What happens when you overdose on Vitamin E?

This is an automatically translated article.

Vitamin E is an essential vitamin that plays an important role in the body. However, as with many other vitamins, taking too much can lead to health complications, a condition known as vitamin E overdose or vitamin E poisoning.

1. What is Vitamin E?

Vitamin E is a fat-soluble vitamin that acts as an antioxidant, reducing the risk of heart disease, certain cancers, vision problems and disorders that affect the brain the set. One of the main functions of vitamin E is to keep blood vessels dilated, preventing blood clots from forming in the blood vessels. The daily dose of vitamin E is 15mg, the following foods are rich in vitamin E:
Plant-based oils such as: soybean oil, sunflower oil, safflower oil, wheat germ oil, corn oil ... Nuts : sunflower seeds, almonds, hazelnuts, peanut butter, peanuts... Fruits: kiwi, mango, tomatoes... Vegetables: spinach, broccoli ... Do Fat-soluble vitamins are stored in fat, which can accumulate in the body's fat layer, especially if the user overdoses on vitamin E through diet or supplements. For vitamin E, the upper limit or amount that most people can consume daily through foods and supplements without causing an overdose is 1,000 mg.

2. Is it okay to take an overdose of vitamin E?

In general, the use of vitamin E is quite safe. Excess vitamin E that is not used is quickly eliminated from the body. The average daily dose required by the body is about 100-400 IU. In fact, vitamin E has almost no side effects when used in normal doses, however, when overdosed on vitamin E can experience side effects. Vitamin E toxicity occurs when excessive amounts of vitamin E accumulate in the body leading to health complications.

At high doses of vitamin E (over 400IU/day) will promote cell damage caused by oxidation and control other anti-aging agents, leading to manifestations of vitamin E overdose. are: diarrhea, digestive disorders, fatigue, weakness... However, most of these symptoms will quickly disappear when the drug is stopped.
Overdose of vitamin E can thin the blood and lead to death, because vitamin E can interfere with blood clotting, which is the body's natural defense mechanism against bleeding when injured. . In addition, vitamin E overdose is associated with an increased risk of hemorrhagic stroke or stroke caused by bleeding in the brain.

MORE: Is vitamin e safe to take daily?

3. Drug interactions

There seems to be very little risk of vitamin E drug interactions when vitamin E is consumed in normal doses. However, high doses of vitamin E supplements such as those providing more than 300 mg per day can interact with the blood thinners Aspirin (vitamin E interferes with the platelet aggregation of Aspirin) and Warfarin. In addition, taking an overdose of vitamin E can affect the effectiveness of Tamoxifen (a drug used to treat breast cancer) and Cyclosporine (an immunosuppressant indicated in the case of organ transplants). In particular, when combining doses of vitamin E with estrogen can cause thrombosis, so it should be very cautious.

4. Who needs a vitamin E supplement?

Many people take vitamin E supplements in the hope of improving their immune system, reducing their risk of cancer, or promoting hair, skin and nail health thanks to its antioxidant and anti-aging effects. However, vitamin E supplementation is unnecessary and of little benefit unless the patient is diagnosed with a vitamin deficiency. People who follow a low-fat diet or who have disorders that affect the ability to digest and absorb fat (such as Crohn's disease or cystic fibrosis) may have an increased risk of vitamin E deficiency.

5. Treatment and prevention of vitamin E overdose

Treatment for mild vitamin E poisoning is discontinuation of vitamin E supplements, with more serious complications that may require medical intervention. Accordingly, the best way to prevent vitamin E toxicity is to keep your daily vitamin E intake from supplements and dietary foods below the 1,000 mg/day limit. An overdose of vitamin E is highly unlikely if only fresh foods rich in vitamin E are eaten. In fact, the use of vitamin E supplements can lead to over 300 mg per day. One study noted an increased risk of stroke in people taking more than 180mg per day. However, most people don't need this much, a 15mg dose of vitamin E, especially fat-soluble vitamin E, increases the risk of toxicity and complications in children.
To prevent vitamin E poisoning, make sure you don't get more than 1,000 mg of vitamin E per day between supplements and foods in your family meal.

Please dial HOTLINE for more information or register for an appointment HERE. Download MyVinmec app to make appointments faster and to manage your bookings easily.

Reference source: healthline.com