A number of companies sell vitamin B complex in "super" formulas. Generally, this means that the supplement contains high amounts of one or more B vitamins, usually including B-1, B-2, B-3, B-5, B-6 and B-12. Some super B complex formulas contain more than 6,000 percent of the recommended daily allowance -- RDA -- for B vitamins. If you take B vitamin in high doses, you increase your risk of suffering serious side effects, including heart palpitations.
Heart Palpitations
Some heart palpitations -- rapid or fluttering heartbeat -- occur under natural conditions such as when you exercise, experience anxiety or take medications such as antihistamines. But some types of rapid heartbeat, known medically as tachycardia, increase your chances of suffering a heart attack or stroke. If you develop fast or irregular heartbeats while taking super B complex, discontinue taking the supplement and contact your doctor. Some people who have taken high doses of vitamin B -- vitamin B-3 in particular -- have required emergency medical treatment.
Vitamin B-3
If the super B complex you take contains vitamin B-3, or niacin, check the label for the amount. The recommended daily dose for niacin ranges from 14 to 16 mg a day. Most people get this amount from their diets from foods such as peanuts, fish, chicken, milk and eggs. If you suffer a vitamin B-3 deficiency, taking extra niacin -- 50 to 100 mg a day -- may restore your niacin levels to normal. If you suffer a severe niacin deficiency, a condition called pellagra, you may need to take up to 500 mg a day, according to the website MedlinePlus. If you take more than 100 mg of niacin daily, the side effects may include irregular heartbeats. Always consult a physician before increasing your dosage.
Vitamin B Balance
The B vitamins, when obtained from your diet, work together to affect the development and release of stress hormones in your body. In proper balance, the B vitamins help you respond appropriately to stress. Some B vitamins, for instance, relieve anxiety and others boost your stress response. Super B vitamin complex supplements may contain high amounts of some B vitamins and low amounts of others. This can upset the harmony of the B vitamins. Depending on the formula of the super b complex you take, you could end up feeling more tired or more anxious than usual. An uneven balance of B vitamins could cause heart palpitations.
Considerations
If you are not deficient in B vitamins, there is no reason to use super B complex supplements. Popular reasons for taking B vitamins such as improving cholesterol levels and athletic performance remain unsupported by science. If you believe you suffer from a vitamin B deficiency, ask your doctor to test your levels and take needed B vitamins in the appropriate amounts. If you take super B complex, possible side effects -- in addition to heart palpitations -- include liver damage, vision loss, ulcers and nerve and brain problems. Less serious side effects include nausea, vomiting, headaches, increased urine output and changes in urine color.
References
- University of Maryland Medical Center; Vitamin B3 (Niacin); June 18, 2009
- MedlinePlus: Thiamine (Vitamin B1); May 9, 2011
- MedlinePlus; Riboflavin (Vitamin B2);Nov. 19, 2010
- MedlinePlus:Pantothenic Acid (Vitamin B5); Nov. 19, 2010
- MedlinePlus: Pyridoxine (Vitamin B6); Dec. 13, 2010
- Office of Dietary Supplements, National Institutes of Health: Vitamin B6
