MODERATION IN ALL THINGS: Taking excessive supplements could be bad for your health (Image: Getty)
Dietary supplements provide many benefits, but a neurologist has said that excessive use could be ‘toxic’ to the brain. Many people rely on these daily supplements to ensure they get enough vitamins and minerals in their diet.
Others struggle to absorb these vital nutrients from food alone and need extra assistance. However, the expert cautioned that not adhering to recommended doses of these tablets could ‘harm’ your brain and nervous system.
With this in mind, the specialist pinpointed three supplements that could damage the brain if taken in excess. Speaking through social media platform TikTok, neurologist Doctor Baibing Chen – known online as Dr Bing – warned people against taking ‘too much’ of these specific supplements, reports the Mirror.
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Zinc: Dr Bing explained that this mineral is frequently taken as a supplement to strengthen immune function and prevent colds. He said: “It’s found in multivitamins, lozenges, and even some over-the-counter cold remedies.
“Now, zinc is essential for our bodies and can be found in multiple food sources. But the problem is when people take supplements daily for months, they can easily go over the safe limit.”
Dr Bing has warned that consuming too much zinc can interfere with copper absorption. He clarified: “Copper is essential for your nervous system. And, low copper levels can cause something called myeloneuropathy, which is damage to the spinal cord and your peripheral nerves, leading to things like numbness, tingling and trouble walking. And I’ve seen several cases of this where people come in with progressive weakness and sensory loss due to copper deficiency from long-term zinc overuse.”
The NHS also warns that high doses of zinc can reduce the body’s ability to absorb copper. “This can lead to anaemia and weakening of the bones,” it states. As a result, the Department of Health and Social Care recommends not taking more than 25mg of zinc supplements daily unless advised to by a doctor.
Vitamin A: Also known as retinol, Vitamin A plays several crucial roles within the body. These include strengthening your body’s natural defences against illness and infection, aiding vision in dim light conditions, and keeping skin healthy.
Dr Bing explained: “Vitamin A is fat soluble which means that it stores in your liver and it can accumulate over time. Too much of this can lead to a condition called pseudotumor cerebri, which is increased pressure in the brain that mimics a brain tumour, causing headaches, blurred vision, and even permanent vision loss.”
The NHS has issued a warning: “If you take a supplement that contains vitamin A, do not take too much because this could be harmful.”
Pregnant women are also advised to avoid vitamin A supplements unless specifically recommended by their GP. According to the health service, consuming an average of 1.5mg daily or less of vitamin A through food and supplements combined is ‘unlikely to cause any harm’.
Vitamin D: This vital vitamin is key in maintaining healthy bones and muscles. Most of our vitamin D intake comes from exposure to sunlight. In the UK, the Government advises taking a vitamin D supplement daily during the autumn and winter months. However, caution is needed regarding the amount consumed.
“Taking too high doses of vitamin D can cause calcium to build up in your blood, which can affect the brain, leading to symptoms like confusion, fatigue, depression, and sometimes even psychosis,” warned Dr Bing.
The NHS further clarifies: “Taking too many vitamin D supplements over a long period of time can cause too much calcium to build up in the body (hypercalcaemia). This can weaken the bones and damage the kidneys and the heart.
“If you choose to take vitamin D supplements, 10 micrograms a day will be enough for most people.” The health authority warns not to exceed 100 micrograms (4,000 IU) of vitamin D daily, as it could ‘be harmful’.
Dr Bing concludes: “So while these vitamins and minerals are essential for our bodies to function, moderation is key, like almost everything else in life, and more is not always better.”
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