Can
vitamin A be harmful?
Yes, high
intakes of some forms of vitamin A can be harmful.
Getting
too much preformed vitamin A (usually from supplements or certain medicines)
can cause dizziness, nausea, headaches, coma, and even death. High
intakes of preformed vitamin A in pregnant women can also cause birth defects
in their babies. Women who might be pregnant should not take high doses of
vitamin A supplements.
Consuming
high amounts of beta-carotene or other forms of provitamin A can turn the skin
yellow-orange, but this condition is harmless. High intakes of beta-carotene do
not cause birth defects or the other more serious effects caused by getting too
much preformed vitamin A.
The upper
limits for preformed vitamin A in IU are listed below. These levels do not
apply to people who are taking vitamin A for medical reasons under the care of
a doctor. Upper limits for beta-carotene and other forms of provitamin A have
not been established.
Life Stage
|
Upper Limit
|
Birth to
12 months
|
2,000 IU
|
Children
1–3 years
|
2,000 IU
|
Children
4–8 years
|
3,000 IU
|
Children
9–13 years
|
5,667 IU
|
Teens
14–18 years
|
9,333 IU
|
Adults
19 years and older
|
10,000 IU
|
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