What About Vitamin Poisoning?
An article from the National
Clearinghouse for Poison Control
Centers Bulletin by
George D. Armstrong points out, "The
quantities required to constitute
an acute toxic dose of multivitamins
are so massive as to virtually
eliminate the possibility.
Even multivitamins in combination
with minerals or fluoride as a
single ingestion should be of no
more consequence than gastrointestinal
irritation with or without purgation."
With vitamin E,
for example, individuals concerned about
their long-term health can safely
take daily amounts greater than the
recommended dietary allowance without
toxic effects, according to a report.
The safety finding, reported
in the American Journal of Clinical
Nutrition by Lawrence I. Machlin,
Ph.D., is particularly important
because current research suggests
that dosages of vitamin E substantially
above the RDA level may be necessary
to prevent cell damage that can lead
to the development of degenerative
diseases such as cancer, heart disease,
and premature aging.
Researchers currently
working with vitamin E and its impact
on cell health suggest that 10 times
the RDA or more may be required to
minimize cell damage. The most compelling
evidence of vitamin E's low toxicity
was found in human studies involving
daily dosages of 600 to 3200 IU's
for periods of 3 weeks to 6 months,
where "no significant side
effects were observed," Machlin
said.
This is not to say
that we should feel free to take
any dosage we want of the several
supplements available today, but
should give us some piece of mind
knowing that in normal and mega-dosages,
statistics show vitamins to be safe
for all ages.
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