If you are worried about overdosing on vitamin B12, you do not have to. There is no current upper limit or maximum dose that you can take each day of vitamin B12. Most health problems associated with B12 are actually related to poor absorption or a B-12 deficiency.
Side Effects
According to the experts at Oregon State University, no side effects are known with high intake of vitamin B12. They add that even extremely high doses given through intramuscular injection are not known to cause health problems. This is most likely because B12 is a water-soluble vitamin, meaning that it dissolves in water. After your body uses B12, the leftover amounts leave the body through your urine, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center.
Recommended Daily Allowance
The recommended daily allowance, or RDA, is the minimum intake of a specific vitamin that you need each day to avoid health problems. The current RDA for vitamin B12 is 2.4 micrograms, according to the Harvard School of Public Health. Most of this requirement is met through eating foods such as fish, eggs, meat, poultry, shellfish and milk products. If you do not consume or absorb enough B12, your body could develop symptoms of a B12 deficiency.
B12 Deficiency
A B12 deficiency can lead to problems with your blood, your metabolism and your nervous system. Common symptoms include anemia symptoms such as weakness, fatigue and paleness. Other symptoms include serious neurological problems such as dementia and difficulty walking. Most B12 deficiency is caused by improper absorption in your stomach and intestines. A blood test can determine whether your blood levels of B12 are in the healthy ranges.
Considerations
If you experience symptoms of anemia or problems with your energy, you should talk with your doctor about getting your B12 levels checked. Medication can lead to a B12 deficiency, can intestinal problems such as Crohn's disease or celiac disease. When it comes to your B-12 level, you do not need to worry about overdosing, but you do need to worry about getting at least the RDA every day.
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