Getting Too Much of Vitamins And Minerals

The health consequences of going overboard on vitamins and minerals
By Cari Nierenberg WebMD Feature
Reviewed by Laura J. Martin, MD

Nowadays, everything from bottled water to orange juice seems to have souped-up levels of vitamins and minerals in it. That may sound like a way to help cover your nutritional bases, especially if your diet is less than stellar. But are you in danger of getting too much of these important nutrients? And can these overloads hurt you?
Yes, if you're routinely taking megadoses. For instance, too much vitamin C or zinc could cause nausea, diarrhea, and stomach cramps. Too much selenium could lead to problems including hair loss, gastrointestinal upset, fatigue, and mild nerve damage.
Most people aren't getting megadoses. Still, if you eat a fortified cereal at breakfast, grab an energy bar between meals, have enriched pasta for dinner, and take a daily multivitamin, you could easily be over the recommended daily intake of a host of nutrients.

When it comes to vitamins and minerals, more is not necessarily better. Here's what you need to know to avoid overdoing it.

http://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/features/effects-of-taking-too-many-vitamins