Diarrhea is a possible side effect of excessive vitamin consumption. Since a balanced diet usually contains the minimum daily requirement of most vitamins, vitamin supplements should be used sparingly, at no more than the recommended dose. Overdoses of fat- soluble vitamins A, D, E or K and certain minerals, such as iron, can have serious adverse effects. Vitamins also can interact adversely with over-the-counter and prescription drugs. Consult your health-care provider or pharmacist before taking vitamins if you are also taking any medications.
RDA and DRI: Recommended Amounts of Nutrients
The recommended dietary allowance, popularly known as the recommended daily allowance, of various nutrients is a number determined by the U.S. Department of Agriculture as adequate to prevent deficiencies. It is gradually being phased out in favor of the dietary reference intakes, or DRI, which, according to the Council for Responsible Nutrition, "are the most recent set of dietary recommendations established by the Food and Nutrition Board of the Institute of Medicine" intended for optimal health. Nutrient requirements vary with age and gender; pregnant or lactating females also have special needs. Menstruating women, for example, need more iron than men or post-menopausal women.
Multivitamins
Multivitamins are formulated to provide your recommended dietary allowance of all important vitamins and minerals. You should take only the dose recommended by the manufacturer. Mixing multiple brands of multivitamins or combining a multivitamin with other individual vitamins or supplements may result in an overdose. Although the recommended dose of a multivitamin is usually safe, some people may experience diarrhea as a side effect. If the stomach upset goes away when you stop taking a specific brand of multivitamin, try another brand; if it persists, consult your health-care provider.
Excessive Vitamin Consumption
Vitamins can make a positive contribution to your health when used in moderation, but they can also harm you and your children in excessive quantities. According the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, "vitamins are ... a frequent cause of accidental poisoning in small children" and "even chewable children's vitamins can cause trouble if they're eaten like candy." Excessive quantities of fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E or K can have serious effects in adults as well as children, while excess doses of vitamin C and biotin can result in diarrhea.
Minerals
For minerals such as iron, zinc, and calcium, avoid ingesting substantially more than the RDA, as intestinal and other complications may result.
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