Q: You mention that one shouldn't take more than 2,500 IU of Vitamin A or it ceases being effective as an antioxidant. I take Lipitor. My multivitamin has 3,500 IU of vitamin A and High Health Allergy 10, which has 2,500 IU per dose. I've mentioned both of these to my doctor—he doesn't seem to think there should be a problem. What would you suggest?
A: The risk of Vitamin A in high doses is that it can demineralize your bones (making them weaker). Your doc may know the results of a bone scan. If that shows no demineralization, the Vitamin A may not be a significant risk to you. But more than 2,500 IU of vitamin A also slightly increase risk of liver and lung cancer. The Lipitor pertains more to your vitamin E and Vitamin C doses than A doses. Lipitor has three benefits to your arteries—it decreases the lousy LDL and increases the healthy HDL cholesterol and also inhibits inflammation. (The latter inflammation effect appears to be 40 percent or so of the benefit of Lipitor in a typical person.) Vitamin C greater than 100 mg a day in supplements and vitamin E in doses greater than 100 IU a day inhibit the anti-inflammatory effect of Lipitor. So check your vitamin pills out for these. |
