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Doctors Warn: Taking Too Much Of These Vitamins Could Harm Your Heart

October 28, 2025 by Faith Geiger

 
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Taking daily vitamins can be a great move for your overall health, especially if there are nutrient gaps in your diet. However, it’s important to be aware of the risks at hand when it comes to supplements. Certain varieties can actually be damaging to your health and safety, especially when taken in excess. Your heart, in particular, could be a risk if you’re overdoing it in the supplement department.

To shed some light on a few potentially dangerous options, we spoke to health experts Dr. Peter Brukner and Dr. Michael Lahey. They warned against vitamin E, vitamin D, iron, and omega-3 fatty acids. Learn more about the risks of taking high doses of each below.

1. Vitamin E

Vitamin E is known for its antioxidant properties, which can certainly be helpful for your health. However, Dr. Lahey warns that taking it in large doses can be dangerous. "Large doses of vitamin E, greater than 400 international units a day, have been associated with hemorrhagic stroke and heart failure," he tells us. He emphasizes that it’s better to get vitamin E from whole foods rather than supplements. "I suggest you obtain your dose of vitamin E from foods such as nuts and seeds, spinach, and such like," he suggests. Got it!

2. Vitamin D

Vitamin D is crucial for having healthy, strong bones, but if you consume too much of it, "it can make the level of calcium in your blood go high, which might be bad for health," says Dr. Brukner.

Furthermore, "When there is too much calcium in your blood, it can cause kidney stones and other big health issues. In the stomach area, high amounts of vitamin D can interfere with how the body takes in other nutrients, which might result in constipation or diarrhea." Noted!

3. Iron Supplements

Excessive iron has been linked to gastrointestinal problems like constipation, nausea, and abdominal pain. Over time, this can impact the liver, resulting in serious damage. While iron is important for overall health, taking too much of it can lead to health problems.

"Taking too much iron can lead to a problem called iron overload. This condition is not good for the liver and other organs in the body. It also might cause issues with digestion, like constipation and stomach pain. Also, having too much iron can disturb the balance of good and bad bacteria in your stomach, causing inflammation and other digestion issues," says Dr. Brukner.

4. Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Most people take omega-3 fatty acids for their potential benefits for inflammation, heart health, and improving cognitive function. While these are all important, you should be careful not to take it in excess, especially if you're on blood thinners.

"Omega-3s are usually very healthy, but taking too much can cause some problems. High doses might raise the chance of bleeding and could make your heartbeat irregular. They can also lead to stomach issues such as bloating and gas if you take large amounts," he notes.

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