Vitamin B is a set of eight different vitamins: thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, pantothenic acid, pyridoxine, biotin, folate, and cobalamin. Symptoms of a vitamin B overdose, also known as vitamin B toxicity, are found to occur in three of the B vitamins: niacin, pyridoxine, and folate. The remaining five B vitamins are not associated with any known toxicity.
Niacin (vitamin B3) is responsible for a number of functions in the nervous and digestive systems. Niacin has a recommended daily intake of 14 to 16 milligrams per day for adults; its established upper intake is 35 milligrams. Getting large doses above the tolerable level for an extended period of time can cause serious side effects. When the body is experiencing niacin toxicity, vitamin B overdose symptoms can include rashes, damage to the liver, and digestive complications including ulcers.
Pyridoxine (vitamin B6) is involved in the nervous system and the circulatory system. The Harvard School of Public Health reports that the recommended daily intake of vitamin B6 is between one and two milligrams per day with the upper tolerable intake sitting at 100 milligrams. Overdose of vitamin B6 is generally only associated with supplements rather than food. With too much pyridoxine, vitamin B overdose symptoms can include nerve damage characterized by numbness and pain.
Folate or folic acid (vitamin B9) is involved in DNA metabolism, production of red blood cells, and tissue growth. According to the Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University, adults should receive 400 micrograms of folate per day with an upper limit of about 1,000 micrograms in a day. WebMD reports that in some cases, an excess of folic acid can cause digestive issues like cramping and diarrhea, neurological issues including a sleep disorder and confusion, and skin rashes.
Finally, there are the B vitamins with little to no possibility for toxicity. According to the National Institutes of Health, there is no upper limit for intake of thiamine (vitamin B1), riboflavin (vitamin B2), or biotin (vitamin B7). High levels of pantothenic acid (vitamin B5) may cause diarrhea in some cases, but it is nontoxic. It is impossible to experience an overdose of vitamin B12 because the body can only absorb so much of it. There are no symptoms of a vitamin B overdose associated with these vitamins; they possess no known toxicity.
The B vitamins, also known as vitamin B complex, are eight essential nutrients responsible for a number of functions in the body. In normal doses, they are highly beneficial, but when taken in excess, some B vitamins begin to cause adverse side effects. Niacin, pyrodixine, and folate are safe even when double the recommended intake is taken, but they become counterproductive with more than the tolerable upper intake. Anyone with questions or concerns about vitamin B overdose symptoms should talk to their doctor.
References:
Folic Acid. Linus Pauling Institute. Oregon State University.
Folic Acid. WebMD.
Thiamin (thiamine), vitamin B1. National Institutes of Health.
Three of the Bs: Folate, Vitamin B6, and Vitamin B12. Harvard School of Public Health.
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