Posted by Cam W. on November 21, 2000, at 8:27:48
In reply to Coral-Anyone Vitamins, how much is too much?, posted by Greg on November 21, 2000, at 7:44:47
Greg - It should be okay to take extra stress vitamin - Vitamin C and the B-complex (B1, B2, B6, etc.) - with Centrum. To a reasonable point, the body excretes (pees off) any excess water soluble vitamins that the body does not use. On the other hand, you may be peeing your money down the drain by taking a stress vitamin on top of your Centrum. The extra C and Bs may help maintain replenish the mylen coating on nerves cells (which helps speed nerve conduction).
The vitamins that need to be watched are the fat soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K. These will build up in the fat tissues in the body, if taken in excess and can cause problems.
Trivia 1) In school we were told that one gram of polar bear liver can kill you because of the concetration of Vitamin A is extremely high in this organ (Hypervitaminaosis, I believe).
Trivia 2) In the 1950s rats were raised from birth with no dietary Vitamin E. These rats were lethargic and were missing patches of hair. They gave the rats Vitamin E and they recovered (surprize, surprize). This is where a lot of the hype about Vitamin E giving energy. In healthy people, taking extra probably doesn't do much.
Following these studies, some researchers attempted to replicate this using mentaly challenged children who were institutionalized. (Try to get funding for that today). The researchers found that the body conserves Vitamin E so well, that it is almost impossible to deplete it.
Hope this helps - Cam
poster:Cam W.
thread:3039
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20001117/msgs/3044.html