Supplement Toxicity

[Brownshugaz]

I know a lot of you ladies are taking several vitamins and minerals in your quest for healthier and longer hair. However, aren't any of you concerned with the potential for toxicity from taking an excess? Toxicities can be very dangerous. I think that's one of my main deterrants form popping every pill I can find.

 

[SohoHair]

I think most of the supplements that a lot of ladies take here are pretty safe even in high doses, for example, B-complex (which includes the magical Biotin), Vitamin C, and MSM are all water soluble. What that means is even if you take too much of it, if you drink water throughout the day, your body will flush them out all on its own. That's why even really basic multi-vitamins will have like 600% of the reccomended daily allowance of some of these vitamins. It's also why if you take vitamins with large amounts B-complex in it your pee will turn fluorescent yellow. . It's not dangerous at all.

However there are vitamins that ARE dangerous, and do run a risk of reaching toxic levels in your body, those are vitamins that are fat soluble. Vitamins E and A are both fat soluble. Extra amounts of these vitamins are stored in your liver and taking more than than the reccomended amount means that they will keep building up faster than your liver can break them down which means that they can reach toxic levels in your body. I think it's always important to do your research before taking a new supplement and if you're still unsure about whether or not this helps, consult you doctor . HTH.

 

[Nita81]

I think most of the supplements that a lot of ladies take here are pretty safe even in high doses, for example, B-complex (which includes the magical Biotin), Vitamin C, and MSM are all water soluble. What that means is even if you take too much of it, if you drink water throughout the day, your body will flush them out all on its own. That's why even really basic multi-vitamins will have like 600% of the reccomended daily allowance of some of these vitamins. It's also why if you take vitamins with large amounts B-complex in it your pee will turn fluorescent yellow. . It's not dangerous at all.

However there are vitamins that ARE dangerous, and do run a risk of reaching toxic levels in your body, those are vitamins that are fat soluble. Vitamins E and A are both fat soluble. Extra amounts of these vitamins are stored in your liver and taking more than than the reccomended amount means that they will keep building up faster than your liver can break them down which means that they can reach toxic levels in your body. I think it's always important to do your research before taking a new supplement and if you're still unsure about whether or not this helps, consult you doctor . HTH.

Wow that I didn't know about the bolded part. I was on the lookout of taking too much iron. Thanks for sharing. I'm going to look at my vitamins again when I get home.

 

[MizaniMami]

I think most of the supplements that a lot of ladies take here are pretty safe even in high doses, for example, B-complex (which includes the magical Biotin), Vitamin C, and MSM are all water soluble. What that means is even if you take too much of it, if you drink water throughout the day, your body will flush them out all on its own. That's why even really basic multi-vitamins will have like 600% of the reccomended daily allowance of some of these vitamins. It's also why if you take vitamins with large amounts B-complex in it your pee will turn fluorescent yellow. . It's not dangerous at all.

However there are vitamins that ARE dangerous, and do run a risk of reaching toxic levels in your body, those are vitamins that are fat soluble. Vitamins E and A are both fat soluble. Extra amounts of these vitamins are stored in your liver and taking more than than the reccomended amount means that they will keep building up faster than your liver can break them down which means that they can reach toxic levels in your body. I think it's always important to do your research before taking a new supplement and if you're still unsure about whether or not this helps, consult you doctor . HTH.

Good info SOHOGirl!

 

[Victorian]

WAIT!!!
There are some B vitamins that can cause nerve damage if taken in too high doses for an extended period of time (biotin isn't currently known to be one of them, though, so biotin megadosers don't panic ). For the love of all that is good in the world I implore you all to do your own research before you start taking stuff.
If you go to my hair journal (link in siggy) and click on the "links" section on the right side of the page, you'll see a few reliable resources I have listed for finding out more info about vitamin toxicity and vitamins in general.

It can be overwhelming to visit a million links and sift through all the info, but at least check out what is available for the vitamins you are considering taking, or that you know are present in high amounts in your supplement. You should see a link to the PDF of the official RDA's and Upper Limits (published in 2004) on that page, which may be a good place to start if you just want to know what the limits are right now and don't want to go reading a bunch of articles.

 

[beyondcute]

Everything in moderation... Anything is excess is harmful. You can even get sick from drinking too much water.

 

[Brownshugaz]

I just started this post hoping it would become a sort of Public Service Announcement and I'm glad it has. I took a nutrition class and part of the curriculum dealt with vitamin and supplement toxicity and I immediately thought of the LHCF ladies. I just want everyone to be safe. Long hair isn't worth your health. Be safe everyone.

 

[sareca]

I look up the toxicity data for every pill before popping. Most of mine are safe. MSM has the same toxicity profile as water. The only one I'm concerned about is the glucosamine I take for my joints. It is not recommended for long term use (not more than 6 months) and has blood thinning properties.

 

[Lucia]

If you take too much vitamin B basically you'll be charged up like you had a couple cups of Starbucks, it will wash out of your body but I don't take all my vitamins on the same day I take them over a 2-3 day stretch and drink plenty of water, alot of what I take is minerals and herbs anyways so no toxicity prob there.