Most B vitamins are essential for human growth and development and are found in many foods and supplements. Overdose is rare, but excessive consumption of B3, B6, and B9 can cause harmful symptoms such as skin rashes, liver damage, and neurological damage. It is important to follow recommended daily values and seek medical advice for any symptoms.
The eight vitamins that make up the broad category “vitamin B” are essential for human growth and development. They occur naturally in many foods, especially dairy and meat products, and are also widely available in supplement form. Vitamin overdose rarely occurs due to naturally occurring B vitamins, but overdose has been documented in at least three vitamin B compounds from excessive consumption of supplements. Signs of a B vitamin overdose include skin rashes, liver damage, digestive problems, and neurological damage that can cause tingling and numbness. Since these symptoms are not unique to vitamin B overdose, it is important to see a doctor to determine the root cause before starting any treatment regimen.
Most vitamin B compounds have relatively low vitamin toxicity, and even megadoses cannot cause noticeable effects. There are unlikely to be any B vitamins overdose symptoms from a B12 overdose, for example. The human body is unable to store vitamin B, and excesses are typically eliminated from the body without incident.
There are three exceptions. Vitamins B3, B6 and B9 can be harmful in overdose. In ordinary amounts, these three compounds are essential for optimal health. Overuse, however, can have the opposite effect.
An overdose of vitamin B3, known chemically as niacin, can cause skin rashes, ulcers and, in situations of prolonged overdose, liver damage. Some patients have also reported fainting and dizziness. Niacin supplements are often prescribed to lower cholesterol and lower triglycerides, but only in limited doses. There is no evidence that taking large amounts of niacin lowers cholesterol more than the recommended dosage. Most of the time, reducing niacin dosages or stopping the supplement altogether will counteract niacin-related vitamin B overdose symptoms.
Vitamin B6 overdose can lead to long-term damage. Also known as pyridoxine, pyridoxal, or pyridoxamine, vitamin B6 is an essential part of the body’s blood-making process and also helps build and sustain the strength of the immune and nervous systems. An overdose of vitamin B6 can cause permanent nerve damage.
The damage typically manifests as numbness or tingling, usually in the hands and feet. Too much vitamin B6 will slowly wear down your nerves over time. A short-term overdose usually causes no symptoms and often causes no long-term harm. By the time a patient feels that numbness or tingling, however, it is often irreversible. This typically only occurs in cases of prolonged exposure to overdose.
Vitamin B9 is the last of the B vitamins with a known risk of overdose. Folate and folic acid make up vitamin B9. These elements are essential for human growth and development, particularly as regards blood cells and tissues. Overdosing on vitamin B9 can cause stomach cramps and other short-term digestive problems, most of which stop when you stop taking the supplement.
While no other vitamin B compound has a demonstrated pattern of potential overdose, it is never advisable to take more than one supplement than is necessary to meet dietary or health requirements. Most governments publish recommended daily values for a wide range of chemicals and compounds, including B vitamins. When doctors exceed these guidelines, they do so with caution and to treat a specific diagnosis. Recommended Daily Values and physician-guided dosages should not be arbitrarily overlooked, and care should be taken when adding a vitamin regimen to the daily diet.
Similar caution should be taken when seeking treatment. While symptoms may seem to be caused by a B vitamin overdose, most overdose symptoms can be caused by a variety of different things. Skipping vitamin B supplements will not resolve symptoms not actually caused by a vitamin B overdose. Only a doctor or other medical professional can accurately prescribe a treatment plan for a given set of presenting symptoms.
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