Supplement users face risks from vitamin and mineral overdose

12 articles · Updated · The Indian Express · May 2

Experts detailed warning signs from excess vitamin D, calcium, vitamin E, vitamin A and iron, including nausea, constipation, fatigue, increased thirst, soft-tissue calcification and organ damage.
Reported complications include kidney and heart problems from vitamin D-linked calcium buildup, inflammation at high vitamin E doses, hypervitaminosis A and iron overload damaging internal organs.
Doctors said supplements should be guided by medical need, such as poor absorption, cancer-related weight loss, fragile bones or heavy periods, while most healthy people can rely on diet, sunlight and exercise.

With supplements often unregulated and nutrient toxicity on the rise, how can consumers truly know if they're helping or harming their health?

Could stricter global supplement regulations and better food fortification be the real solution to hidden hunger and supplement misuse?

If modern agriculture is depleting our food's nutrients, should we focus on fixing our soil rather than relying on supplements?