Question:
Too many vitamins? Isn't that working the liver too hard?

On my last visit to my PCP, I told him I was off three of my four prescription meds now that I'm down 80+ lbs. It was with his encouragement, of course. He said that getting off those meds really has given my liver a break since it doesn't have to process all those meds. So I'm wondering, taking alot of vitamins.....isn't that working the liver just as hard as when I was taking prescription medicine? I take a multi, calcium citrate, dry E, dry A&D, C, Iron, Sublingual B-12. Am I overdoing it? I don't take them all at one, I spread them out over the course of the day, but still, isn't this alot of work on the liver and are all these vitamins really necessary?    — Annie H. (posted on June 16, 2002)

June 16, 2002
That's another reason why water is so necessary. It helps the liver and kidneys.
   — Leslie F.

June 16, 2002
I would follow my surgeons advice. I was told that a good multi /w iron, calcium citrate, and the sub ling. B-12 was all we needed.
   — cherokey55

June 16, 2002
You'll know if you're getting too much of anything when you compare your quarterly labs, and your annual full body dexascans. As to the liver having to work harder.... It works harder to try to extract those same vitamins from food (but unsuccessfully). When you have your papers in hand and compare one to another, you'll know if you're getting too much, not enough or just right. Your body needs the elements, and generally speaking, the vitamins are a more predictable way to deliver them than food, which is iffy, at best. Unless the iron is ferrous sulfate and the calcium is carbonate. Then there might be more damage than help, true.
   — vitalady

June 16, 2002
Hi again. I just noticed a boo-boo in my post to you....I meant to say that you should follow YOUR surgeons advice. Sorry for not being more clear...Good luck on your journey...so far you are doing wonderfully!! Congrats!!
   — cherokey55