Excess vitamin A or hypervitaminosis A is a condition that occurs when the body experiences a buildup of vitamin A, especially in the liver. Some people who experience this hypervitaminosis are due to consuming high doses of vitamin A foods or supplements or megavitamin therapy to prevent or treat certain diseases.
Vitamin A is necessary for the function of light-sensitive nerve cells (photoreceptors) in the retina of the eye and thus helps maintain night vision. It also helps keep the skin and lining of the lungs, intestines, and urinary tract healthy and protects against infection.
Based on the Recommended Dietary Allowance , the amount of vitamin A needed for adult males is around 900 mcg (3,000 IU), while for adult females it is around 700 mcg (2,333 IU). Although vitamin A has extraordinary benefits for body health, it turns out that excess vitamin A in the body can cause various fatal health disorders.
What are the Impacts of Excess Vitamins on the Body?
There are several impacts of excess vitamin A on the body, including:
1. Skin Irritation
Vitamin A supplements are commonly used to treat acne to psoriasis. In fact, according to the MSD Manuals page , scientists are studying the effects of vitamin A supplements on reducing the risk of certain types of skin cancer.
However, excess vitamin A can apparently cause changes in skin color. The skin can turn dark yellow (carotenosis), especially on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet.
2. Bone and Joint Problems
An observational study published in the journal Nutrition Reviews in 2007 examined the effects of excess vitamin A on the risk of bone and joint problems, such as reduced bone mineral density and increased risk of fractures. However, studies have been mixed on these risks, so the safe level of retinol intake for this association is unknown.
However, some studies have shown that consuming more than 3,000 mcg of vitamin A per day can cause bone and joint pain. In fact, in infants and children aged 3 years and older, consuming more than 500 mcg of vitamin A per day can cause softening of the skull bones.
3. Liver and Kidney Damage
Vitamin A is a type of fat-soluble vitamin, so it is prone to accumulation in the body, especially the liver. Reported from WebMD , if this vitamin deposition occurs, it can cause the liver’s function to break down toxins to not work optimally. The bad impact is liver and kidney damage because some vitamins and minerals (such as calcium) cannot be broken down properly.
4. Birth Defects
Excess vitamin A also has an impact on pregnant women and fetuses in the womb, so it can cause congenital birth defects. These birth defects can include malformations of the eyes, skull, lungs, and heart. Therefore, pregnant women should not take high-dose vitamin A supplements, a maximum of 3,000 mcg per day.
5. Death
Although relatively rare, hypervitaminosis A can be fatal. For example, hypervitaminosis A can be caused by taking a single large dose of more than 200 mg of vitamin A, or by chronic use of more than 10 times the recommended daily intake.
Meanwhile, as reported by Healthline , the symptoms of excess vitamin A vary. Among them are drowsiness, irritability, stomach ache, nausea, vomiting, increased pressure on the brain.
In fact, symptoms of chronic vitamin A toxicity include blurred vision or other changes in vision, bone swelling, bone pain, poor appetite, dizziness, nausea and vomiting, and sensitivity to sunlight. In addition, dry and rough skin, itchy or peeling skin, cracked nails, cracked skin at the corners of the mouth, canker sores, yellowing of the skin ( jaundice ), hair loss, confusion, or respiratory infections.
If you experience some symptoms of excess vitamin A, there is no harm in doing a blood test to check the levels of vitamin A in the blood.
Regardless, some experts recommend consuming food sources of vitamin A that are good for the body, such as fish liver oil, liver, egg yolks, butter, cream, and milk. However, also pay attention to the amount of consumption. If you feel that you have consumed these foods too often, it is advisable not to consume them in supplement form so as not to feel the bad effects of excess vitamin A.
Hopefully the information above is useful.
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Republished with permission from theAsianParent Indonesia
