By Rhonda Williams

HOW TO AVOID
VITAMIN AND MINERAL TOXICITY
VITAMINS AND MINERAL SUPPLEMENTS
Herbs/ Specialty
Vitamins Minerals
Botanicals Products
• Vitamin A • Iron • Dandelion •Probiotics
• Vitamin C • Calcium • Milk Thistle •Fish oil
• Vitamin D • Magnesium • Garlic •Glucosamine
• Vitamin E • Zinc • Ginseng
• Vitamin K
HISTORY OF DIETARY SUPPLEMENTS IN
MODERN MEDICINE
In 1912, Casimir Funk created the term “vitamine”

The 1938 Food Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FDCA) established a category of foods with labels that
included vitamin and mineral properties

In 1976, Congress prohibited the FDA from classifying vitamin and minerals as drugs based on
their potency or combination

By 1990, the FDA proposed new RDIs for vitamins and minerals and expanded to herbs and
proteins. Also, “health claims” could be made with scientific evidence to show validity

In 1994, the passage of the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act established that
dietary supplements are not subject to food additive regulations

By 1998, annual sales of dietary supplements increased from $4 to $12 billion

SHOULD I TAKE DIETARY SUPPLEMENTS?

 Dietary supplements ensure individuals get an

adequate amount of essential nutrients
achieve and maintain good health and energy
levels
 Not everyone needs to take supplements

 It is more beneficial for everyone to get all of

their nutrients from a variety of whole foods
IS IT POSSIBLE TO OVER-SUPPLEMENT?
 Yes, it is possible to over-supplement
 Hypervitaminosis

 Vitamin and/or mineral toxicity can

accumulate overtime
 Toxicity can lead to health issues
 Liverdamage
 Bone Loss

 Fatigue
HOW DOES TOXICITY OCCUR

 Inappropriate Usage of Dietary Supplements

 Long-term use of dietary supplements

 Intake of certain vitamins and/or minerals

with prescription medication
HOW COMMON IS VITAMIN AND MINERAL
TOXICITY

Public’s
Taking
belief that The lack
individual
all of
vitamins
vitamins knowledge “More is
and
and about better”
minerals
mineral’s vitamins philosophy
with a
are and
multi-
inherently minerals
vitamin
safe
COMMON VITAMIN TOXICITY SYMPTOMS
• Should only take with advise from a physician
• Levels can rise quickly in the body
• Increases the risk of cancer and heart disease
Iron • Could cause death

•Hair Loss
•Drowsiness
•Severe headaches
Vitamin A •Liver damage

•Cause high levels of calcium absorption

•Constipation
•Kidney stones
Vitamin D
•Poor appetite
WHAT TO DO IF YOU SUSPECT A VITAMIN
OVERDOSE

• Discontinue or reduce the use of the dietary supplements.

1.

• Have your doctor perform a physical exam. Provide a list of all the
2. dietary supplements with the normal dosage.

• Ask for a blood test to check your current vitamin and mineral levels
3.

• Ask for a urine test to check for high levels of calcium in the urine.
4.

• Ask for a bone x-ray to know if there is any bone loss

5.
VITAMIN TOXICITY IN THE NEWS
What happens to your body if you eat too
many gummy vitamins?
CONCLUSION
•Eating a diet with whole foods is
a better source of vitamins and
minerals

•Follow the recommended dietary

allowance of any dietary
supplement

•Look for products with the USP

seal to ensure purity, quality, and
strength.
 REFERENCES
Dinuzzo, E. (2018, December 31). What happens to your body if you eat to many gummy vitamins. Retrieved from

https://www.aol.com/article/lifestyle/2018/12/31/what-happens-to-your-body-if-you-eat-too-many-gummy-vitamins/23622670/

Commission on Dietary Supplement Labels. (1997, November 24). Dietary Supplement Health And Education Act of 1994. Retrieved from

https://health.gov/dietsupp/ch1.htm

Kimpel, P. (2000, April). History of Dietary Supplements. Retrieved from http://iml.jou.ufl.edu/projects/Spring2000/Kimpel/history.html

National Health Institute. (2011, June 17). Dietary Elements : What you need to know. Retrieved from

https://ods.od.nih.gov/HealthInformation/DS_WhatYouNeedToKnow.aspx

National Institute of Health (NIH). (2013, August 13). Should you take dietary supplements. Retrieved from

https://newsinhealth.nih.gov/2013/08/should-you-take-dietary-supplements

Nierenberg, C. (2014, April 2). Getting Too Much of Vitamins and Minerals. Retrieved from https://www.webmd.com/diet/guide/effects-of-

taking-too-many-vitamins#3
 REFERENCES
Phua, D.H., Zosel, A. and Heard, K. (2009, June 2). Dietary supplements and herbal medicine toxicities—when to anticipate them and how to

manage them. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2700222/

Smarty-pants Staff. (n.d.). The Overdose Risks of Vitamins: Why Proper Dosage Matters. Retrieved from

https://www.smartypantsvitamins.com/blogs/articles/the-overdose-risks-of-vitamins-why-proper-dosage-matters

Tweed, V. (2017, May 1). The History of Vitamins. Retrieved from https://amazingwellnessmag.com/features/history-of-vitamins

Weil, A. (2013, December 17). Can You Overdose on Vitamin and Mineral Supplements? Retrieved from https://www.drweil.com/vitamins-

supplements-herbs/supplements-remedies/can-you-overdose-on-vitamin-and-mineral-supplements/

Willet, W. Sesso, H. and Rimm, E. (2013, March 5). Food and Vitamins and Supplements! Oh My! Retrieved from

https://hms.harvard.edu/sites/default/files/assets/Sites/LongwoodSeminars/Nutrition _3_5_13.pdf

Wilson, D. (2017, March 16). Hypervitaminosis D. Retrieved from https://www.healthline.com/health/hypervitaminosis-d