Excess micronutrient intake: defining toxic effects and upper limits in vulnerable populations
Vanessa Pike1, Stanley Zlotkin1,2,3,4,5
1The Centre for Global Child Health, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences
|December 21, 2018
Summary
Excessive micronutrient intake can cause adverse health effects, especially with overlapping delivery programs. Establishing consistent upper intake levels (ULs) is crucial for public health guidance, particularly for children.
Area of Science:
- Nutritional Science
- Public Health
- Toxicology
Background:
- Excessive micronutrient intake poses health risks, impacting public health interventions.
- Overlapping micronutrient delivery programs increase the risk of excessive intake.
- Existing upper intake levels (ULs) lack international consensus, especially for pediatric populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the evidence for micronutrient toxicity and the establishment of ULs.
- To compare ULs set by different international organizations.
- To identify challenges and opportunities in risk assessment for ULs.
Main Methods:
- Comparative analysis of ULs from nine organizations.
- Review of recent population nutrient intake data.
- Examination of toxic effects of key vitamins and minerals.
Main Results:
- Variability exists in the application of risk assessment frameworks for ULs.
- Evidence for toxicity and ULs is scarce, particularly for children.
- Downward weight-based extrapolation from adult ULs for children is often inappropriate.
Conclusions:
- There is a need for greater international consensus on ULs.
- Strengthening the evidence base and risk assessment methods is essential.
- Accurate ULs are critical for safe and effective micronutrient interventions.
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