Vitamin b complex can you overdose

As the building blocks of a healthy body, B vitamins have a direct impact on your energy levels, brain function, and cell metabolism. B vitamins are especially important for women who are pregnant and breastfeeding. These vitamins aid in fetal brain development as well as reduce the risk of birth defects. And for expectant mothers, B vitamins may boost energy levels, ease nausea, and lower the risk of developing preeclampsia. B vitamins are thought to increase testosterone levels in men, which naturally decrease with age.

They may also help men build muscle and increase strength. However, human studies confirming these claims are lacking. The recommended daily amount of each B vitamin varies. Older adults and women who are pregnant require higher amounts of B vitamins. Your doctor can provide dosage information tailored to your individual needs. Certain underlying health conditions can prevent your body from properly absorbing vitamin B. You should also talk to your doctor about your vitamin B intake if you have:.

Most people get enough B vitamins by eating a balanced diet. Your doctor can make a diagnosis and advise you on any next steps. Vitamin B deficiency, in particular, may increase your risk of neuropsychiatric disorders.

Researchers are also investigating its role in hyperhomocysteinemia and atherosclerosis. Babies born to women who were deficient in folic acid during pregnancy are more likely to have birth defects.

Lots of foods contain B vitamins, which makes it easy to get enough from your diet. If your doctor has recommended that you increase your intake of a specific B vitamin, check out these curated food lists:.

Most people get enough B vitamins through their diet. Your diet is also the best way for your body to get these vitamins. Food and Drug Administration, so you should only buy from a trusted, reputable brand. Your doctor may be able to recommend a specific brand to consider. You should always read all labels carefully and follow any directions given by the manufacturer. If you have questions about the dosage, talk to your doctor.

Taking too much vitamin B complex long-term can lead to nerve damage. Riboflavin, or vitamin B2, is important for healthy skin, hair, blood and your brain.

Good dietary sources are milk, eggs, organ meats, green vegetables and fortified foods. The RDA for riboflavin is 1. Supplements often contain 25 to milligrams , but your body can't absorb more than about 27 milligrams at a time. You'll know if you've taken more riboflavin than necessary because you'll experience bright yellow urine , which is just surplus vitamin B2.

Read more: Treatment for a Riboflavin Deficiency. Niacin, or vitamin B3, helps your body metabolize carbs, fats and proteins for energy.

Good food sources are animal proteins, fish, mushrooms, potatoes and legumes. The RDA for niacin is 16 milligrams for adult men and 14 milligrams for women.

Overdosing on niacin from over-the-counter or prescription medications may cause toxicity if you exceed the recommended upper limits — 30 milligrams for teens and 35 milligrams for adults.

Supplements typically contain 20 to milligrams per tablet. The two main forms of supplemental niacin are nicotinic acid and nicotinamide.

Niacin supplements with 30 milligrams or more of nicotinic acid can cause the skin on your face, arms and chest to turn red and burn, tingle or itch and can also induce headaches and dizziness.

With daily doses of 1, milligrams or more of nicotinic acid , serious symptoms may develop including:. However, at high doses of to 3, milligrams or more per day, nicotinamide can cause :.

Pantothenic acid, or vitamin B5, is necessary for producing blood cells, balancing glucose levels, managing cholesterol and helping your skin. Foods containing pantothenic acid include animal protein, eggs, milk, mushrooms, whole grains and nuts.

The recommended adequate intake for vitamin B5 is 5 milligrams. Dietary supplements typically range from about 10 milligrams in multivitamin products to up to 1, milligrams in individual supplements of vitamin B5. Pantothenic acid is considered safe, but very high doses, such as 10, milligrams a day , can cause:. Vitamin B6, or pyridoxine , is essential for protein metabolism, the health of your brain and production of hormones.

Vitamin B6 is found in meat, fish, potatoes, grains and fruit other than citrus. The recommended daily allowance for adults ages 19 to 50 years of age is 1.

For ages 51 and older, it's 1. The upper limit for vitamin B6 long-term is 80 milligrams for teens and milligrams for age 19 and older. As with other B vitamins, high intakes from food sources have not been reported to cause symptoms of toxicity.

Supplements typically range from a dosage of 5 to milligrams per tablet. The National Institutes of Health warns that a daily intake of 1 to 6 grams of vitamin B6 for 12 to 40 months can result in symptoms of:. The severity of symptoms is dose dependent and often disappears when the supplement is discontinued. Folic acid, sometimes called vitamin B9 , is vital for cell creation and helps prevent birth defects when taken before and during pregnancy. You can get folate from consuming beef liver, spinach, asparagus and fortified grains.

The RDA for folic acid is micrograms for age 14 years and older. Another common side effect of vitamin B overdose is gastrointestinal problems. When a higher dose of vitamin B is taken, people may suffer from indigestion, nausea or mild diarrhea. People with a prior history of gastrointestinal problems and aged individuals are more likely to suffer from intense stomach cramps and severe diarrhea after taking high doses of vitamin B. An overdose of vitamin B can initiate or worsen the existing problem of insomnia.

When the dose of B vitamins exceeds the normal requirement, it can interfere with the normal sleep cycle. High doses of B complex vitamins particularly vitamin B12 in the blood acts as an energy booster. Hence, a sudden rise in energy levels can affect normal sleep patterns and leads to insomnia. In rare cases, people who take high doses of vitamin B for a long period of time may experience extreme numbness or a tingling sensation.

In some patients, tingling sensation is experienced mostly in the right side of the body. This symptom is one of the early warning indicators of Vitamin B12 overdose. One of the other side effects of vitamin B overdose is hypertension or hypotension. When the amount of vitamin B1, also known as thiamine exceeds the normal levels in the body, it can cause hypertension or high blood pressure.