Weight gain is caused by consuming more calories than you burn. Because vitamins do not contain calories, they have no effect on weight gain. Although too many vitamins do not make you gain weight, they do pose potential health threats. The following vitamins are toxic when consumed at a high dosage.
Vitamin A and Beta-Carotene
Toxic levels of vitamin A can result in dizziness, nausea, vomiting, headache, skin damage, mental disturbances, and, in women, infrequent periods. Vitamin A toxicity during pregnancy is directly associated with birth defects. Severe toxicity can also cause blindness, fluid on the brain, and may be life threatening. Check the upper limit for your age group before beginning any vitamin A supplementation.
Vitamin B-6
Most B vitamins are water-soluble and excreted in the urine, making toxicities very rare. However, high doses of vitamin B-6 are associated with nerve damage, instability and numbness in the feet and hands. In some cases this nerve damage is permanent. Additionally, pregnant woman who take large doses to treat morning sickness may risk adverse effects on the nerve development of their children.
Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid)
Consuming doses of vitamin C greater than 2,000 mg/day in adults may cause headaches and diarrhea. Long-term effects include an increased risk for developing kidney stones. Large doses of ascorbic acid may cause blood thinning and interfere with anticoagulant medications, diabetes blood tests and stool tests. Large doses also increase iron absorption, which is dangerous for individuals with blood disorders.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D is very toxic in large doses. Consequences of vitamin D consumption over 1,000 IU in infants include mental retardation, slow growth, kidney failure and death. In children and adults, vitamin D consumption greater than 50,000 IU daily is associated with anorexia, vomiting, diarrhea, and mental changes. Large doses for an extended period of time causes hardening of soft tissue and kidney failure.
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