What Are the Risks of Taking All Your Supplements at Once?

Learn about the potential risks associated with taking too many supplements at once. Understand how to keep track of vitamins and minerals with My Dietary Supplement and Medicine Record.

What Are the Risks of Taking All Your Supplements at Once?

Taking supplements can be beneficial for your health, but it's important to be aware of the potential risks associated with taking too many at once. While it's generally safe to take supplements in moderation, combining several supplements or taking doses higher than recommended may increase the risk of harm. The Office of Dietary Supplements at the National Institute of Health has a form called My Dietary Supplement and Medicine Record that you can print and complete. This form helps you keep track of the vitamins and minerals you're taking, as well as the daily value (DV) for each one.

The DV is the percentage of a nutrient that a supplement or serving of food adds to the average daily diet for all ages. It's important to note that once your body has used the vitamins and minerals it needs, any excess will be excreted or stored. This means that if you take too many supplements, you may be wasting money on nutrients that your body won't be able to use. In the United Kingdom, the Health Information and Food Supplements Service is funded by PAGB, the consumer healthcare association.

This organization represents manufacturers of over-the-counter medicines, personal care medical devices, and branded food supplements.