Canadian Doctors Warn Residents About Negative Effect Of Excessive Vitamin Intake

February 2, 2010 7:25 a.m. EST

Ottawa, Ontario, Canada (AHN) - Doctors from children's hospitals in several Canadian provinces have warned of the side effects of excessive intake of vitamins.

One of the vitamins they cited is Vitamin A. When taken in high doses or used chronically in an improper way, it could lead to liver damage. Excessive amounts of Vitamins C may cause hardening of arteries. Some vitamins, when combined with painkiller Ibuprofen, affect blood-clotting ability.

Because of these findings, published in The Annals of Pharmacotherapy, the physicians recommended the exclusion of Vitamin A as an ingredient of multivitamins. Aside from liver damage, too much Vitamin A may also cause birth defects.

The doctors said five vitamins must be treated like drugs in terms of regulation of sale and intake. These are Vitamins A, E, D, folic acid and niacin.

Health Canada last week issued an advisory against certain natural health products with glucomannan, which may cause serious choking if taken with not enough fluids. The warning covers health products in tablet, capsule of powder form with glucomannan. Takers of such products should drink at least eight ounces of water or liquid.

Health Canada also cautioned residents about taking products with glucomannan as ingredient, before sleeping. Glucomannan is used in products for appetite reduction, weight management, treatment of constipation and management of cholesterol levels.