Login or Register

Liquid Vitamin B Dangers

Jul 22, 2011 | By Kathryn Gilhuly
Liquid Vitamin B Dangers
Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images

If you don't like swallowing pills or find them difficult to digest, taking vitamin B in liquid form is an alternative. If you take more vitamin B than you need in any form, you're risking potentially serious side effects. A vitamin B complex may contain more than 6,000 percent of the recommended daily allowance in a single dose. An added danger of taking liquid vitamin B is that you're responsible for measuring the dose. Ask your doctor before adding liquid vitamin B to your diet, and if you decide to use it, follow recommended guidelines.

Vitamin B Deficiency

If you aren't deficient in B vitamins, you probably don't need to take it in either liquid or solid form. Most people get enough vitamin B in their diets, as it occurs naturally in a variety of foods, including fish, chicken, beef, eggs, milk, nuts, fortified breakfast cereals, legumes and green vegetables.
But there are situations in which a deficiency may develop. Women who take birth-control pills may develop a vitamin B-6 deficiency. Those susceptible to vitamin B-12 deficiency include adults older than 50, those with absorption issues such as Crohn's, stomach surgery patients and vegans. Alcoholics may become deficient in multiple B vitamins. Your doctor can test for deficiencies for most B vitamins and recommend appropriate amounts, if needed.

Dangers of Vitamin B-3

Types and amounts of B vitamins vary from one supplement to another. Carefully check the label for the amount of niacin in the type you purchase. The RDA for niacin -- vitamin B-3 -- ranges from 14 mg to 16 mg. Some liquid B-vitamin formulas have this RDA, but others have as much as 100 mg of B-3. Fairly minor side effects of taking high doses of vitamin B-3 include diarrhea, vomiting and flushing. More serious side effects may occur if you take large doses of vitamin B-3 for extended periods. These include liver damage, heartbeat irregularities, stomach ulcers, gout and vision loss.

Dangers of Vitamin B-6

Also carefully check the amount of vitamin B-6 -- pyridoxine. If taken in high amounts, B-6 can cause nerve and brain problems. The RDA for vitamin B-6 ranges from 1.3 mg to 2 mg a day. If you're deficient in B-6, your doctor may suggest that you take up to 25 mg for several weeks and then reduce your dose to no more than 2.5 g. If you develop a vitamin B-6 deficiency because you use birth-control pills, your doctor may recommend a dosage of 25 mg to 30 mg but also monitor you for side effects. If you take more vitamin B-6 than you need, you may experience a decreased appetite, vomiting, headaches and tingling in your arms and legs.

Additional Side Effects

Other B vitamins in your liquid formula may prove safer in high amounts, but all of the B vitamins can have side effects if you take more than you need. Stop using liquid vitamin B if you experience nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headaches or increased urine output. Depending on the amount and types of B vitamins in your liquid formula, you might also experience a drop or elevation in your blood-sugar or blood-pressure levels. Although rare, allergic reactions to vitamin B-1 -- thiamine -- may occur if you exceed the recommended dose.

References

Article reviewed by Amy Richards Last updated on: Jul 22, 2011

Must see: Photo Galleries

Member Comments