It is said that anything in extremes can be harmful. In the same way, consuming supplements in excess can cause trouble. Hence, the answer to the above question will be YES. In fact, in some cases it might cause more harm than the deficiency of certain vitamins or minerals. Overdose of iron supplements can lead to many genetic diseases, liver cirrhosis and heart failure.

 It is also one of the major reasons for poisoning in under age children. Similarly, overdosing of magnesium and zinc also has an adverse effect on our body. When it comes to zinc, it has been observed that excess intake of zinc can cause headaches, nausea, abdominal cramps, loss of appetite, diarrhea, and vomiting. It also results in some chronic effects such as decreased copper status, decreased immune function and modified iron function.

Kidney failure, diarrhea, difficulty in breathing, weakness, loss of appetite are some of the consequences of overdose of Magnesium. In order to avoid overdose of any supplement, one needs to take some precaution and follow some basic steps:

• Always consult a dietician or physician before taking any large dose of any supplements.
• Always follow the instructions given by the labels behind the supplements.
• Never exceed the recommended daily intake for any minerals and vitamins even if they are water soluble.