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From: dbb@fluke.UUCP (Dave Bartley)
Newsgroups: net.med
Subject: Re: Vitamin Overdoses - Bs and C
Message-ID: <430@vax1.fluke.UUCP>
Date: Thu, 15-Dec-83 12:10:46 EST
Article-I.D.: vax1.430
Posted: Thu Dec 15 12:10:46 1983
Date-Received: Sun, 18-Dec-83 06:00:00 EST
References: <226@pyuxss.UUCP> <802@ihuxr.UUCP>
Organization: John Fluke Mfg. Co., Everett, Wash
Lines: 42

"Some nutritionists are saying that high intakes of vitamin C
may create a greater need for the vitamin.  The body thus
becomes conditioned to expect a greater amount, and if intake is
suddenly cut back, a deficiency can result.  One concern is that
pregnant women who consume large doses of the vitamin may
transmit a higher-than-normal requirement for it to infants...
Meanwhile, other researchers have provided leads that high
vitamin C intake can cause kidney stones as well as interfere
with vitamin B12 metabolism.

"A recent report documenting the effects of megadoses of
pyridoxine (vitamin B6) on 5 women and 2 men is also quite
sobering.  The 7 cases featured serious neurological problems.
In one case, a woman who began megadosing on her own to treat
edema during pregnancy experienced numbness in her arms and
legs, had difficulty handling objects, lost her reflexes, and
became so unsteady at walking that she was forced to use a cane.
All of the patients in the case reports improved following
withdrawal of the vitamin; two who were followed for 2 to 3
years have almost completely recovered.

"It should be noted that these individuals were taking large
doses of pyridoxine -- 1,000 to 2,700 times the RDA -- some for
as long as three years.  In other words, they were not typical
of most people who take vitamin supplements.  But for the
substantial number of people who do take large doses, the
reports warn there are limits to the body's ability to tolerate
massive amounts of even water-soluble vitamins."


From the newsletter of a Seattle-area health maintenance
organization (without permission).  They, in turn, offer as
reference:

New England Journal of Medicine; August 15, 1983; pps 445-448;
448-490.
-- 
Dave Bartley
John Fluke Mfg Co, Inc, Everett, WA 98206
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