The consumption of vitamin B complex is very common. When people don’t get enough vitamin B through their diet, they are prescribed to take a vitamin B complex. Vitamin B is essential to maintain proper cell metabolism. It is a water-soluble vitamin that is broken down by the body through digestion to promote proper body functioning.
Vitamin B complex includes a class of 8 water-soluble vitamins that have multiple roles in terms of cell metabolism. When a supplement contains all the eight vitamins, it is referred to as vitamin B complex. The eight B vitamins are:
Vitamin B1 or Thiamine
Vitamin B2 or Riboflavin
Vitamin B3 or Niacin
Vitamin B5 or Pantothenic acid
Vitamin B6 or Pyridoxine
Vitamin B7 or Biotin
Vitamin B9 or Folic acid
Vitamin B12
While getting required amounts of Vitamin B helps maintaining proper body functioning and other health benefits, an excessive intake of B complex vitamin supplements or high doses of any of the B vitamins can lead to serious health consequences. An overdose of vitamin B can result in symptoms ranging from mild to severe. Some of the possible symptoms of vitamin B overdose are listed below.
Skin Rash
One of the common side effects vitamin B overdose is a skin rash. The skin may appear flushed and welts may appear all over the body. There might be a complaint of an itchy sensation throughout the body. The extent of skin rash depends on the intensity of vitamin B complex overdose.
Gastrointestinal Problems
Another common side effect of vitamin B overdose is gastrointestinal problems. When a higher dose of vitamin B is taken, people may suffer from indigestion, nausea or mild diarrhea. People with a prior history of gastrointestinal problems and aged individuals are more likely to suffer from intense stomach cramps and severe diarrhea after taking high doses of vitamin B.
Insomnia
An overdose of vitamin B can initiate or worsen the existing problem of insomnia. When the dose of B vitamins exceeds the normal requirement, it can interfere with the normal sleep cycle. High doses of B complex vitamins particularly vitamin B12 in the blood acts as an energy booster. Hence, a sudden rise in energy levels can affect normal sleep patterns and leads to insomnia
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In rare cases, people who take high doses of vitamin B for a long period of time may experience extreme numbness or a tingling sensation. In some patients, tingling sensation is experienced mostly in the right side of the body. This symptom is one of the early warning indicators of Vitamin B12 overdose.
Hypertension or Hypotension
One of the other side effects of vitamin B overdose is hypertension or hypotension. When the amount of vitamin B1, also known as thiamine exceeds the normal levels in the body, it can cause hypertension or high blood pressure. Similarly, when high doses of vitamin B2, usually referred to as riboflavin is taken, it can cause hypotension or low blood pressure. Either of the symptoms due to vitamin B complex overdose can cause a long-term effect on the normal functioning of the cardiovascular system.
Mood Swings
Vitamin B overdose not only affects one physically but has a negative impact on mental health as well. Some of the negative side effects of vitamin B overdose include mood swings, restlessness, depression, and panic attacks. Mood swings can worsen in people who suffer from paranoia, confusion, or mental fogginess; due to the high doses of vitamin B complex.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Even in large doses, consuming vitamin B-6 through food appears to be safe. Vitamin B-6 is probably safe when taken as a supplement in appropriate doses. Taking too much vitamin B-6 from supplements, on the other hand, can result in: a lack of muscle control or voluntary movement coordination (ataxia)..
The symptoms of a vitamin B complex overdose excessive thirst,skin conditions,blurry vision,abdominal cramps,nausea,vomiting,increased urination,diarrhea.
Following are the signs of vitamin overdose -Pressure changes in the skull (intracranial hypertension),vision changes,nausea,dizziness,migraines,bone pain,coma,death..
An abnormally high vitamin B-12 status can be an early sign of liver disease, diabetes, or certain types of leukemia. A doctor may use the results of a vitamin B-12 test to help form their diagnosis..
Vitamin B1 (thiamine), B2 (riboflavin), B3 (niacin), B6 (pyridoxine), and B12 are the most common forms of vitamin B. (cyanocobalamin). Except for niacin (when given in high doses), there is no evidence that the other B vitamins cause liver injury or jaundice in physiologic or even super-physiologic high doses..
A minimum daily dose of each vitamin is necessary to maintain good health. Significantly exceeding this dose, however, can cause illness. In general, the symptoms of vitamin toxicity include nausea, gastrointestinal problems like constipation and diarrhea, hair loss, rashes, and nerve damage.
The symptoms of a vitamin B complex overdose include excessive thirst, skin conditions, blurry vision, abdominal cramps, nausea, vomiting, increased urination, and diarrhea.
You might get frequent headaches if your vitamin B12 levels are too high. Elevated levels of this vitamin can also cause gastrointestinal problems such as diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting. You may feel tired and weak. High amounts of vitamin B12 can also cause you to feel like your hands and feet are tingling.
Consuming vitamin B-6 through food appears to be safe, even in excessive amounts. When used as a supplement in appropriate doses, vitamin B-6 is likely safe. However, taking too much vitamin B-6 from supplements can cause:A lack of muscle control or coordination of voluntary movements (ataxia)
The common forms of vitamin B include vitamin B1 (thiamine), B2 (riboflavin), B3 (niacin), B6 (pyridoxine) and B12 (cyanocobalamin). Except for niacin (when given in high doses), there is no evidence that the other B vitamins, in physiologic or even super-physiologic high doses cause liver injury or jaundice.
Taking too much can cause side effects like nausea, headache, dizziness, and in rarely, blood clots or cancer. Everyone needs vitamin B-12, and most people get enough through their diet. However, it's important to know what side effects occur when you take too much.
Researchers recently found that high levels of a common B vitamin called niacin in the body may contribute to cardiovascular disease. They saw that excess niacin can trigger vascular inflammation, which in turn may lead to atherosclerosis — or plaque buildup on artery walls.
One 2010 study found that people with diabetic nephropathy (loss of kidney function due to diabetes) experienced a more rapid decline in kidney function when supplemented with high dose B vitamins, including 1 mg per day of B12 ( 7 ).
An abnormally high vitamin B12 status is anything over 900 pg/mL . This result may suggest liver or kidney problems, diabetes, or certain forms of leukemia. Low. Levels of vitamin B12 are low if they are below 200 pg/mL .
However, taking supplements that contain excessively high and unnecessary quantities of B vitamins could lead to serious side effects. High doses of supplemental B3 (niacin) may lead to vomiting, high blood sugar levels, skin flushing, and even liver damage ( 34 ).
Patients typically experience symptoms of peripheral neuropathy, dermatoses, photosensitivity, dizziness, and nausea with long-term intake of dosages above 250 mg/day. Additional morbidity would include ataxia and dysesthesias.
Many people are not aware that vitamin B6 can cause peripheral neuropathy, which results in tingling, burning or numbness usually in the hands and feet. Taking vitamin B6 even at low doses can cause peripheral neuropathy but people are more likely to get it if they are taking more than one supplement.
Significantly exceeding this dose, however, can cause illness. In general, the symptoms of vitamin toxicity include nausea, gastrointestinal problems like constipation and diarrhea, hair loss, rashes, and nerve damage.
How could something natural be bad for your liver? In fact, some common herbs could cause toxic liver disease. Watch out for supplements that contain aloe vera, black cohosh, cascara, chaparral, comfrey, ephedra, or kava.
Nerve conduction studies on patients with confirmed vitamin B12-associated peripheral neuropathy have demonstrated severe impairment of sensory nerve conduction reflecting demyelinating disorder.
When taking a supplement, it's important not to take too much. Taking 200mg or more a day of vitamin B6 [LK2] can lead to a loss of feeling in the arms and legs known as peripheral neuropathy. This will usually improve once you stop taking the supplements.
Since B12 is a water-soluble vitamin, it's generally considered safe, even at high doses. No Tolerable Upper Intake Level (UL) has been established for B12, due to its low level of toxicity. UL refers to the maximum daily dose of a vitamin unlikely to cause adverse side effects in the general population.
Very high doses, 200 mg or more per day, of vitamin B6 can cause neurological disorders, such as loss of feeling in the legs and imbalance. Stopping high doses usually leads to a complete recovery within 6 months.
Introduction: My name is Saturnina Altenwerth DVM, I am a witty, perfect, combative, beautiful, determined, fancy, determined person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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