Risks of taking vitamins without a doctor’s appointment

Risks of taking vitamins without a doctor’s appointment: comprehensive analysis

Vitamins: Organic compounds necessary for maintaining life, playing a critical role in metabolic processes, growth and development. Without a sufficient amount of vitamins, the normal functioning of the body becomes impossible, which can lead to various diseases and pathological conditions. However, despite their vital importance, an uncontrolled taking vitamins, especially without consulting a doctor, carries a number of significant risks that must be carefully examined.

I. Hypervitaminosis: when “too much” becomes a problem.

Hypervitaminosis is a condition that occurs as a result of excessive intake of vitamins into the body. Although the deficiency of vitamins attracts more attention, an overdose can be equally, and sometimes more dangerous than the disadvantage. The risk of developing hypervitaminosis depends on the type of vitamin, dose, duration of administration and individual characteristics of the body. Vitamins are divided into two main groups: fat -soluble and water -soluble.

A. fat -soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K): increased risk of accumulation.

Fat -soluble vitamins are absorbed in the intestines along with fats and accumulated in adipose tissue and liver. This property makes them more prone to overdose, since they are not excreted in the urine as easily as water -soluble vitamins.

1. Vitamin A (Retinol): Excess vitamin A can lead to:

   • Acute toxicity: Headache, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, blurry vision, loss of coordination, drowsiness, irritability, and, in severe cases, coma.
   • Chronic toxicity: Dryness of the skin and mucous membranes, hair loss, skin itching, bone pain and joints, enlargement of the liver and spleen (hepatosterogalia), anemia, an increase in intracranial pressure (brain pseudo -puhlet), congenital defects in the fetus during pregnancy (teratogenic effect). Pregnant women should avoid taking high doses of vitamin A, especially in the first trimester.
   • Osteoporosis: The chronic use of high doses of vitamin A can increase the risk of osteoporosis and bone fractures.
   • Improving the level of lipids in the blood: Hypervitaminosis and can lead to an increase in the level of cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood, increasing the risk of cardiovascular diseases.
   • Interaction with drugs: Vitamin A can interact with some drugs such as retinoids (used to treat acne), enhancing their side effects.

2. Vitamin D (calciferol): An overdose of vitamin D can cause:

   • Hypercalcemia: An increased level of calcium in the blood, leading to nausea, vomiting, weakness, constipation, bone pain, disorientation, renal failure, calcification of soft tissues (including heart and kidneys), and, in severe cases, coma.
   • Renal failure: Long -term hypercalcemia can lead to irreversible damage to the kidneys and renal failure.
   • Cardiovascular problems: Vascular calcification can increase the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases, such as atherosclerosis and arterial hypertension.
   • Kidneys: Hypercalcemia increases the risk of kidney stones.
   • Weakness and fatigue: Even a moderate excess of vitamin D can cause general weakness, fatigue and decrease in performance.

3. Vitamin E (Tokoferol): Although vitamin E is considered relatively safe, high doses can lead to:

   • Increased risk of bleeding: Vitamin E has anticoagulant properties and can increase the risk of bleeding, especially in people who take anticoagulants (for example, warfarin) or antiporlates (for example, aspirin).
   • Violation of blood coagulation: High doses of vitamin E can disrupt the blood coagulation process, which can be dangerous before operations or during injuries.
   • Gastrointestinal disorders: Nausea, diarrhea, abdominal pain.
   • Muscle weakness: In rare cases, high doses of vitamin E can cause muscle weakness and fatigue.

4. Vitamin K (Fillokhinon, Menakhinon): The toxicity of vitamin K is rare, but high doses of synthetic forms (for example, Menadion) can cause:

   • Hemolytic anemia: The destruction of red blood cells, especially in newborns. Menadion is contraindicated in newborns.
   • Jaundice: The increased level of bilirubin in the blood, leading to yellowness of the skin and sclera.
   • Disorders of the liver function: In rare cases, high doses of vitamin K can disrupt the liver function.
   • Interaction with anticoagulants: Vitamin K plays an important role in blood coagulation and can reduce the effectiveness of anticoagulants, such as warfarin.

B. Water-soluble vitamins (B-complex, C): less risk of accumulation, but not without risks.

Water -soluble vitamins do not accumulate in the body in such large quantities as fat -soluble, since excesses are excreted in the urine. However, even an excess of water -soluble vitamins can cause side effects.

1. Vitamin C (ascorbic acid): Excess vitamin C can lead to:

   • Gastrointestinal disorders: Diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain.
   • The formation of kidney stones: High doses of vitamin C can increase the level of oxalates in the urine, increasing the risk of kidney stones.
   • Increased assimilation of iron: Vitamin C improves iron absorption, which can lead to overloading with iron (hemochromatosis) in people predisposed to this disease.
   • False positive results of blood sugar: Vitamin C can affect the results of some blood sugar tests.

2. B vitamins B: Each vitamin B has its own specific risks for an overdose.

   • Vitamin B3 (Niacin): High doses can cause redness of the skin (niacin -rope), itching, nausea, vomiting, impaired liver function and increasing blood sugar.
   • Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxin): Long -term intake of high doses can lead to neuropathy (damage to nerves), characterized by numbness and tingling in the limbs, as well as a violation of coordination.
   • Vitamin B9 (folic acid): Although folic acid is generally considered safe, high doses can mask vitamin B12 deficiency and worsen neurological symptoms associated with this deficit. Also, folic acid can interact with some drugs, for example, with antiepileptic drugs.
   • Vitamin B12 (cobalamin): An overdose of vitamin B12 is rare, but in some cases it can cause allergic reactions.

II. Interaction with drugs: a dangerous cocktail.

Vitamins can interact with various drugs, changing their effectiveness or increasing their side effects. It is important to remember that vitamins are not harmless additives, but substances that can have a significant effect on the body.

• Anticoagulants (warfarin, heparin): Vitamins E and K can interact with anticoagulants, changing their effectiveness. Vitamin E can enhance the anticoagulant effect, increasing the risk of bleeding, and vitamin K can reduce the effectiveness of anticoagulants.
• Antibiotics: Some vitamins, such as vitamin C, can affect the effectiveness of antibiotics.
• Broadcasting tablets: Some vitamins, such as vitamin B6, can reduce the effectiveness of contraceptives.
• Cholesterol Medicines (Statini): High doses of niacin (vitamin B3) can enhance the side effects of statins, such as muscle damage (myopathy).
• Antiepileptic drugs: Folic acid can interact with some anti -epileptic drugs, changing their effectiveness.
• Cancer treatment drugs (chemotherapy): Some antioxidants, such as vitamin C and vitamin E, can interact with chemotherapeutic drugs, reducing their effectiveness.

III. Masks of serious diseases: a false sense of well -being.

Taking vitamins without prescribing a doctor can disguise the symptoms of serious diseases, postponing timely diagnosis and treatment. For example, taking folic acid can mask vitamin B12 deficiency, which can lead to irreversible damage to the nervous system. Taking vitamins, a person can feel better, but at the same time the underlying disease continues to progress.

IV. Poor additives: the risk of taking “dummies” or hazardous substances.

The market for vitamins and food additives is not always strictly regulated, which creates a risk of acquiring low -quality products. Some additives may contain:

• Incorrect dosage: The dosage of vitamins in addition may differ from the label indicated on the label.
• Pollution: Addments may contain harmful impurities, such as heavy metals, pesticides or other toxic substances.
• Lack of active ingredients: Some additives may not contain declared vitamins at all.
• Surrounded ingredients: Additives may contain substances that are not indicated on the label that may be harmful to health.

The acquisition of vitamins from reliable manufacturers and in pharmacies, where strict quality control is carried out, helps to reduce the risk of low -quality products.

V. The individual characteristics of the body: what is suitable for one, does not fit the other.

The need for vitamins varies depending on the age, gender, state of health, lifestyle and other factors. What is a safe and useful dose for one person can be harmful to another.

• Pregnancy and breastfeeding: During pregnancy and breastfeeding, the need for some vitamins increases significantly, but an overdose of certain vitamins can be dangerous for the mother and child.
• Diseases: Some diseases, such as diseases of the liver, kidneys or gastrointestinal tract, can affect the absorption and metabolism of vitamins.
• Age: The need for vitamins is changing with age. For example, older people may need more vitamin D and B12.
• Medicines: Taking drugs may affect the need for vitamins or increase the risk of deficiency.

VI. Unreasonable use of high doses: myths about “supervitamins”.

There is a common opinion that taking high doses of vitamins can improve health, increase immunity or prevent diseases. However, scientific studies do not confirm most of these statements. Taking high doses of vitamins, as a rule, does not bring additional benefits and may be harmful to health.

VII. False hope for healing: rejection of traditional treatment.

Some people believe that vitamins can replace the traditional treatment of diseases. This can lead to the rejection of the necessary medical care and the progression of the disease. Vitamins can be a useful addition to traditional treatment, but they should not replace it.

VIII. Allergic reactions: individual intolerance.

Like any other substances, vitamins can cause allergic reactions in some people. Allergic reactions can appear in the form of a skin rash, itching, urticaria, Quincke’s edema or anaphylactic shock.

IX. Economic costs: a waste of money.

Reception of vitamins without a doctor’s prescription may be an empty waste of money. If a person does not have a deficiency of vitamins, then taking the additives will not bring any benefit. Moreover, an uncontrolled technique of vitamins can lead to additional costs for the treatment of side effects and complications associated with an overdose.

X. lack of evidence base: speculation and unproven statements.

Many applications for the benefits of vitamins are based on speculation and unproven allegations. Before taking any vitamin additives, you need to familiarize yourself with the results of scientific research and consult a doctor.

In conclusion:

Reception of vitamins is a serious solution that requires a deliberate approach and consultation with a doctor. An uncontrolled intake of vitamins can be not only useless, but also harmful to health. It is important to remember that vitamins are not a panacea from all diseases, and they should be used only as prescribed by the doctor and in accordance with his recommendations. A healthy lifestyle, a balanced diet and regular medical examinations are the key to good health and good health.