Information
and Advice About Vitamins
Supplements and Pills: UK Food Standards Agency
Safety Advice on Vitamins From UK Food
Standards Agency (May 2003)
New advice on vitamins and minerals that
could have possible harmful effects if taken in too high a dose was published
May 2003 (London) by the UK Food Standards Agency. The advice follows
the publication of the report of the Expert Group on Vitamins and Minerals
(EVM), which makes recommendations on 31 vitamins and minerals.
This is the most comprehensive review of
the safety of vitamins and minerals undertaken in Europe to date. The
process involved an assessment of more than 10,000 pieces of evidence
on any harmful effects associated with each vitamin and mineral including
an examination of international research.
For Main Recommendations, see Vitamins
Information
Notes on Vitamins Report
1. The Expert Group on Vitamins and Minerals
(EVM) carried out a detailed nutritional and toxicological review of 34
vitamins and minerals, with particular reference to safety in long-term
use. Safe upper levels were suggested for eight of them, guidance suggested
for 23, and statements were issued for three minerals. Guidance was given
where there was not enough evidence to suggest a safe upper level for
a particular vitamin or mineral. Guidance and safe upper levels were set
for total intake from food, supplements, or a combination of the two.
The EVM is an independent group made up of 11 members from the medical
and scientific community, one lay member, and four observers representing
consumer organisations, the health and food industries, and alternative
medicine interests.
2. Supplements are recommended for certain
groups of people:
- Women of child bearing age and pregnant
women (until the 12th week of pregnancy) should take a daily dietary
supplement of 0.4mg folic acid and eat plenty of folate-rich foods in
order to reduce the risk of neural tube defects in their babies.
- Some women with high menstrual blood
losses may need to take iron supplements, as advised by their doctor.
- If you are pregnant or breastfeeding,
you should take supplements containing 10 micrograms (0.01mg) of vitamin
D per day. Some older people may need to consider taking vitamin D as
advised by their doctor.
- Pregnant women, or women who are thinking
of becoming pregnant, should not take supplements of vitamin A, except
on the advice of their doctor. This is because there is an association
between very high levels of retinol (a source of vitamin A) consumption
during pregnancy and the incidence of some birth defects. As an additional
precaution, pregnant women should not eat liver or liver products as
these are a very rich source of retinol.
- From the age of six months to two years
(or five if they are not eating a wide enough range of foods), most
young children will benefit from vitamin drops (A, C, and D). These
are available free of charge from health clinics for children under
five years of age in families receiving Income Support or an income-based
Job Seekers' Allowance.
3. A varied and balanced diet, which includes
plenty of fruit, vegetables, and starchy foods, and moderate amounts of
dairy products, meat, fish, and meat alternatives will provide all the
nutrients that most people need without having to take supplements.
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For Main Recommendations of Report, see
Vitamins Information
See also:
Vitamin Supplements
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