levels needed to lower serum cholesterol, it has been
associated with liver damage and, commonly, severe
facial flushing. Otherwise, excess water-soluble vita-
mins are removed from the body in urine. Although
large doses of water-soluble vitamins rarely cause
health problems, they cannot be used by the body and
are a waste of money. Fat-soluble vitamins that are
stored in the body can build up to very high levels and
cause serious health concerns. People interested in more
information about the effects of large doses of vitamins
should talk to a healthcare provider.
Precautions
Both too little and too much of any of the 13
human vitamins may cause health consequences. See
entries on specific vitamins for more detailed informa-
tion about potential health concerns.
Interactions
The interactions among various vitamins, enzymes,
coenzymes, drugs, and herbal supplements are complex
and incompletely understood. See entries on specific
vitamins for more detailed information about their
interactions.
Complications
Vitamins acquired by eating fruits and vegetables
promote health. No complications are expected from
vitamins in food. Vitamin supplements may cause
hypervitaminosis or interact with other supplements,
prescription drugs, over-the-counter drugs, and herbal
supplements in ways that cause undesirable side effects.
See entries on specific vitamins for more detailed infor-
mation about potential complications.
Parental concerns
Parents should encourage their children to eat a
healthy and varied diet high in fruits, vegetables, and
whole grains to meet their vitamin needs.
Most vitamin poisonings and deaths occur in chil-
dren under age 6 as the result of accidental intake of
excessive vitamin supplements. Parents should treat
vitamin supplements as they would any drug and
store them out of the reach of children.
Resources
BOOKS
Gaby, Alan R., ed.A-Z Guide to Drug-Herb-Vitamin Inter-
actions Revised and Expanded 2nd Edition: Improve
Your Health and Avoid Side Effects When Using Com-
mon Medications and Natural Supplements Together.
New York: Three Rivers Press, 2006.
Lieberman, Shari and Nancy Bruning.The Real Vitamin and
Mineral Book: The Definitive Guide to Designing Your
Personal Supplement Program,4th ed. New York: Avery,
2007.
Pressman, Alan H. and Sheila Buff.The Complete Idiot’s
Guide to Vitamins and Minerals,3rd ed. Indianapolis,
IN: Alpha Books, 2007.
Rucker, Robert B., ed.Handbook of Vitamins.Boca Raton,
FL: Taylor & Francis, 2007.
PERIODICALS
Guyton JR, Bays HE. ‘‘Safety considerations with niacin
therapy.’’Am J Cardiol.(March 19, 2007):S22-31.
Kushi, Lawrence H., Tim Byers, Colleen Doyle, et al. ‘‘Ameri-
can Cancer Society Guidelines on Nutrition and Physical
Activity for Cancer Prevention.’’CA: Cancer Journal
for Clinicians., 56 (2006):254-281.<http://caonline.
amcancersoc.org/cgi/content/full/56/5/254>
ORGANIZATIONS
American Dietetic Association. 120 South Riverside Plaza,
Suite 2000, Chicago, Illinois 60606-6995. Telephone:
(800) 877-1600. Website:<http://www.eatright.org>
Linus Pauling Institute. Oregon State University, 571
Weniger hall, Corvallis, OR 97331-6512. Telephone:
(541) 717-5075. Fax: (541) 737-5077. Website: http://
lpi.oregonstate.edu/
Office of Dietary Supplements, National Institutes of
Health. 6100 Executive Blvd., Room 3B01, MSC 7517,
Bethesda, MD 20892-7517 Telephone: (301)435-2920.
Fax: (301)480-1845. Website:<http://dietary-
supplements.info.nih.gov>
OTHER
Familydoctor.org. ‘‘Vitamins and Minerals: What You
Should Know.’’ American Family Physician, December- http://familydoctor.org/863.xml/
Harvard School of Public Health. ‘‘Vitamins.’’ Harvard
University, November 10, 2006. http://www.hsph.
harvard.edu/nutritionsource/vitamins.html/
Mayo Clinic Staff. ‘‘Dietary Supplements: Using Vitamin
and Mineral Supplements Wisely.’’ MayoClinic.com,
June 5, 2006. http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/
supplements/NU00198/
Medline Plus. ‘‘Medline Encyclopedia: Vitamins.’’ U. S.
National Library of Medicine, October 27, 2004. http://
http://www.nlm.nih/gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002399.htm/
Tish Davidson, A.M.Volumetrics
Definition
Volumetrics is a weight-management plan that
encourages dieters to control calories while eating
enough food to feel satisfied. People who eat accordingVolumetrics