Ocuvite eye vitamin and mineral supplements are a brand of dietary supplements designed to support proper vision. Your visual system requires the presence of a number of nutrients, including vitamins and minerals that nourish tissues in your eyes. Ocuvite contains high amounts of beta-carotene, a source of vitamin A, as well as synthetic vitamin A and zinc. While taking vitamin supplements like Ocuvite can prove beneficial to the health of your eyes, overdosing on these supplements can have negative health effects.
Nausea and Digestive Upset
One side effect of overconsuming Ocuvite is the development of digestive or stomach upset. Introducing a new vitamin supplement into your diet may shock your body, leading to digestive upset as your system adjusts to the new supplement. In some cases, over-consuming the nutrients in Ocuvite may also cause nausea. The University of Maryland Medical Center lists nausea, stomach upset and vomiting as side effects of taking zinc supplements, while the Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University lists nausea as a side effect of vitamin A overdose. To avoid nausea after taking Ocuvite, always take it with a meal to help regulate nutrient absorption, and take vitamin supplements at the recommended dosage.
Vitamin A Toxicity
One potential side effect of overconsuming Ocuvite is the development of vitamin A toxicity. Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin, which means it cannot be expelled from the body, and excess vitamin A is instead stored within fatty tissue throughout your body. Over time, vitamin A accumulation can lead to hypervitaminosis A, a condition with a number of symptoms. Overconsuming vitamin can lead to the development of dry, itchy skin, nausea and fatigue, or even more serious effects such as liver damage or coma. You can avoid hypervitaminosis A by taking Ocuvite vitamins as directed on the package insert, and by avoiding other forms of vitamin A supplementation while taking Ocuvite.
Copper Deficiency
Ocuvite contains relatively high amounts of zinc. While this mineral proves essential for proper vision, consuming large amounts of zinc can interfere with the availability of other essential minerals, like copper. High levels of zinc can trap copper in a form not easily absorbed by your body, leading to the development of copper deficiency, explains the Linus Pauling Institute. If you develop the signs of copper deficiency, such as increased incidence of infection or fatigue, discontinue taking Ocuvite and consult with a physician to address the possibility of a mineral imbalance within your body.
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