Vitamin B12 Overdose

Vitamin B12, or Cyanocobalamin is a common water soluble vitamin. It helps in maintaining proper functioning of the Central nervous System (CNS). Apart from this major function, the other functions of vitamin B12 include production of red blood cells and metabolism regulation. Vitamin B12 is used to treat pernicious anemia and is required by our body in very small amounts. Read more on vitamin B12 information.

Vitamin B12 Overdose

Dairy products, meat and eggs are rich sources of vitamin B12. Apart from these natural sources, supplements of vitamin B12, in the form of tablets or pills are also available. Most of the times, vitamin B12 overdose occurs due to intake of these supplements in excess amounts. One needs to be cautious about vitamin B12 overdose side effects.

We know that all the vitamins are essential for proper functioning of the body. But there is also a misconception that an overdose of vitamins helps in improving our immune system. This misconception results in intake of an overdose of vitamins that are not actually required by our body and which can also result in side effects. Just like other vitamins, vitamin B12 overdose leads to certain side effects. Let us have a look at it in detail.

Vitamin B12 Overdose Side Effects

Firstly, you should know that vitamin B12 overdose is quite rare. As this vitamin is water soluble, it dissolves in water when consumed in excess. But sometimes there is a substantial increase in the amount of vitamin B12 in the body and this leads to vitamin B12 overdose symptoms and side effects. If the kidneys of the person do not work properly, there can be a rise in the amount of vitamin B12 in the body.

Vitamin B12 overdose symptoms include numbness or itchy sensation in some parts of the body. Headache, giddiness and abnormal functioning of the heart are some of the other vitamin B12 side effects. Vitamin B12 overdose can also cause tingling sensation in the extremities.

Vitamin B12 Overdose Toxicity

Vitamin B12 overdose toxicity results from excessive intake of vitamin B12. The most prominent vitamin B12 overdose side effects include high risk of cancer. As we have seen above, one of the functions of vitamin B12 is to stimulate cell division. But as it cannot differentiate between useful and harmful cells, it leads to division and growth of cancerous cells as well. Hence, it has been observed that different types of cancers are one of the major vitamin B12 overdose side effects.

Vitamin B12 overdose while treating pernicious anemia can result in leukemia. If a person having a diet high in cholesterol, animal protein has an vitamin B12 overdose, it can result in cancer of stomach and esophagus. Read more on toxicity of vitamin B12.

Hence, we conclude that you must not completely discontinue intake of vitamin B12, but restrict it to the prescribed amount. Although vitamin B12 overdose is very rare, it must be avoided in order to prevent the side effects related to it.