Introduction
The human body needs several vitamins and minerals throughout the course of a day for optimal functioning; long-term deficiencies or surpluses in particular vitamins can have devastating, even lethal, effects for a person. It is possible to get most, if not all, of the nutrients a person needs in one vitamins. However, people need to read labels of multivitamins thoroughly. Several vitamins, such as Vitamins A, D, E and K, can prove fatal if taken in very excessive doses over a long period of time. Some one vitamins may have a full day's supply of Vitamin A, D, E and K, and people will also likely consume those vitamins through their daily diet, which may result in a vitamin overdose. A healthy and balanced diets rich in whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables and dairy products is recommended to get all of the nutrients a person needs. In some cases, doctors may suggest that patients take a multivitamin to get many or all of the vitamins needed to sustain human life.
Picking a Vitamin
While there are several vitamin supplements on the market, such as bottles of Folate supplements or Vitamin B supplements, a daily multivitamin typically provides dozens of nutrients through one vitamins. Some multivitamins are marketed toward particular groups of people based on age and gender, as the nutrient requirements for people can vary based on gender, age and whether or not someone is pregnant or lactating. Ask your doctor about multivitamins that may be best for you, according to your statistics and your dietary needs. Typically, patients will consume one multivitamin per day with food or with a glass of water to reduce the chances of developing nausea. Doctors may sometimes recommend that you snap a multivitamin in half and take only half of a vitamin per day to avoid an overdose. Do not give children an adult multivitamin. There are several children's multivitamin products on the market. Giving a child a dosage of an adult multivitamin could result in an overdose, especially if the multivitamin contains iron.
Mixing Supplements
Caution should be taken when mixing a daily multivitamin with another vitamin supplement. It is likely unnecessary for you to take multiple vitamins per day. One multivitamin should provide all of the supplemental vitamins and minerals that a human body needs. Pairing up a multivitamin with another vitamin, such as calcium and Vitamin D, can increase the likelihood of an overdose and increase the chances that a person may develop problems such as calcium deposits in the kidneys. Rather than taking in all of your nutrients through supplements, ask a doctor about which foods are high in which particular vitamin. Dairy products, for example, are often prime sources of calcium and vitamin D. A doctor may encourage a balanced diet rather than ingesting one vitamins.
Tips and comments
If you suspect that are suffering from a vitamin overdose, especially an overdose in iron, Vitamins A, D, E or K, go to an emergency room immediately. An overdose of these vitamins could be fatal.
Improve your diet before resorting to the use of vitamin supplements.
Look for fortified foods. Several diet milkshakes or powdered drinks are fortified with vitamins and minerals.
