A neurologist has warned that some common supplements can be harmful to the brain if taken in excess.
A neurologist has issued a stark warning regarding dietary supplements, cautioning that certain ones could prove “toxic” to the brain. Failing to stick to recommended dosages of these tablets could cause harm to your brain and nervous system, according to the expert.
Many people depend on daily supplements to guarantee they receive sufficient vitamins and minerals that might be missing from their regular meals. Some also find it difficult to absorb these essential nutrients from food alone and require additional support.
While these supplements can therefore prove vital, they may also pose risks when used improperly. With this concern in mind, one specialist highlighted three supplements that could “harm” the brain when consumed excessively.
Speaking via social media platform TikTok, neurologist Doctor Baibing Chen – recognised online as Dr Bing – cautioned people against consuming “too much” of these particular supplements.
Zinc
Dr Bing outlined that this mineral is commonly taken as a supplement to boost immune function and ward off colds. He explained: “It’s found in multivitamins, lozenges, and even some over-the-counter cold remedies.
“Now, zinc is essential for our bodies and can be found in multiple food sources. But the problem is when people take supplements daily for months, they can easily go over the safe limit.”
According to Dr Bing, consuming “too much” zinc can disrupt copper absorption. He explained: “Copper is essential for your nervous system. And low copper levels can cause something called myeloneuropathy, which is damage to the spinal cord and your peripheral nerves leading to things like numbness, tingling and trouble walking.
“And I’ve seen several cases of this where people come in with progressive weakness and sensory loss due to copper deficiency from long-term zinc overuse.” The NHS similarly cautions that consuming high doses of zinc diminishes the body’s ability to absorb copper.
“This can lead to anaemia and weakening of the bones,” it states. Consequently, the Department of Health and Social Care advises against taking more than 25mg of zinc supplements daily “unless advised to by a doctor”.
Vitamin A
Vitamin A, alternatively referred to as retinol, serves several vital functions within the body. These include bolstering your body’s natural defences against illness and infection, supporting vision in low light conditions, and maintaining healthy skin.
Dr Bing explained: “Vitamin A is fat soluble which means that it stores in your liver and it can accumulate over time. Too much of this can lead to a condition called pseudotumor cerebri, which is increased pressure in the brain that mimics a brain tumour, causing headaches, blurred vision, and even permanent vision loss.”
The NHS states: “If you take a supplement that contains vitamin A, do not take too much because this could be harmful.” Expectant mothers should also steer clear of vitamin A supplements unless their GP has specifically recommended them.
The health service explains that consuming an average of 1.5mg daily or less of vitamin A through food and supplements combined is “unlikely to cause any harm”.
Vitamin D
This essential vitamin plays a crucial role in maintaining healthy bones and muscles. The majority of our vitamin D requirements come from sunlight exposure.
In the UK, the Government therefore recommends taking a vitamin D supplement daily during the autumn and winter. However, you have to be careful about how much you take.
“Taking too high doses of vitamin D can cause calcium to build up in your blood, which can affect the brain, leading to things like confusion, fatigue, depression, and sometimes even psychosis,” Dr Bing said. “So while these vitamins and minerals are essential for our bodies to function, moderation is key, like almost everything else in life, and more is not always better.”
The NHS explains: “Taking too many vitamin D supplements over a long period of time can cause too much calcium to build up in the body (hypercalcaemia). This can weaken the bones and damage the kidneys and the heart.
“If you choose to take vitamin D supplements, 10 micrograms a day will be enough for most people.” The health authority cautions against exceeding 100 micrograms (4,000 IU) of vitamin D daily, as this could “be harmful”.