Too many vitamins can harm you, experts warn
Taking more vitamins than the body needs can cause serious harm. This includes liver damage and nerve damage.
About one in three Australians took dietary supplements in 2023, up from 28.5 per cent in 2011-2012. Experts warn that consuming more than the body needs does not necessarily give additional benefits.
High doses of Vitamin A can cause liver damage. Too much Vitamin B6 can lead to peripheral neuropathy.
This is a condition causing tingling and numbness in the hands and feet. Dr Virginia Chan, an accredited dietitian, warns that many vitamins have upper safe limits.
The Therapeutic Goods Administration is tightening rules. From June 2027, buying supplements with more than 50mg of B6 will need pharmacist approval.
Anything over 200mg will need a prescription.
- 33.6 per cent in 2023
- Australian supplement users
- More than 50mg
- Vitamin B6 pharmacist threshold
- More than 200mg
- Vitamin B6 prescription threshold
Why it mattersMany people taking multiple supplements don't realise they are doubling up on the same nutrients. This pushes them past safe limits without knowing.
AustraliaAustralian suppliers will face new TGA restrictions on B6 from June 2027; consumers should check supplement labels now to avoid accidental overdoses.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 12 d ago
