Multi-Vitamin Side Effects
Multi-vitamins can help ensure your body is getting the recommended daily dose of essential vitamins and minerals. But supplementing your diet with an added dose of these nutrients can bring about some distracting side effects. If you take a supplement, or are planning to incorporate a supplement into your daily diet, approach the multi-vitamin as you would any other medication.
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Benefits
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Used as a daily supplement, multi-vitamins can deliver the body an added boost of essential vitamins and minerals that offer a variety of health benefits. Vitamins A, C, E and K, along with the full line of B vitamins provide the body with needed antioxidants and immune system support that lead to healthier bones, stronger muscles and high-functioning organs and systems.
Warning
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The key to supplementing your diet with multi-vitamins is to follow instructions--those on the label and those of your physician. Multi-vitamins can interact with some medications, and they can duplicate the ingredients of supplements you are already taking, which can lead to an overdose.
If you incorporate multi-vitamins into your diet, take no more than is recommended. If the label suggests one per day, for example, don't assume that your body can handle two. Multi-vitamins are manufactured to deliver a precise amount of vitamins and minerals to your body, based on absorption rates. -
Side Effects
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The most common side effects of taking multi-vitamins range from an upset stomach to headaches. However, allergic reactions can result. Patients who experience swelling of the tongue, lips, throat or face should discontinue use and seek medical attention immediately. Also, a skin rash, difficulty breathing or an outbreak of hives may indicate a possible allergic reaction.
Because multi-vitamins also contain minerals (zinc, iron, potassium, magnesium and calcium, among others), patients may experience mild side effects, like stains on teeth and increased urination. Excessive mineral intake may also result in more severe side effects, such as stomach bleeding, weakness of the muscles, confusion or an erratic heart rate.
Overdose Symptoms
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Symptoms of an overdose of vitamins A, D, E and K (all of which are usually included in a multi-vitamin) can be particularly severe or even life-threatening. These include weight loss, muscle and or joint pain, constipation, hair loss, severe back pain, blood in urine, bleeding or bruising easily, peeling skin, severe headaches and loss of appetite. These may present themselves in a matter of days or over time, so be aware of any changes that come about while taking multi-vitamins.
Considerations
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If you are taking prescription medication, check with your physician before adding a multi-vitamin supplement to your daily diet. Several medications, including heart and blood pressure medicine, diuretics and others, can interact with multi-vitamins.
NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) containing ibuprofen (Advil and Motrin, for example) and naproxen (Naprosyn and Aleve) should also be avoided when taking multi-vitamins. Other drugs that may cause an interaction include etodolac (Lodine), ketoprofen (Orudis), indomethacin (Indocin) and diclofenac (Voltaren and Cataflam).
Instructions
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Vitamin tablets and capsules should be taken with a full glass of water and with food. Liquid vitamins can be mixed with water or juice, but never with milk or other dairy products.
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