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Real Life Nutrition Questions Answered
printReal Life Fitness Questions Answered
Emma Brown
Nutritionist
Janet Aylott
Nutritionist
Kelly Marshall
Fitness Consultant
Q.
Am I taking too much Vitamin A?
Hi. I'm taking a probiotic & prebiotic multivitamin & minerals tablet - this contains 800ug RE of vitamin A. I also take another supplement which is cod liver oil & evening primrose oil, this also contains 800ug RE of vitamin A. I'm worried I'm taking too much vitamin A as I know this can be really bad for you. Are these two vitamins safe to take together? Thanks. Charlotte
A.
Our expert says...
Vitamin A is a very important vitamin, which is vital in maintaining good eyesight. If you are eating a healthy balanced diet, you should obtain all the Vitamin A that you need, although people on a low fat diet, or who have digestive problems in absorbing fat, may benefit from supplementation.
Vitamin A is found in oily fish, egg yolk, fortified margarine, butter and full fat milk. Deficiency symptoms can include: increased susceptibility to infections; scaly skin; flaking scalp; brittle, dull hair; poor eyesight and night vision; and loss of appetite.
The Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) is 800ug and, as you have realised, you are taking double this amount with your two supplements. This would be of immediate concern if you were trying to conceive or were pregnant, as the Department of Health advice to women just before, or during the first 3 months of pregnancy, is not to supplement with more than 800ug a day unless under medical supervision.
If this doesn't apply to you, the daily upper safe level for Vitamin A supplementation, proposed by the Food Standards Agency Expert Group on Vitamins and Minerals, is still 1500ug, so I would not recommend the level you are taking on an ongoing basis and suggest that you reduce your intake to that of the RDA (800ug) by changing one of your supplements to one without Vitamin A. There are many different fish and evening primrose oil tablets on the market which would do this, so you shouldn't have a problem.
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