Vitamins are good for you, so it stands to reason that getting all the vitamins you can everyday is the best course of action. As a general rule, it’s true that choosing foods rich in vitamins is a good idea. But there are times when more isn’t better, even when it comes to vitamins.
The first thing to keep in mind is that several vitamins have toxic levels. In other words, there is a point at which consuming more vitamins is not only unhelpful, it can be dangerous.
Vitamin K helps the body clot blood. If you get a cut, your blood’s natural tendency to clot will keep you from bleeding to death. But there are some people who have blood that clots too readily, or who have health issues that require thinner blood. Some people with specific types of heart problems may actually be on medication designed to thin the blood. Doctors may also prescribe a blood thinner for a patient getting ready for some types of surgeries. If thinning the blood is your doctor’s goal, taking a Vitamin K supplement or eating foods that are particularly rich in Vitamin K may be dangerous.
If you’re taking an aspirin each day, your body may be experiencing a Vitamin C deficiency. Studies have indicated that Vitamin C is typically absorbed by blood cells, but aspirin in the system may block this normal absorption action.
If you need more iron in your body, you may want to consider increasing the amount of Vitamin C in your daily food intake. It seems that having enough Vitamin C in your system makes your body more readily absorb iron, tackling that anemia problem more quickly than taking iron alone.
If you’re taking antibiotics, particularly over a long period of time, your body may have trouble absorbing sufficient amounts of Vitamin A. If you’re taking drugs to lower your cholesterol, you may also experience Vitamin A deficiency.
Vitamin E and Zinc work hand-in-hand. If your body has lower-than-normal levels of Zinc, you may also have a Vitamin E deficiency, even if you’re eating healthy. Vitamins C and E also work together.
There are a number of other interactions that can occur between vitamins, or between vitamins and other conditions, minerals and drugs. Remember that it is possible to overdose on some vitamins, and some can cause serious problems with medication, diet and existing health problems. It’s best to talk to a health care professional before you start or alter your daily diet or vitamin intake.