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Nutrients & Health:
Lessons Learned
from Too Much
Vitamin A
By Shane Ellison, M.Sc.
Lessons Learned
from Too Much
Vitamin A
By Shane Ellison, M.Sc.
Too much of anything can kill you,
even vitamins. Vitamin A serves as a
good example. In the early 1960s, scientists found
that vitamin A boosted immunity and prevented
blindness in third world countries.
A study in Indonesia showed that vitamin A
supplementation prevented up to a remarkable 50%
of childhood deaths caused by disease.(1) As people
began to learn of its benefits, supplementation
became common. That's when scientists discovered
that it was possible to overdose on vitamin A at a
mere 20 mg per day.
People who had overdosed on vitamin A had
symptoms like water in the brain, vomiting, fatigue,
constipation, bone pain, and severe headaches. Dry
pale skin also occurred.
Scientists then began looking at vitamin A precursors
as a means of preventing toxicity. (A vitamin
precursor is a natural substance that can be
transformed into the vitamin itself.)
They found that the human body uses beta-carotene
to produce vitamin A, but surprisingly, only when it's
needed! This means that utilizing its "natural
intelligence," the body ensures that you have plenty of
vitamin A courtesy of beta-carotene -- but won't let
you overdose! Once again, Mother Nature proves to
be our best teacher.
To ensure that your body safely gets plenty of
disease-fighting vitamin A, eat a diet rich in foods
containing beta-carotene. The best sources are
sweet potatoes, spinach and goji berries.
Reference
Jennings, E. Apricots and Oncogenes. McGuire & Beckley Books,
Cleveland, Ohio, 1993.
Note: Shane Ellison is known as "The People's Chemist." He holds a
Master's degree in organic chemistry and has first-hand industry
experience with drug research, design and synthesis. He is the author of
Health Myths Exposed and The Hidden Truth about Cholesterol-Lowering
Drugs.
even vitamins. Vitamin A serves as a
good example. In the early 1960s, scientists found
that vitamin A boosted immunity and prevented
blindness in third world countries.
A study in Indonesia showed that vitamin A
supplementation prevented up to a remarkable 50%
of childhood deaths caused by disease.(1) As people
began to learn of its benefits, supplementation
became common. That's when scientists discovered
that it was possible to overdose on vitamin A at a
mere 20 mg per day.
People who had overdosed on vitamin A had
symptoms like water in the brain, vomiting, fatigue,
constipation, bone pain, and severe headaches. Dry
pale skin also occurred.
Scientists then began looking at vitamin A precursors
as a means of preventing toxicity. (A vitamin
precursor is a natural substance that can be
transformed into the vitamin itself.)
They found that the human body uses beta-carotene
to produce vitamin A, but surprisingly, only when it's
needed! This means that utilizing its "natural
intelligence," the body ensures that you have plenty of
vitamin A courtesy of beta-carotene -- but won't let
you overdose! Once again, Mother Nature proves to
be our best teacher.
To ensure that your body safely gets plenty of
disease-fighting vitamin A, eat a diet rich in foods
containing beta-carotene. The best sources are
sweet potatoes, spinach and goji berries.
Reference
Jennings, E. Apricots and Oncogenes. McGuire & Beckley Books,
Cleveland, Ohio, 1993.
Note: Shane Ellison is known as "The People's Chemist." He holds a
Master's degree in organic chemistry and has first-hand industry
experience with drug research, design and synthesis. He is the author of
Health Myths Exposed and The Hidden Truth about Cholesterol-Lowering
Drugs.
