Most Americans take one or more vitamin supplements per day. Vitamins may help to ensure that you receive adequate nutrition if your diet is not varied and may be useful for managing a variety of health conditions. However, some individuals experience nausea and other gastrointestinal symptoms as a side effect of consuming vitamins. Some simple changes can help to alleviate these problems.
Iron
Nausea, vomiting and constipation are common side effects of iron supplements. High levels of iron are found in prenatal supplements, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or CDC, recommends 30 milligrams of iron daily for pregnant women. If you suspect your prenatal vitamin is causing nausea, talk to your health care provider about switching to a different formulation. Do not stop taking the supplements without a doctor's advice because your body still needs the folic acid and other benefits of a prenatal multivitamin. Some brands of prenatal vitamins contain lower levels of iron and may be appropriate for women who are not anemic. Boosting the amount of iron in your diet may be another option.
Calcium
According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, or UMMC, high doses of calcium can cause nausea, vomiting and loss of appetite. Even moderate doses can result in stomach upset and constipation. Some people have trouble with the size of calcium pills, which are typically quite large. An individual's total calcium intake from diet plus supplements should not exceed 2,500 milligrams per day. A health care provider or nutritionist can help you determine whether you are receiving the recommended daily amount from diet alone.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Nausea, indigestion, gas and belching are common complaints of those taking fish oil supplements to increase their consumption of heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids. Experimenting with different brands may be the solution. Some people find lemon or orange-flavored versions easier to tolerate. Smaller capsules and chewable formulations are two more options that may be more palatable for some individuals.
Vitamin D
The National Institutes of Health warns that high levels of vitamin D can cause nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, constipation and weight loss. These side effects do not occur when vitamin D is received in the form of sunlight, as the excess amount degrades safely. Dietary overdoses are also rare, except when large amounts of cod liver oil are consumed. However, high doses of vitamin supplements are capable of producing these side effects. Never exceed the dose recommended by the package instructions, and consult a physician if you suspect vitamin D toxicity.
Vitamin B6 for Fighting Nausea
Many studies have shown that vitamin B6 reduces nausea. The recommended daily allowance of vitamin B6 is 1.3 mg per day for male and female adults and 1.9 mg for pregnant women. A multivitamin that contains vitamin B6 may counteract the stomach upset caused by other components.
References
- National Institutes of Health: Office of Dietary Supplements Factsheet
- BabyCenter: Is my prenatal vitamin making me nauseous?
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Calcium
- University of California at Berkeley: Wellness Guide to Vitamin Supplements
- National Institutes of Health: Office of Dietary Supplements--Vitamin D
- University of Oregon: Vitamin B6
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