stanwyck@ihuxr.UUCP (12/08/83)
First, I am not a doctor, not a nutritionist, nor a recognized expert in any related field. I only can relate what I have read. Re: Overdoses of Vitamin C Megadoses of vitamin C can be very harmful to your health. As your body works to get rid of the excess C, it also removes some B vit- amins and ketones from your system. This can cause B vitamin defi- ciencies, and ketone shortage related problems. If you insist on taking mega-C, make sure you also take a B-complex or two, and drink LOTS of H2O. (It helps to flush out the excess.) Re: Overdoses of B vitamins I don't remember the specifics here, but I remember that many of the same problems occur - loss of ketones and related matters. Again, the warning to balance your vitamin intake, and drink lots of water to aid in the removal of the excess water-soluble vitamins is to be heeded. Finally, a repeat of the disclaimer on this info - I only recall what I have read. I am not an expert on these matters, and all such matters should be discussed with those who have sought to become knowledgable in such topics. (That does not include the numerous quacks who call themselves nutritionists but have no formal training or science background, nor those who hold an M.D. and think that makes them an expert on every topic related to the human body.) -- ________ ( ) Don Stanwyck @( o o )@ 312-979-3062 ( || ) Cornet-367-3062 ( \__/ ) ihnp4!ihuxr!stanwyck (______) Bell Labs @ Naperville, IL
dbb@fluke.UUCP (Dave Bartley) (12/15/83)
"Some nutritionists are saying that high intakes of vitamin C may create a greater need for the vitamin. The body thus becomes conditioned to expect a greater amount, and if intake is suddenly cut back, a deficiency can result. One concern is that pregnant women who consume large doses of the vitamin may transmit a higher-than-normal requirement for it to infants... Meanwhile, other researchers have provided leads that high vitamin C intake can cause kidney stones as well as interfere with vitamin B12 metabolism. "A recent report documenting the effects of megadoses of pyridoxine (vitamin B6) on 5 women and 2 men is also quite sobering. The 7 cases featured serious neurological problems. In one case, a woman who began megadosing on her own to treat edema during pregnancy experienced numbness in her arms and legs, had difficulty handling objects, lost her reflexes, and became so unsteady at walking that she was forced to use a cane. All of the patients in the case reports improved following withdrawal of the vitamin; two who were followed for 2 to 3 years have almost completely recovered. "It should be noted that these individuals were taking large doses of pyridoxine -- 1,000 to 2,700 times the RDA -- some for as long as three years. In other words, they were not typical of most people who take vitamin supplements. But for the substantial number of people who do take large doses, the reports warn there are limits to the body's ability to tolerate massive amounts of even water-soluble vitamins." From the newsletter of a Seattle-area health maintenance organization (without permission). They, in turn, offer as reference: New England Journal of Medicine; August 15, 1983; pps 445-448; 448-490. -- Dave Bartley John Fluke Mfg Co, Inc, Everett, WA 98206 _____________________________________________ ucbvax!lbl-csam , decvax!microsof , uw-beaver \ allegra!uw-beaver , ihnp4!uw-beaver , ssc-vax >!fluke!dbb