ITV’s frequent guest, Dr. Amir Khan, issued a concerning alert to millions of Good Morning Britain (GMB) viewers on Friday. The dedicated NHS GP joined the show remotely to address the topic of vitamin and mineral supplements.
This cautionary message follows a discovery by experts at Which? who found that online marketplaces are selling supplements with excessively high doses. Specifically, Vitamin D, Vitamin A, Vitamin B6, and Zinc supplements were scrutinized by Which? on various popular platforms. Dr. Amir Khan cautioned that certain online brands are offering products with dangerously elevated levels of vitamins and minerals.
Dr. Khan emphasized the misconception that “more is better” when it comes to vitamins and minerals, highlighting the potential harm of excessive intake. For instance, he pointed out that while Vitamin D supplementation is recommended during the months of October to April in the UK due to limited sunlight exposure, the NHS advises a daily intake of 10 micrograms. However, some brands are packaging doses as high as 1,250 micrograms, significantly exceeding safe limits.
Moreover, Dr. Khan warned about the adverse effects of excessive vitamin A on liver health, the impact of excess vitamin B6 on nerves, and the repercussions of too much zinc, commonly taken for colds, on iron absorption, potentially leading to anemia and affecting copper absorption.
Expressing concern over unregulated online brands and misleading labels, Dr. Amir emphasized the risks associated with a social media trend promoting ‘megadosing’ of vitamins and minerals. He urged individuals to opt for reputable or known brands, purchase supplements from pharmacies, adhere to recommended doses by the NHS or healthcare providers, and seek guidance from community pharmacists when in doubt.
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