Can You Take Too Many Vitamins? Guidance for Taking Multiple Vitamins

Can you take too many vitamins? Is it possible to have too much of a good thing? While we may ask that question more often at an all-you-can-eat buffet, we'll find the same answer for vitamins: yes.

Vitamins can offer several health benefits when taken in the recommended doses and serving size. Still, it's vital to put together a supplement routine that supports your health goals with supplements that complement each other in appropriate doses.

The Basics of Vitamin Supplementation

Why might you be interested in vitamins and supplements in the first place? Our body needs several essential nutrients to function; we usually get these nutrients through our diet. However, that's not always possible. If we are picky eaters, have dietary restrictions, or even if we give our best efforts to eat healthy, we may not always get all of the nutrients we need in the amounts that we need them to be our best.

Dietary supplements can help you bridge possible nutrient gaps, supporting your overall well-being and providing key nutrients for health goals like immune support, cellular energy, and bone health.^†

Types of Vitamins and Their Roles

You've probably heard of a few vitamins, like Vitamin A, Vitamin C, and Vitamin D. But did you know there are two categories of vitamins? These two categories are water-soluble and fat-soluble.

• Water-soluble vitamins are Vitamin C and all B Vitamin Being “water-soluble” means these vitamins dissolve in water. Our bodies do not store excess amounts of water-soluble vitamins. Excess water-soluble vitamins pass through the body, and we excrete them in our urine. For this reason, it is important to consume water-soluble vitamins on a regular basis.
• Fat-soluble vitamins include Vitamin A, Vitamin D, Vitamin E, and Vitamin K. These vitamins need some dietary fat to dissolve, like olive oil, avocados, nuts and seeds, or animal fats. For this reason, it's recommended to take supplements that include these vitamins alongside a meal with dietary fat for proper absorption. Because they are fat-soluble, these vitamins stick around in the body for longer, and we store them in our fatty tissue.

What vitamins should I take? Each vitamin has a unique function in the body and supports different aspects of health. Let's run down a few of the ways these vitamins can support your body.

Vitamin A

Vitamin A is an essential nutrient that supports health aging and a healthy immune system. Additionally, Vitamin A is essential for healthy eye function, and it’s a skin health nutrient.^†

B Vitamins

B Vitamins are a selection of 8 vitamins with similar roles in the body. All B Vitamins play some role in the production of ATP, an all-purpose form of cellular energy. Looking for B Vitamins support? Our Super B-Complex with C Tablets help convert food into cellular energy.^†

Vitamin C

You’re probably familiar with Vitamin C; over the years it’s got quite a lot of good press. That’s because Vitamin C is an antioxidant that supports the immune system and helps neutralize free radicals in the body. Vitamin C also supports Iron absorption and supports healthy vascular function. Nature Made^® Vitamin C Gummies support a healthy immune system.^†

Vitamin D

Vitamin D is another essential vitamin for immune support. This essential vitamin helps to regulate your body’s immune response, and our Vitamin D3 Softgels support bone, teeth, muscle and immune health with the body’s preferred form of Vitamin D.^†

Vitamin E

Vitamin E is an essential nutrient for many cells, including heart muscle cells. Found in our Vitamin E dl-Alpha Softgels, this antioxidant supports a healthy immune system and neutralizes free radicals in the body.^†

Vitamin K

Vitamin K is an essential nutrient that supports healthy aging. Vitamin K1 and Vitamin K2 are different form of Vitamin K. Vitamin K1 supports healthy vascular function. Our Vitamin K2 Softgels provide a source of K2 to support bone health and help maintain a healthy circulatory system.^†

These vitamins have many functions, so read more to learn what happens to your body when you start taking vitamins. Additionally, minerals are another essential nutrient that you can find in multivitamins. What do minerals do for the body? A lot of things; Magnesium alone has a role in over 300 enzymatic reactions in the body.

Is It Okay to Take Multiple Vitamins Every Day?

Generally, it is safe to take multiple vitamin supplements every day. In fact, there are benefits of taking vitamins every day. However, some vitamins and minerals have upper limits, which are the highest level of daily intake that is generally considered safe for the average person.[1]

If you are taking multiple supplements that provide the same nutrient, you may be inadvertently taking high doses, so be sure that you check the label on all of your supplements. It’s generally best to only take one multivitamin at a time.

Check out this guide on what is a multivitamin vs. individual vitamin. The best way to ensure your daily routine is the right fit for you, discuss your vitamin intake with your primary healthcare provider, who can give you personalized guidance.

Every supplement includes a label that shows how much of each nutrient you get per serving. Check out this guide to learn how to read this label and why some supplements have doses higher than the RDA.

Why Multivitamins Can Be a Good Option

One way to simplify your daily supplement routine is by opting for a multivitamin. A multivitamin is a supplement that includes more than one vitamin or mineral per dose, allowing you to bridge multiple possible nutrient gaps in a convenient package.

Nature Made^® tailors multivitamins to your sex, age group, life stage, and health needs. Our multivitamin collection includes Nature Made^® Advanced Multivitamin For Adults Gummies, Men's Multivitamin 50+ Tablets, Prenatal Multivitamin Folic Acid + DHA Softgels, and more! Check out our Multivitamin Collection to find the right multi for you.^†

While a multivitamin may help you cover some nutrient gaps in your diet, it is not a replacement for a balanced diet. Getting most of your essential nutrients through a balanced diet that includes nutrient-rich foods is always best.

Always read the labels of all supplements you are taking to see which nutrients and ingredients they contain. Because multivitamins include many nutrients, if you are taking additional supplements, you may be doubling up on some nutrients. Consult with your primary care provider for guidance on how to work a multivitamin into your supplement routine.

Stay Informed and Balanced

So, can you take too many vitamins? Yes, it is possible to take too many vitamins, which can have side effects, so you should ensure that your supplement routine falls within the safe limits of supplementation. The best way to ensure this is by consulting with a medical professional who can personalize a supplement routine to match your needs.

What is the best time to take vitamins? The best time to take vitamins is the time you can remember to do so consistently. A great time to take your vitamins is with your heartiest meal of the day. Your heartiest meal will likely contain the most dietary fat, which helps your body absorb those fat-soluble vitamins, and tying your vitamin routine to an already established habit (like eating breakfast or dinner) helps ensure you take them every day! Do vitamins work? Vitamins support you best when they are taken consistently.

Nature Made^® offers a wide selection of vitamin and mineral supplements, including multivitamins backed by science to support your unique needs.^†

*Based on a survey of pharmacists who recommend branded vitamins and supplements.

† These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

References

1. Institute of Medicine (US) Committee to Review Dietary Reference Intakes for Vitamin D and Calcium; Ross AC, Taylor CL, Yaktine AL, et al., editors. Dietary Reference Intakes for Calcium and Vitamin D. Washington (DC): National Academies Press (US); 2011. Summary Tables. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK56068/