What is dangerous to drink vitamins in large quantities
An excess of vitamins can cause disruption of the gastrointestinal tract, nervous system, anemia, nausea, allergies and other negative consequences, warns the therapist of JSC “Medicine” (Academician Roitberg clinic), member of the Russian Scientific Medical Association. Therapists Oksana Serebryakova.
Doctor, the main mistake of vitamin lovers is that a person cannot take them on his own. “To avoid an overdose, drugs should be used in recommended doses, with food, you can not prescribe them yourself. The choice and dosage of vitamins should be individual, ”says the doctor.
Self-administration of vitamins is also common because
Manufacturers of dietary supplements use aggressive marketing, pack the drug in a multi-colored box and make their appointments clear: “for the skin”, “for the hair”, “for the eyes”, “for women’s health” and other things, allergist-immunologist, dermatologist Maria Polner noted, creating the illusion of security and unconditional benefit.
“There is an opinion that taking vitamin complexes is beneficial in any amount. I often hear from patients that the drug is taken “just in case”, “it won’t get any worse”, “it’s helpful”. But every drug taken orally should be prescribed by a specialist after a history, that is, a condition that indicates vitamin deficiency, and a blood test to determine the level of deficiency.”
According to Serebryakova, the possibilities of modern medicine allow personalized selection of drugs for the patient. To do this, a complete analysis is carried out, taking into account all features, including genetic ones, after which, based on the results, an individual care plan is issued.
“Personalized Medicine” is a new organizational model for creating medical care for patients based on the selection of individual therapeutic, diagnostic and preventive agents that best suit the body’s biochemical, physiological and genetic characteristics.
Always need a doctor’s appointment?
Avitaminosis (deep vitamin deficiency in the body), in which patients mistakenly diagnose themselves and begin to abuse vitamin complexes, is usually hypovitaminosis (partial deficiency). If a person wants to take vitamin-mineral complexes, he should definitely consult a specialist, the therapist insists.
“The drug should be complex, containing all the necessary vitamins and minerals, the concentration of which should be in the range of 40-60% of the daily requirement. In this case, there is no risk of overdose, ”says Serebryakova.
At the same time, the specialist reminds that vitamins should be divided into two types: fat-soluble and water-soluble. Thus, water-soluble vitamins are excreted from the body faster, such a group of vitamins includes vitamins C, B1, B3, B6, B12, which are necessary for improving immunity, healing, supplying cells with glucose.
Fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K) in turn are involved in the metabolism of proteins, fats and carbohydrates in the body, blood clotting, etc. is responsible.
“It should be noted that fat-soluble vitamins are excreted more slowly from the body than water-soluble ones,” the doctor advises.
The danger of self-selection of vitamin complexes lies in the fact that many drugs, as a rule, do not take into account the interaction of vitamins in tablets with each other – some components may overlap each other due to chemical action. reaction, in which the drug was ineffective, the immunologist added. “Biological rhythm is also not taken into account because, for example, some vitamins are absorbed better in the morning and not at all in the evening,” Polner said.
Often, patients begin to use it uncontrollably, forgetting about the mandatory breaks between courses of taking multivitamins. But the process and results of vitamin therapy cannot be analyzed without a doctor.
“After a month of taking vitamins, it is worth taking a break for a week, then another month and so on. Three months after taking vitamins, you need to take control tests, in which the need to extend vitamin therapy is decided, ”says Serebryakova.
What vitamins are missing in the spring?
Doctor Serebryakova says that self-medication with vitamins in the spring is also common, because many people suffer from vitamin deficiencies during this period. However, the term “spring vitamin deficiency” does not exist – vitamin deficiency can occur at any time of the year, not just in the spring.
“This is a very serious problem, because even a vitamin deficiency can lead to very unpleasant consequences: it causes metabolic disorders, the formation of enzyme substances important for metabolism, causes chronic diseases, weight problems, appearance,” he adds.
In order to understand whether there is a deficiency in some vitamins, you should pay attention to the symptoms. So if you’re worried about dry eyes, skin rashes, and frequent colds, a vitamin A deficiency can be suspected, Polner reminds.
“The deficiency of vitamin D, bone fragility, weakness and fatigue, often manifested by SARS. Vitamins of group E – with a deficiency of red blood cells and neurons are destroyed, which leads to anemia and neurological disorders. With a deficiency of vitamin C, bleeding, tooth loss , bone fragility, gingivitis and poor wound healing are characteristic.
Vitamin B6 deficiency can cause dermatitis, lymphopenia, depression, seizures, and low vitamin B12 content leads to anemia and various neurological disorders: paresthesia (impaired sensitivity of body tissues), impaired consciousness, ”explained Polner
With these symptoms, you should contact a specialist who will prescribe an examination, after which it will be possible to deliberately correct the desired vitamin deficiency. The doctor also noted that Russians most often have a deficiency of vitamin D. To prescribe an adequate dose, it is recommended to take a blood test for its content.
If deficiencies are not detected and there are no obvious health problems, I advise you to make up for the deficiency not with vitamin complexes, but with a full-fledged balanced diet, ”the doctor said.
Source: Gazeta
