The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 270 No 7249 p671
17 May 2003

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FSA issues high-dose vitamins warning

A warning that taking high doses of certain vitamins is dangerous was issued by the Food Standards Agency last week.

Following the publication of a report by an expert group the FSA said that it is to seek a ban on the inclusion of chromium picolinate in food supplements because it can cause cancer. It has also warned that taking more than 1g of vitamin C, 1.5g of calcium or 17mg of iron a day can cause reversible abdominal pain and diarrhoea. Other supplements — beta-carotene, nicotinic acid, zinc, manganese and phosphorus — can have irreversible harmful effects if taken at high doses for long periods.

The FSA has re-emphasised its current advice on taking vitamin B6, which is that people should not take more than 10mg a day except on medical advice. High intakes over a long period can lead to loss of sensation in the arms and legs.

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