Vital signs

Intro: Though beneficial for the body, excessive vitamin intake can create several problems. You! takes a look at the benefits and side effects of a few vitamins...

Vitamins are vital for the growth of human body. They are also essential in maintaining good health. Keeping this in mind, health experts urge people to take a prescribed amount of vitamins everyday, either incorporated in their meals or taken as supplements. However, due to the varied range of preferences in food and a number of women opting for weight reduction diet plans, they are now misusing supplements by relying on them for the provision of required vitamins. But excess of vitamins is bad for one's health. One needs to take balanced diet and vitamins. Read on to find out the pros and corns of vitamins:

Vitamin A

Naturally vitamin A is found in many fruits, vegetables, eggs, whole milk, butter, fortified margarine, meat, and oily saltwater fish. 

Vitamin A is required for the proper development and functioning of our eyes, skin, immune system, and many other parts of our bodies. The advantages are:

1 Reduces complications of diseases such as malaria, HIV and measles

2 Improves vision and treats eye disorders including age-related macular degeneration (AMD), and cataracts

3 Beneficial for various skin conditions. 

4 Women use vitamin A for heavy menstrual periods, premenstrual syndrome (PMS). It also raises the male sperm count. 

5 Prevents and treats cancer and protects the heart and cardiovascular system

Side effects of Vitamin A supplements

Having over 10,000 units of vitamin A per day might do more harm than good. Symptoms of overdose include low grade fever, dry skin, sore mouth, bleeding gums, drowsiness, diarrhea and severe vomiting. Long term effects include hair loss, headaches, yellow pigmentation, continuous fatigue, irritability, mental changes, anorexia, excessive sweating and liver damage. Higher doses can also increase the risk of osteoporosis and hip fracture, particularly in older people and women who have passed menopause. Pregnant women must remember to monitor their intake of vitamin A from all sources during the first three months of pregnancy to avoid birth defects. 

Vitamin C

Naturally vitamin C can be found in fresh fruits, especially citrus fruits and vegetables

Vitamin C is required for the proper development and function of many parts of the body. The advantages are:

1 Prevents and treats the common cold

2 Reduces risk of gum disease, cancer, stomach ulcers, tuberculosis, dysentery (an infection of the lower intestine), and skin infections that produce boils (furunculosis). 

3 Prevents cartilage loss and worsening of symptoms in people with osteoarthritis.

Side effects of Vitamin C supplements

Though recommended by many doctors nowadays, an overdose of this vitamin (amounts higher than 2000 mg per day) can prove injurious to health as it can cause kidney stones and severe diarrhea. In some people, vitamin C causes nausea, vomiting, heartburn, stomach cramps, headache, and other side effects. Avoid taking supplements containing vitamin C or other antioxidant vitamins immediately before and following angioplasty without the supervision of a health care professional as they interfere with the healing process.

Vitamin D

Naturally Vitamin D is found in foods, including fatty fish such as herring, mackerel, sardines and tuna.

Vitamin D is required for the regulation of minerals, calcium and phosphorus found in the body. The advantages of are:

1 Prevents and treats osteoporosis, bone pain (osteomalacia), bone loss (hyperparathyroidism) and an inherited disease (osteogenesis imperfecta) in which the bones are especially brittle and easily broken.

2 Helps in conditions of the heart and blood vessels, including high blood pressure and high cholesterol.

3 Aids in curing conditions caused by low levels of phosphorous and low levels of calcium 

Side effects of Vitamin D supplements

This particular vitamin is the only one sythesised in the body with the help of UV rays from the sun, however its supplements are also available to cover up any deficiencies. Vitamin D supplements may be necessary for older people, the population living in northern latitudes, and dark-skinned people who need extra time in the sun but don't get it. Some side effects of taking too much vitamin D (doses higher than 4000 units per day) include weakness, fatigue, sleepiness, headache, loss of appetite, dry mouth, metallic taste, nausea, vomiting, and excessively high levels of calcium in the blood. It also increases the risk of 'hardening of the arteries' in people with a serious kidney disease. Excessive use of this vitamin is known to cause hypercalcemia with metastatic calcification in the kidney and blood vessels. 

Vitamin E

Naturally vitamin E is found in many foods including vegetable oils, cereals, meat, poultry, eggs, fruits, vegetables, and wheat germ oil. 

Vitamin E is required for the proper function of many organs in the body. The advantages are:

* Treats and prevents chest pain, leg pain due to blocked arteries, and high blood pressure.

* Contributes to the cure of male infertility.

* Used for diseases of the brain and nervous system including, Parkinson's disease, night cramps and epilepsy. 

* Prevents complications in painful periods, menopausal syndrome.

Side effects of Vitamin E supplements

Vitamin E is healthy when taken by mouth or applied to the skin and most people do not experience any side effects by consuming the recommended daily dose of 15 mg. A high dosage, however, might increase the chance of having a serious stroke called the hemorrhagic stroke. There is contradictory information about the effect of vitamin E on the chance of developing prostate cancer. High doses can also cause nausea, diarrhea, stomach cramps, fatigue, weakness, headache, blurred vision, rash, and bruising and bleeding. Also, vitamin E might increase the risk of bleeding during and after surgery, so stop its intake at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery.

Instructions for use

Remember that vitamins, minerals and other supplements aren't regulated in the same way as prescription drugs. They are designed for people with a deficiency, not people who consume ample vitamins through their diet. If you are planning to use vitamin supplements, make sure you investigate possible benefits as well as potential side effects that can occur. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, use extreme caution when adding supplements to your diet. Consult your physician or pharmacist if you have a chronic mental or physical health condition.