Symptoms Of Toxic Vitamin B Levels

While it is important to your health that you get adequate amounts of the B vitamins from either food sources or supplements, there is such a thing as too much of a good thing. Overdosing on B vitamins, either by taking too much at one time or taking too much over a period of time, produces a variety of undesirable symptoms. Treat vitamin supplements as you would any other drug by keeping them out of reach of children and talking to your physician before beginning a vitamin B supplement regimen.

Uses of Vitamin B

There are a total of eight B vitamins, all of which are utilized by the body in converting carbohydrates we consume in food into glucose, which our body can use for energy. The eight B vitamins are sometimes referred to as the B vitamin complex. Most B-complex vitamins are water-soluble, which means that they are not stored in the body and need to be replenished frequently. Each B vitamin has a specific role in aiding in your body's metabolic function; the American Cancer Society stresses that each individual B-complex vitamin is useful and necessary for your body to function properly. Vitamin B-3, or niacin, has a role in the production of sex and stress hormones and in helping with circulation and cholesterol levels. B-12 is important in cell reproduction and blood formation. B-9, or folate, is essential for fetal development and is also used in DNA synthesis and red blood cell production. B-1 and B-2 have an effect on enzymes that help to regulate the heart, as well as muscles and nerve fibers. B-7 is important in hormone production and in metabolizing protein and carbohydrates. B-5 is important for normal growth.

Sources of Vitamin B

If you are eating a well-balanced diet that includes a variety of fresh vegetables and fruits, as well as whole grains, you probably have adequate vitamin B intake just from your regular diet. However, there are foods that are higher in some kinds of vitamin B than others. B-9, or folate, is found in dried beans, nuts, mushrooms, liver and dark leafy greens like kale. B-6 is found primarily in animal products like liver, fish, chicken and pork, but is also found in bananas, potatoes and dried beans. B-12 is found in animal products like eggs, dairy products, meat and poultry and shellfish. Cereals and whole grains are usually rich in B-1 and B-2. B3 is in animal products like meat and proteins like dried beans and nuts. B-7 is contained in bananas, watermelon, mushrooms, grapefruit, and egg yolks. Last but not least, almost all foods contain vitamin B-5. If you are not getting adequate vitamin B in your diet, talk to your health care provider about supplementing. Do not begin a supplement regimen without talking to your physician.

Vitamin B Overdose Amounts and Complications

While it would be difficult to eat enough of a food rich in B-complex vitamins to cause an overdose, overdoses do occasionally occur in people who choose to supplement. However, most overdoses are reversed quickly since vitamin B does not remain in the body for very long. According to the "Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine," folic acid, or B-9, doses of 20 g per day or more can eventually cause kidney damage. Very large doses of about 2 to 5 g of B-6 per day can cause tingling and lack of sensation in your extremities, which can remain with your for years, or even eventually cause permanent nerve damage.

Symptoms of Vitamin B Toxicity

Overdose of any medication or supplement is serious. If you believe you may have overdosed on any supplement or medication, you should contact your doctor immediately. An overdose of B-complex vitamins can have different symptoms, depending on which type of vitamin B you overdosed. Many overdoses of vitamin B have no symptoms at all. Too much B-1 can cause heart arrhythmias, a drop in blood pressure, weakness, headaches, and seizures or convulsions. At lower levels, you may just suffer from digestive upset or diarrhea. An overdose of B-3, or niacin, can result in diarrhea and vomiting, headache, itchy skin, wheezy breathing and a flushing of the skin, often called "niacin flush." In some people, niacin flush occurs even when they have not taken too much B-3. Toxic levels of B-6 can cause raspy, gasping breathing and muscle irregularities such as general clumsiness, weakness, or even paralysis. Too much folate can complicate things by appearing to be a B-12 deficiency, which can cause anemia. If you are taking B-9, or folic acid, it is important you tell your health care provider this, especially if you seem to have a deficiency of B-12, as he should rule out an overdose of folate.