Overdosng On Antioxidants

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Overdosng On Antioxidants

Megadoses of vitamins may not cure what ails you after all. In fact, they

may be harmful to your health, according to a report from the Institute of

Medicine, the branch of the National Academy of Sciences that is responsible

for setting the recommended daily allowance (RDA) of nutrients. In the

report, Institute of Medicine researchers say that while studies have shown

a possible link between the antioxidants found in some vitamins and a lower

risk of some diseases, there is not enough proof to justify taking hefty

doses of antioxidant supplements. They say most Americans can get all the

nutrients they need for good health from diet alone, without taking

supplements. They also warn that overdosing on some nutrients can cause

health problems. For example, more than 2,000 mg of vitamin C can cause

diarrhea, more than 1,000 mg of vitamin E can raise a person's risk of

stroke and uncontrolled hemorrhage, and more than 400 micrograms of the

mineral selenium can cause a toxic r!

eaction called selenosis. The

Institute of Medicine set new dietary guidelines for these three nutrients:

Women should consume 75 mg of vitamin C a day, whereas men should consume 90

mg and smokers of either sex should consume an extra 35 mg. Both men and

women should consume 22 International Units of vitamin E and 55 micrograms

of selenium a day, according to the Institute's guidelines.

For more on nutrition, go to:

http://www.intelihealth.com/IH/ihtIH/EMIHC000/325/325.html