Megavitamin therapy
Megavitamin therapy

Background

Megavitamin therapy, also known as megadose vitamin therapy or orthomolecular therapy, involves taking vitamins in doses that greatly exceed the recommended dietary allowance (RDA). The RDA refers to the recommended nutritional intake levels that have been established by the Food and Nutrition Board. These intake levels vary depending on age, gender, overall health and eating habits.

Vitamins are nutrients that are essential to body development and function. There are 13 essential vitamins that the body needs: vitamins A, C, D, E, K, and the B vitamins (thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, pantothenic acid, biotin, vitamin B-6, vitamin B-12, and folate). Each vitamin plays a different role in the body.

There are two main types of vitamins: fat-soluble and water-soluble. Fat-soluble vitamins include vitamins A, D, E and K. Water soluble vitamins include vitamin C and the B vitamins. The body does not store large amounts of water-soluble vitamins, so they need to be regularly replaced. Fat-soluble vitamins are stored in the liver and fatty tissues and are eliminated slowly. Therefore, fat-soluble vitamins are more likely to cause toxicity than water-soluble vitamins.

Although megavitamin therapy primarily refers to vitamins, minerals and other supplements may also be given under this name.

People use this for...

Megavitamin therapy has been used for cancer, heart disease, the common cold, and mental disorders such as schizophrenia and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Megavitamin therapy represents different supplements that are used alone or in combination. See specific vitamins for effectiveness information.

Natural Medicines rates effectiveness based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Effective, Likely Effective, Possibly Effective, Possibly Ineffective, Likely Ineffective, Ineffective, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate.

Dosing & administration

    Adverse effects

    Interactions with pharmaceuticals

    None known.

    Interactions with herbs & supplements

    Megavitamin therapy represents different supplements used alone or in combination. See specific vitamins for information regarding interactions.

    Interactions with foods

    Megavitamin therapy represents different supplements used alone or in combination. See specific vitamins for information regarding interactions.

    Interactions with lab tests

    Megavitamin therapy represents different supplements used alone or in combination. See specific vitamins for information regarding interactions.

    Interactions with diseases

    Megavitamin therapy represents different supplements used alone or in combination. See specific vitamins for information regarding interactions.

    Mechanism of action

    Advocates of megavitamin therapy believe that consuming vitamins or nutrients in large doses could correct abnormalities in the body and reverse certain conditions.

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    This monograph was last reviewed on 21/05/2015 20:54:38 and last updated on 21/05/2015 23:16:36. Monographs are reviewed and/or updated multiple times per month and at least once per year.
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