effects of vitamins and supplements?

If you do take vitamins, supplements, or herbal products, always read any safety labels that are included with the packaging. Ask a pharmacist, your doctor, or a nurse to review everything you take to ensure that supplements will not cause harmful effects, either alone or in combination with regularly prescribed or over-the-counter drugs.

Is it bad to take too many multivitamins?

“If you’re taking a basic multivitamin, there’s no need to fear taking too much,” says Andrew Shao, PhD, senior vice president of scientific and regulatory affairs for the Council for Responsible Nutrition, a trade group for the supplements industry.

Is it safe to take supplements without a prescription?

These products are widely available without prescription and are advertised as alternatives or complements to therapeutically prescribed pharmaceutical drugs. As a result, dietary or herbal supplements are widely perceived to be natural and safe.