Each multivitamin supplement manufacturer has its own dosage amount, depending on the level of vitamins and minerals contained. The Drugs website suggests taking one multivitamin per day. If you have a vitamin deficiency, your physician may suggest taking a separate supplement in excess of its daily recommended allowance, but unless prescribed you should not take more than one multivitamin supplement per day.
Identification
Vitamins are contained in most foods and eating a healthy balanced diet can provide you with all the vitamins and minerals you need for growth and development. However, due to illness, pregnancy, medication side-effects, surgery or malnutrition it may become necessary to take a vitamin supplement. In addition to capsules, these supplements are sold in liquid, chewable and powdered forms.
Toxicity
Multivitamins contain vitamins A, D, E and K, which are considered fat-soluble vitamins. Fat-soluble vitamins are stored in the body and do not need to be replaced in large quantities. Taking too much of these vitamins, separately or within a multivitamin, can result in toxicity. Vitamin toxicity can cause symptoms such as severe headache, severe stomach pain, organ failure and in severe cases can prove fatal. Minerals such as iron may also cause severe symptoms if taken in excess of the recommended daily allowance.
Warnings
Do not take more than one type of multivitamin, or more than one multivitamin capsule within 24 hours. If your multivitamin contains minerals such is iron or calcium and you have taken more than one, you may experience symptoms such as uneven heart rate, muscle weakness or confusion. If you experience any of these symptoms seek emergency help immediately.
Consideration
Do not take more than the dosage printed on your multivitamin. The label on the back of your multivitamin should state the recommended daily allowance of each vitamin and mineral it contains. Most multivitamin formulas contain 100 percent of some vitamins and minerals and may contain a little less for fat-soluble vitamins. According to the Drugs website, two capsules of antioxidant multivitamins should be taken per day, which is the same dose for multivitamins that contain zinc.
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