Vitamin B12 overdose: Side effects of taking too many supplements; know when to stop

How much Vitamin B12 is too much?

Vitamins and minerals play a significant role in maintaining our overall health. Eating nutrient-dense foods therefore not only takes care of our physical health but also tends to our mental well-being.

Vitamin B12 is one of the most essential nutrients to add to your diet. While it is not naturally produced, it is present in many foods including animal produce and seafood and can also be received through supplements.

The primary role of this vitamin is to support the nervous system and to make red blood cells. Given that vitamin B12 is water-soluble, it is easily absorbed in the intestines, following which it facilitates the production of DNA. Besides that, it also helps enhance energy and boost metabolism.

When should you resort to Vitamin B12 supplements?

Vitamin B12 deficiency is a common occurrence among people and because it helps serve several bodily functions, many resort to supplements. Since the body does not produce it naturally and one may miss out on the foods that possess this essential nutrient, supplements seem to be the best available alternative.

However, experts recommend getting your vitamin B12 from food, before trying a supplement. If you're someone who has eliminated meat, dairy and fortified cereals from your diet, then it is possible that you may require supplements. However, it is best to talk to your dietician or physician.

Mostly, vitamin B12 is advised to be taken in the morning or with a meal, since it is associated with energy metabolism, which may interrupt your sleep if taken at night. Experts recommend taking B12 supplements with a glass full of water to optimize absorption.

Can you overdose on B12?

While overdosing on vitamin B12 is said to be highly unlikely, experts believe it is possible to have elevated B12 levels.

That said, although side effects from vitamin B12 supplementation are very rare, it can possibly occur with B12 injections, but not with oral supplements. Vitamin B12 injections are said to be effective at increasing blood levels of B12, preventing or reversing deficiency of the same.

It is important to note however that the shots must be prescribed by a doctor and given intramuscularly. These usually contain hydroxocobalamin or cyanocobalamin. The rate of absorption for these injections are believed to be higher than oral supplementation, which is why experts warn against possible side effects. 

Side effects to note

Taking oral supplementation is safe if taken at recommended doses. However, B12 shots can lead to side effects including:

- Headache

Dizziness

- Diarrhea

- Skin rash and itching

- Nausea and vomiting

- Fatigue

- Swelling and tingling sensation

Additionally, excess vitamin B12 can also result in rare but severe allergic reactions also known as anaphylaxis. This could lead to face, tongue and throat swelling.

 

Here's what you need to know about the right dosage

The National Institutes of Health of Dietary Supplements recommends the following dosage of vitamin B12 for different groups of people.

- 2.4 micrograms (mcg) daily for ages 14 years or older

- 2.6 mcg daily for pregnant women

- 2.8 mcg daily for breastfeeding women

For those over 50 years of age, the recommended dietary amount (RDA) is 25 to 100 mcg of B-12 or one can get it by eating vitamin B12-rich foods.

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Causes Of Tingling Sensations In the Back

We often underestimate a sensation of tingling or numbness in the back and dismiss it as our back simply “falling asleep” much like our hands or legs often do, but these symptoms may indicate a bigger problem. An unexplained, new or persistent occurrence of pins and needles sensations, also called paresthesia, in the back can be caused by nerve damage.

Many equally serious conditions ranging from spinal injuries to tumors can cause paresthesia in the back, and all of these conditions require medical attention, so if you experience persistent tingling and numbness in your back along with some of the other symptoms we will list, it definitely warrants a doctors visit. You can read about the 7 most common conditions that cause tingling in the back below.

1. Spinal infections

Several strands of bacteria or fungi can sometimes penetrate the spinal column, causing inflammation and damaging your nerves, which can cause tingling in the back. These infections can occur as a complication of surgery and injury, or they develop spontaneously.

People who are at risk of developing spinal infections are those who suffer from chronic conditions like diabetes, HIV, cancer, obesity and those who are taking immunosuppressants. The symptoms can vary from hardly noticeable to debilitating depending on the severity of the condition, but they do tend to worsen with time.

The most common symptoms of spinal infections include:

• A stiff and painful back
• Numbness or tingling in the back, but can also occur in the limbs
• Fever, chills, and headaches
• The skin in the affected area can be hot, tender to the touch and red
• Spasms and muscle weakness.

2. Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition the causes of which are still unknown, but scientists today have begun to understand that there is both a biological and psychological aspect to it. The condition is more common in women than it is in men, and it can manifest itself very differently.

Most patients suffering from fibromyalgia have specific tender points around the different joints in the body that are tender to the touch and often become very painful. Some patients also experience tingling and numbness in different parts of the body.

Other biological and psychological symptoms of fibromyalgia include:

• Headaches
• Fatigue and trouble falling asleep
• Depression and anxiety
• Brain fog and difficulty concentrating.

3. Arteriovenous malformations

An arteriovenous malformation (AVM) is an abnormally shaped or tangled blood vessel. These tangled blood vessels develop while a baby is still in their mother’s womb, but scientists aren’t sure why they occur.

AVMs can develop in any part of the body, but they are typically found when they occur in the brain or spinal cord because, in these cases, they can cause severe symptoms. The main problem with these malformations is that it can block or otherwise affect blood flow to certain body parts and nerves in particular.

Depending on the location, AVMs can cause the following symptoms:

• Tingling, numbness and back pain
• Headaches and dizziness
• Seizures
• Vision problems
• Memory loss or confusion
• Speech problems
• Loss of coordination.

 4. Spondylolisthesis 

Our spines are complicated and fragile systems, and one weak or misplaced link can disrupt the entire system. In spondylolisthesis, one of the vertebrae in the spine, typically in the lower back slips out of its place, and sometimes, this misplacement can press on a nerve, causing tingling and pain in the affected area.

This pain and tingling can even radiate to the thighs and worsen with physical activity. Sitting and leaning forward can usually relieve the pain. The compressed nerve can manifest itself through other symptoms as well, such as:

• A stiff back
• Weakness in the legs
• Difficulty walking and standing for extended periods of time.

5. Spinal fractures

Fractured vertebrae, too, can cause numbness and tingling in the back. Like any other fractures, spinal fractures are usually the result of trauma and injury, but people with weakened bones and the elderly can get these fractures more easily.

The majority of spinal fractures happen in the lower or middle parts of the back, and they can be very painful and make it difficult to stay active, as movement usually worsens the pain. When the fracture causes severe nerve damage, these fractures can make it difficult for the patient to move their legs or even control their bladder and bowel movements.

6. Spinal cord tumor

Both malignant and benign tumors in or near the spine can cause a pins and needles sensation in the back. Benign tumors can press on the spinal cord, whereas malignant tumors can also invade the surrounding tissue, both of which can affect the nerves. The symptoms and their severity depend on the location of the tumor, as well as its size, but the most common symptoms include:

• Back pain
• Numbness and paresthesia in the back, neck or limbs
• Weakness and poor coordination in the limbs
• Insensitivity to temperature or pain
• Incontinence.

7. Shingles

Shingles is an itchy and painful rash that can develop on any area of the skin, typically on the back or neck. The rash develops into painful blisters filled with liquid that eventually turn into scabs and clear up in a month. Both shingles and chickenpox are caused by the same virus, and a person can get shingles only if they had chickenpox because the varicella zoster virus stays dormant in the body all your lifetime.

Unlike chickenpox, however, it is possible to get shingles more than once and the severity of the symptoms can vary each time. Before a rash appears, some patients experience itching, tingling and burning sensations in the area. Like any other viral infection, shingles can come with headaches, fever, chills and an upset stomach.

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