With a bounty of ultra-fortified food — from energy drinks to cereal to power bars — on the market, is it possible to get too many nutrients?
The chances are slim, but there are things to keep in mind, nutritionists say. Those who eat more than one heavily fortified product a day should check labels, especially if they also take a multivitamin.
Among the advice: Be wary of exceeding the recommended daily intake of fat-soluble vitamins A and D, which can be toxic at high levels. (Vitamin A from beta carotene isn't a concern.) Most food manufacturers keep levels of those two vitamins low to prevent this from happening.
It's a good idea to read the nutrition label and know the recommended serving size for a product. People often eat double servings of cereal, which means double helpings of fortification, says Lola O'Rourke of the American Dietetic Association.
Getting enough iron and folic acid is important for women of childbearing age. But men and postmenopausal women should check iron levels in heavily fortified products; eating too much can cause constipation.
Some studies have shown that excess iron may be associated with a higher risk for cancer and heart disease for men, O'Rourke says.