Vitamin supplements can be poisonous: Experts
abu dhabi — Doctors in the UAE are urging people to be cautious when buying multivitamins, warning that over-the-counter supplements can be harmful and an overdose can lead to depression, vision disturbance, internal bleeding and even life-threatening diseases.
Dr Shabeer Nellikode, founder, managing director and neurologist, Universal Hospitals and Clinics, told Khaleej Times that multivitamins and supplements “can be as poisonous as poison itself ”.
“There are many myths about vitamin supplements and people think that it is better to take supplements instead of getting the vitamins. They think that by taking more multivitamins, their health will improve.
“The bottom line is that multivitamins are essential, but if it is not taken properly, it is like a poison.”
He pointed out that the fastpaced environment that we live in today is leading more people to taking supplements, instead of relying on a healthy diet.
“We live in a very stressful environment and people don’t find time to focus on a balanced diet, so they do not only forget to eat on time, but also forget about eating at all.”
Dr Nellikode stressed that those who are vitamin-deficient must be careful when taking and mixing their supplements.
“There are a lot of dangers about multivitamins that people are unaware of. For example, if you’re taking a multivitamin product with iron and then take another multivitamin, it can be extremely dangerous and lead to toxicity.
“Iron deficiency can cause a lot of life-threatening issues, but at the same time, a high dosage can also cause harm. Taking antibiotics and multivitamins together is also dan- gerous,” he added. Moreover, he said that although Vitamin A is essential for a good eyesight, overdosing on it can cause vision disturbance and breathing disorders.
Exceeding the body’s Vitamin K requirement can also cause serious complications, including internal bleeding, and it can affect the liver, said Dr Nellikode.
Dr Igbal Mubarak Sirag, an internal medicine specialist, Bareen International Hospital — MBZ City, said anyone who takes vitamin supplements should be under a doctor’s supervision and should only take the supplements “after a thorough medical investigation”.
“I encourage people to eat a healthy diet, instead of relying on vitamin supplements,” she said.
“Vitamin supplements should only be given to people with diseases, or those who don’t have an appetite and cannot absorb vitamins through food.”
Dr Sirag said Vitamin D and B are the most common vitamins that UAE residents are not getting enough of.
“Around 90 per cent of the UAE population suffer from Vitamin D deficiency,” she added.
Dr Mourad Habib Kirollos, staff physician for family medicine, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi – Al Ain, said people often think that the supplements they purchase over the counter — from grocery stores, health shops or pharmacies — have the same benefits as those prescribed by a doctor. This, he said, is a myth.
He warned that the benefits of many over-the-counter vitamin supplements are, in fact, destroyed due to incorrect storage and improper handling.
“Many people assume that if it is a multivitamin from the pharmacy, then it is well regulated — but it is not. Over-the-counter supplements don’t follow the same standards of regulations as the ones prescribed by doctors.”
Iron deficiency can cause a lot of lifethreatening issues, but at the same time, a high dosage can also cause harm.”
Dr Shabeer Nellikode, founder, Universal Hospitals and Clinics
Vitamin supplements should only be given to people with diseases, or those who don’t have an appetite.”
Dr Igbal Mubarak Sirag, specialist internal medicine, Bareen Int’l Hospital
Many people assume that if it is a multi-vitamin from the pharmacy then it is well regulated. But it is not.”
Dr Mourad Habib Kirollos, staff physician, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi — Al Ain