The requested URL /forums/showthread.php?169-B12-overdose-megadose was not found on this server. Additionally, a 404 Not Found error was encountered while trying to use an ErrorDocument to handle the request.Pregnant women who overdose on folate and vitamin B12 may increase the risk of autism in their babies, controversial research has shown. Taking too many folate supplements may double the chances of a mother’s child developing the developmental disorder, while very high vitamin B12 could triple the likelihood of autism, according to scientists from Johns Hopkins University. The researchers said excessive levels of both nutrients boosted the risk level 17.6 times. Excessive amounts of folate may also cause harm. We must aim for optimal levels The study, which has not yet been peer-reviewed, has been condemned as alarmist by other scientists, who warned expectant mothers to treat the findings with extreme caution. Women are currently advised to take supplements of folic acid, the synthetic version of the B vitamin folate, during early pregnancy to reduce the risk of disabling or fatal birth defects such as spina bifida.
But the new research from the US suggests that mothers-to-be should exercise care when attempting to ensure a sufficient intake of folate and B12. Senior study author Dr Daniele Fallin, director of the Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School's Wendy Klag Center for Autism and Developmental Disabilities, said: "Adequate supplementation is protective: that's still the story with folic acid. "We have long known that a folate deficiency in pregnant mothers is detrimental to her child's development. But what this tells us is that excessive amounts may also cause harm. We must aim for optimal levels of this important nutrient." Autism is a "spectrum" condition with a wide range of severity that impairs an individual's ability to communicate and interact socially. Both genetic and environmental factors are thought to play a role in its development. For the study, researchers analysed data from 1,391 mother-child pairs in the Boston Birth Cohort, a mostly low-income US population group.
Mothers, recruited between 1998 and 2013, had their blood folate levels checked once within the first three days after giving birth. One in 10 were found to have very high levels of folate, defined as more than 59 nanomoles per litre of blood plasma, which was associated with a doubling of autism risk. Similarly, 6% had excess levels of vitamin B12 which also increased the chances of a baby developing autism. High levels of both nutrients raised the risk dramatically. Why some of the women in the study had so much folate in their bloodstreams remains a mystery, although many were taking multivitamin supplements. They may have consumed too much folic acid-fortified food or too many supplements, or could have a genetic make-up that increased folate absorption in their bodies, said the scientists who presented their findings at the 2016 International Meeting for Autism Research in Baltimore, US. More research is needed to provide a better idea of how much folate a woman should consume during pregnancy to provide her with optimal levels of the nutrient, the team added.
Lead author co-author Ramkripa Raghavan, from the Bloomberg School's Department of Population, Family and Reproductive Health, said: "This research suggests that this could be the case of too much of a good thing. "We tell women to be sure to get folate early in pregnancy. What we need to figure out now is whether there should be additional recommendations about just what an optimal dose is throughout pregnancy."B Vitamins or also called Vitamin B Complex. These mainly consist of eight B vitamins including four additional vitamins. Vitamin B complex consists of: Among these, the most individually used B vitamins are Vitamins B1, B6, B2 and B12. The daily requirements for these vitamins can be taken from natural food sources such as green leafy vegetables, lean meats, organ meats and legumes. In individuals with poor oral intake and unable to get much of the B vitamins in food, a dietary supplement may be taken. The lack of vitamin B in the body leads to deficiencies in the form of pernicious anemia, megaloblastic anemia and peripheral neuropathies.
Vitamin B should be taken as a dietary supplement following the prescription of a doctor. Vitamin B complex is water-soluble; thereby it is excreted through the urine. However, any excessive intake of such, higher than the upper tolerable limit may cause over dosage and health consequences. The recommended intake of B vitamins is based on the table below. Any excessive intake beyond this limit may cause over dosage. Vitamins B1, B2, B3, B6, B9 and B12 are the most common types of B vitamins that can cause over dosage. Other types of B vitamins are tolerated well by the body and are usually not given through oral supplementation. They occur naturally in foods. Being water soluble vitamins, Vitamin B complex is not stored inside the cells; rather they are excreted in the urine. Because of this, the risk for over dosage is not likely. However, when normal individuals do not need high amounts of vitamin B exceeding the tolerable limit, they are usually at risk for developing over dosage.
Over dosage from the B vitamins causes osmosis of water from the interstitial space to the intravascular space in order to dilute the large doses and promote excretion through the urine. Symptoms of Vitamin B over dosage include: These symptoms are the compensatory mechanism of the body to eliminate the excessive vitamins through the bladder and bowels. Specific symptoms related to the overuse of the B vitamins include: Over dosage of B vitamins also lead to complications or long-term effects. The complications also vary according to the specific B vitamins. Over dosage of Vitamin B1 produces a negative effect on the heart and brain. The most common long-term effect is hypertension and palpitations. Aside from these, the brain also is over stimulated leading to mood changes and agitation. The primary complication of Vitamin B2 over dosage is anemia. An overdose of this vitamin can result in hyperglycemia, hyperuricemia, jaundice, calcium loss and hyperacidity.
Excessive vitamin B6 in the body can yield hypertension, palpitations, mood problems and hypoglycemia. Just like vitamin B2, the result of vitamin B9 excess is anemia. Both deficiency states and excessive levels of B9 can result to anemia. Excessive levels of cyanocobalamin can cause hyperthyroidism. Causes and risk factors for vitamin B overdose include: The main cause of Vitamin B overdose is a high supplemental intake of the B vitamins. Over dosage does not usually result from dietary or food intake rich in Vitamin B complex. Instead, the oral supplementation can yield such. Physicians prescribe the right amount of B vitamins to be taken according to the case of the patient. Normal individuals do not usually need supplements because B vitamins are readily available from food sources. The Vitamin B complex is excreted from the body through urine. Chronic renal failure may result in over dosage in people taking vitamin B supplements in large amounts because of the inability of the kidneys to adequately form urine and release toxins in the body.
Diagnosis begins with a complete medical history to assess any intake of Vitamin B pills. The medical history is also checked to determine any underlying diseases requiring Vitamin B supplementation such as pernicious anemia, megaloblastic anemia or peripheral neuropathies. A serum test is usually done to determine the exact amount of the vitamins in the blood. Treatment regimens for vitamin B overdose include measures to enhance the elimination from the body. The initial step in any drug over dosage is stopping the intake of the drug. Patients should immediately consult a physician for symptoms to immediately stop the administration that would further intensify the condition when patients are not informed of an over dose. The emergency measure for ingestion of large amounts of Vitamin B is to induce vomiting as soon as possible to prevent the movement into the intestines and prevent absorption. Vomiting is induced using medications. Alternatives include warm water mixed with high amounts of sugar.
Vitamin B is water soluble hence; they are eliminated in the urine. To enhance this, patients should take high amounts of fluids in a relative short period of time to flush the vitamins out of the body. Intravenous fluids may also be given to increase circulating blood volume and increase the glomerular filtration rate (the rate of blood flow to the kidneys and the production of urine). Activated charcoal functions as a medium where the excessive toxins will adhere. Activated charcoal adsorbs (particles attach to the surface of the charcoal) the toxins to prevent absorption in the intestines. Since the B vitamins are already attached to the charcoal, it is then eliminated through the stool. Sometimes, a gastric lavage is done to evacuate the activated charcoal with the toxins from the stomach. Gastric lavage involves the instillation of normal saline solution through a tube from the nose going to the stomach. The fluid washes off the surface of the gastric mucosa. The fluid is then aspirated again and another instillation is made to make sure that the stomach is clear with the toxins.