Water soluble vitamins
- Include vitamin C, vitamin B1 (thiamin), niacin, riboflavin, B6, B12, pantothenic acid, biotin, folic acid
- Not stored in body; must be replaced each day
- Excess eliminated in the urine
- Can be toxic at high doses. Consuming excess amounts of water-soluble vitamins can cause dangerous side effects:
- Large amounts of niacin can cause severe flushing, skin disorders, liver damage, ulcers, and blood sugar disorders, interfere with fat metabolism and speed up glycogen depletion
- Large doses of vitamin C have been associated with diarrhea, kidney stone formation, and impaired copper absorption
- Excess vitamin B6 can cause neurological symptoms similar to multiple sclerosis, including numbness and tingling of the hands, difficulty in walking, and electric shocks shooting down the spine.
- Vitamins, however, do not:
- Prevent or cure any disease (including the common cold), except those related to specific vitamin deficiencies Provide energy
- Help a child or adolescent mature faster or become stronger, or
- Enhance athletic performance.
