Dietary supplements are meant to support health, so it may come as a surprise that some can lead to a type of poisoning if taken in excessive amounts, especially in children.<\/p>\n
Most people don\u2019t suspect an over-the-counter product can cause an overdose, says Dr. Ashely Alker, an emergency medicine physician in Fredericksburg, Virginia.<\/p>\n
But in her new book, \u201c99 Ways to Die: And How to Avoid Them<\/a>,\u201d she highlights the dangers of a mineral that\u2019s a common ingredient in some multivitamins.<\/p>\n Expert Tip of the Day: Be Careful With Supplements Containing Iron<\/p>\n Iron can be harmful in large amounts and is particularly dangerous for children, according to the National Library of Medicine<\/a>.<\/p>\n Most people who take iron get it in a multivitamin or in women’s prenatal vitamins, which can be in the form of gummies that look and taste delicious, Alker said.<\/p>\n \u201cThat’s very dangerous for young kids, especially because they don’t need very much to overdose,\u201d Alker previously told TODAY.com.<\/p>\n \u201cFor babies, infants, toddlers and kids, if they eat a handful of those, that can be an overdose for them. So anything with iron in it should be locked up.\u201d<\/p>\n Why It Matters<\/p>\n An overdose of iron supplements can be life-threatening, especially in kids, who can quickly reach a toxic dose due to their small body size, according to the National Capital Poison Center<\/a>.<\/p>\n The highest iron content is found in prenatal multivitamins, so serious poisoning can happen to toddlers in a household with a new baby, where mom was taking the supplements, the center warns.<\/p>\n High doses of iron can cause an upset stomach, constipation, nausea, abdominal pain, vomiting and diarrhea, according to the National Institutes of Health<\/a>.<\/p>\n After that, “the blood turns to acid, and the iron causes bleeding and liver, heart and kidney dysfunction,” Alker writes in her book. <\/p>\n Extremely high doses of iron \u2014 hundreds or thousands of milligrams compared to the 8-18 milligrams adults need in a day \u2014 can cause organ failure, coma, convulsions and death, the NIH warns.<\/p>\n How to Get Started<\/p>\n Iron is important for good health, but it\u2019s important to take it in the right amounts. High-iron foods<\/a> can help.<\/p>\n Prevent an iron overdose by keeping any adult supplements away from kids. Alker recommends locking up the tablets and gummies so they’re out of sight and out of reach.<\/p>\n Children’s multivitamins contain very little or no iron at all, the National Capital Poison Center notes.<\/p>\n If you suspect iron poisoning, get medical help. An intravenous antidote is available at the hospital, but it must be used early, Alker notes.<\/p>\n