Toxicity is a state of poisoning that occurs upon exposure to a substance. Herbs and vitamins are capable of causing toxicity under certain circumstances. In many cases, the dose determines the toxicity of a given herb or vitamin. Understanding the nature of herb and vitamin toxicity allows you to identify the underlying cause sooner for a better prognosis.
Numbers and Statistics
Dietary supplements are an increasingly popular product. According to the Chicago newspaper "Daily Herald," more than 40,000 different herb and vitamin products are available today, with annual sales exceeding $23 billion in the United States alone.
The number of health problems associated with these products is also high. Some 50,000 safety issues involving dietary supplements occurred between 2008 and 2009, and tens of thousands of adverse reactions are reported to poison control centers each year, according to the "Daily Herald."
Sources
Toxicity can result from contamination of supplements as well as excessively high doses of an herb or vitamin. Because dietary supplements aren't tightly regulated by the FDA, they might be more likely to contain harmful substances than pharmaceutical drugs. Although a one-time dose might not be sufficient to cause toxicity, poisons such as copper and lead can accumulate to dangerous levels over time.
Although they're vital for good health, the fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E and K can cause overdose when taken in large amounts. Minerals such as iron, calcium and magnesium can also be dangerous in high doses.
Contamination with dangerous substances is another way in which herbs and vitamins can cause toxicity. According to ABC News Health, supplements containing pesticide residue and heavy metals such as lead and mercury have been found in retail outlets all over the country.
Signs and Symptoms
Herb and vitamin toxicity can manifest in many ways depending on the specific substance at fault. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), poisoning caused by heavy metals such as mercury and cadmium can cause diverse gastrointestinal, neurological and emotional symptoms including nervousness, irritability, skin rashes and sensory disturbances.
Toxicity caused by an overdose of fat-soluble vitamins can also produce a wide array of problems. Nausea, vomiting, changes in skin and nails and abnormal liver enzyme counts are common in vitamin-induced toxicity. Herbs such as butterbur, thunder god vine and comfrey contain compounds that can potentially cause toxic effects such as liver damage and should not be taken without a doctor's supervision.
Prevention/Solution
The only way to completely avoid the risk of herb and vitamin toxicity is to refrain from using dietary supplements altogether. To reduce the risks of contamination, only buy trusted brands that bear the U.S. Pharmacopeia seal of approval. Read all dosing instructions carefully, and tell your doctor about any supplements you take to prevent dangerous interactions with prescription drugs.
Misconceptions
The misconception that products like herbs and vitamins are safe because of their natural origin is a potentially deadly myth. All vitamins and herbs are capable of causing overdose and can potentially trigger dangerous allergic reactions in some users. The herbs ephedra, bitter orange and cascara sagrada are examples of natural products that have caused serious adverse effects, including death in otherwise healthy consumers.
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