Many vitamins can be toxic at high levels. Fat soluble vitamins such as A, D, E and k are often more harmful than water
soluble ones (vitamin C, Bs) as they are stored in adipose tissue and can build up over time, causing toxicity. However
water soluble vitamins can cause problems when taken in excess. Schwartz says she’s seen many well-intention-ed
patients harm themselves in their quest to improve their health, “I have had several patients come to see me for
digestive issues like abdominal cramping and diarrhea and when I reviewed their diets, medications and supplements,
it was discovered that they were taking high doses of Vitamin C. I have had patients with cognitive impairment
that accidentally over dosed on Vitamin C or other vitamins and minerals as they had forgotten they had already taken
them, only for their caregivers to discover they had finished a whole bottle of the supplements in a few days.
Also, it’s important to note that the liver and kidney are the organs that metabolize most vitamins and minerals,
so when you ingest large volumes of these, you are asking these organs to work harder than usual. Taxing these
organs over long periods of time can be detrimental, especially in those with preexisting kidney or liver issues. And
occupying the kidney or liver with metabolizing these supplements can deter them fr
om doing other important tasks, like metabolizing important medications.”
