Ever since the pandemic, popping colorful vitamin gummies has become the new wellness ritual for many Indians. From glowing skin to stronger hair and boosted immunity, these tiny “health candies” promise it all — no prescription needed. But behind the hype and influencer-backed claims, doctors are seeing a different story unfold. Dr. B.A. Chaurasia, Consultant in Internal Medicine at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital, Mumbai, shares why this self-medication trend is worrying, how excessive supplements can harm vital organs, and what you really need to know before reaching for that next bottle of gummies.
In recent years, many Indians have started taking vitamin supplements - especially gummies - without prescriptions, claiming to improve hair, skin, nails, and even collagen levels. This trend seems to have grown rapidly after COVID-19. What’s driving this demand, and do these supplements actually work? How concerning is this trend from a medical point of view?
Dr. B.A Chaurasia: After COVID, people have become more aware and conscious about their health. However, the flip side of this has been self-medication by many people, which is not recommended. Any medication should be consumed as per a doctor’s advice. When doctors prescribe medicines, they explain the side effects, the dos and don’ts, etc. But, over-the-counter products like gummies often contain preservatives, oils, salts and other additives that cause harm. Buying multi-vitamins after observing it on social media ads is not advisable. If there are doubts, one should visit the doctor and ask which product is suitable for their individual requirement.
Can you share any patient examples (without revealing their identity) where excessive supplement intake led to toxicity or organ damage? Please share any detailed case study - such as the patient’s age, which supplement they were taking, for how long, the purpose of taking it, the health issues that followed, and how it was treated.
Dr. B.A Chaurasia: Many people today have lifestyles that involve stress due to their work, burning the midnight oil, improper diets, intoxication caused by smoking and alcohol consumption, and insomnia. The assumption is that multi-vitamins can effectively cut down all the side effects. Many young individuals - around 30–35 years old - consume multiple supplements daily for vitamin C and zinc deficiencies, hair, skin, pain relief, and even for sexual health. Sometimes they consume more than 8–10 different multivitamins because they are recommended by trainers or friends. They later come to us with stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, or rashes. We’ve also seen deranged liver enzymes, kidney stones due to high calcium intake, and gastritis. When we encounter such patients, we stop all over-the-counter multivitamins, do a full check-up, maintain hydration, and then start what is required based on their symptoms, reports, and age. People should remember that every person is different, so one specific tablet cannot suit everyone.
What are the possible side effects of overusing vitamins or minerals such as magnesium, vitamin C, zinc, and iron? Are there any other supplements you believe pose the greatest danger when consumed in excess?
Dr. B.A Chaurasia: In the gummy or chewable form, chronic intake or overuse of multivitamins can cause gastric irritation, peptic ulcers, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, and skin allergies. More serious but less common effects include kidney stones, interference with blood clotting, irregular heartbeat, and sometimes liver damage due to interactions with thyroid or other supplements. Some may even cause mild weight gain or lead to foul smelling urine.
Many people believe that “if it’s a vitamin, the body will flush out the excess.” Is that true for all vitamins?
Dr. B.A Chaurasia: No. Some vitamins can be flushed out, but others like calcium and magnesium remain in the body. Extra calcium and magnesium can cause kidney stones and lead to irregular heartbeats. Vitamin D and Calcium stay in the body, so excess intake can cause bone damage, heart issues, constipation, kidney stones, and gastritis.
Do you think the availability of colourful gummies and influencer marketing has made people take vitamins more casually?
Dr. B.A Chaurasia: Yes. People start taking gummies only because gym trainers, celebrities, or influencers promote them. However, these products are often marketed for business purposes. Without knowing the supplement’s content, side effects, or authenticity and checking whether it’s FDA-approved or genuine yet people still buy them. It’s important to remember that online/ social media recommendations can’t be the basis to buy such potentially harmful supplements.
Who actually needs supplements, and at what age should they ideally start? What are the medically recommended daily limits for common vitamins and minerals such as vitamin D, B12, and magnesium? In what situations do you generally prescribe them?
Dr. B.A Chaurasia: Multivitamins are mainly prescribed for:
• Athletes – as they need extra support.
• Pregnant or lactating women.
• Senior citizens (above 65) - to maintain strength and bone health.
Those who are sick or having any other medical conditions/ diseases.
If someone is healthy and eats a balanced diet induced with lean protein, carbs, and fats, they don’t require multivitamins unless a blood test shows a deficiency of B12, vitamin D, calcium, magnesium and folic acid levels are below normal, then supplements are required. We prescribe calcium, iron, and folic acid, omega 3 fatty acids, vitamin D, and Multivitamins tablets to older adults, sick patients, and pregnant women.
Those with limited sunlight exposure (like corporate employees who spend majority of time indoors in AC offices) require vitamin D supplements and vegetarian peoples require B 12 supplements.
Older generations usually need calcium and vitamin D; young ones may need vitamin D; and other supplementation should vary on age, illness, and deficiency.
How often should people get their vitamin levels tested before starting or continuing supplements?
Dr. B.A Chaurasia: It is advisable for individuals to get their vitamin levels checked every six months. If that’s not feasible, once a year is also advisable. In case any deficiency is detected, appropriate supplementation should be started under medical guidance, and follow-up tests after six months can help assess progress and dosages can be adjusted as per doctor’s instructions.
Once a deficiency is corrected, is it safe to continue taking the supplement as a “maintenance” dose?
Dr. B.A Chaurasia: Only for certain vitamins like vitamin D. If the levels rise to the required minimum, doctors usually prescribe a maintenance dose - typically once a month for a year and advice testing every six months. For vitamin B12, deficiency can recur, especially in vegetarians, so symptoms are monitored, and tests are repeated only if necessary. All supplements and tablets dosage depends on patient to patient basis According to their illness, age, life style habits
Should India have stronger regulations for over-the-counter (OTC) vitamin and supplement sales?
Dr. B.A Chaurasia: Yes, this should not be restricted just to vitamins but should apply to all medicines. Many people purchase medicines directly over the counter, which can cause damage either to the liver or kidneys if taken without proper guidance. It’s important for authorities to ensure responsible sale of medicines and encourage prescriptions wherever possible. Clearer rules and promoting trusted, verified medicines can help keep people safe.
In recent years, many Indians have started taking vitamin supplements - especially gummies - without prescriptions, claiming to improve hair, skin, nails, and even collagen levels. This trend seems to have grown rapidly after COVID-19. What’s driving this demand, and do these supplements actually work? How concerning is this trend from a medical point of view?
Dr. B.A Chaurasia: After COVID, people have become more aware and conscious about their health. However, the flip side of this has been self-medication by many people, which is not recommended. Any medication should be consumed as per a doctor’s advice. When doctors prescribe medicines, they explain the side effects, the dos and don’ts, etc. But, over-the-counter products like gummies often contain preservatives, oils, salts and other additives that cause harm. Buying multi-vitamins after observing it on social media ads is not advisable. If there are doubts, one should visit the doctor and ask which product is suitable for their individual requirement.
Can you share any patient examples (without revealing their identity) where excessive supplement intake led to toxicity or organ damage? Please share any detailed case study - such as the patient’s age, which supplement they were taking, for how long, the purpose of taking it, the health issues that followed, and how it was treated.
Dr. B.A Chaurasia: Many people today have lifestyles that involve stress due to their work, burning the midnight oil, improper diets, intoxication caused by smoking and alcohol consumption, and insomnia. The assumption is that multi-vitamins can effectively cut down all the side effects. Many young individuals - around 30–35 years old - consume multiple supplements daily for vitamin C and zinc deficiencies, hair, skin, pain relief, and even for sexual health. Sometimes they consume more than 8–10 different multivitamins because they are recommended by trainers or friends. They later come to us with stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, or rashes. We’ve also seen deranged liver enzymes, kidney stones due to high calcium intake, and gastritis. When we encounter such patients, we stop all over-the-counter multivitamins, do a full check-up, maintain hydration, and then start what is required based on their symptoms, reports, and age. People should remember that every person is different, so one specific tablet cannot suit everyone.
What are the possible side effects of overusing vitamins or minerals such as magnesium, vitamin C, zinc, and iron? Are there any other supplements you believe pose the greatest danger when consumed in excess?
Dr. B.A Chaurasia: In the gummy or chewable form, chronic intake or overuse of multivitamins can cause gastric irritation, peptic ulcers, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, and skin allergies. More serious but less common effects include kidney stones, interference with blood clotting, irregular heartbeat, and sometimes liver damage due to interactions with thyroid or other supplements. Some may even cause mild weight gain or lead to foul smelling urine.
Many people believe that “if it’s a vitamin, the body will flush out the excess.” Is that true for all vitamins?
Dr. B.A Chaurasia: No. Some vitamins can be flushed out, but others like calcium and magnesium remain in the body. Extra calcium and magnesium can cause kidney stones and lead to irregular heartbeats. Vitamin D and Calcium stay in the body, so excess intake can cause bone damage, heart issues, constipation, kidney stones, and gastritis.
Do you think the availability of colourful gummies and influencer marketing has made people take vitamins more casually?
Dr. B.A Chaurasia: Yes. People start taking gummies only because gym trainers, celebrities, or influencers promote them. However, these products are often marketed for business purposes. Without knowing the supplement’s content, side effects, or authenticity and checking whether it’s FDA-approved or genuine yet people still buy them. It’s important to remember that online/ social media recommendations can’t be the basis to buy such potentially harmful supplements.
Who actually needs supplements, and at what age should they ideally start? What are the medically recommended daily limits for common vitamins and minerals such as vitamin D, B12, and magnesium? In what situations do you generally prescribe them?
Dr. B.A Chaurasia: Multivitamins are mainly prescribed for:
• Athletes – as they need extra support.
• Pregnant or lactating women.
• Senior citizens (above 65) - to maintain strength and bone health.
Those who are sick or having any other medical conditions/ diseases.
If someone is healthy and eats a balanced diet induced with lean protein, carbs, and fats, they don’t require multivitamins unless a blood test shows a deficiency of B12, vitamin D, calcium, magnesium and folic acid levels are below normal, then supplements are required. We prescribe calcium, iron, and folic acid, omega 3 fatty acids, vitamin D, and Multivitamins tablets to older adults, sick patients, and pregnant women.
Those with limited sunlight exposure (like corporate employees who spend majority of time indoors in AC offices) require vitamin D supplements and vegetarian peoples require B 12 supplements.
Older generations usually need calcium and vitamin D; young ones may need vitamin D; and other supplementation should vary on age, illness, and deficiency.
How often should people get their vitamin levels tested before starting or continuing supplements?
Dr. B.A Chaurasia: It is advisable for individuals to get their vitamin levels checked every six months. If that’s not feasible, once a year is also advisable. In case any deficiency is detected, appropriate supplementation should be started under medical guidance, and follow-up tests after six months can help assess progress and dosages can be adjusted as per doctor’s instructions.
Once a deficiency is corrected, is it safe to continue taking the supplement as a “maintenance” dose?
Dr. B.A Chaurasia: Only for certain vitamins like vitamin D. If the levels rise to the required minimum, doctors usually prescribe a maintenance dose - typically once a month for a year and advice testing every six months. For vitamin B12, deficiency can recur, especially in vegetarians, so symptoms are monitored, and tests are repeated only if necessary. All supplements and tablets dosage depends on patient to patient basis According to their illness, age, life style habits
Should India have stronger regulations for over-the-counter (OTC) vitamin and supplement sales?
Dr. B.A Chaurasia: Yes, this should not be restricted just to vitamins but should apply to all medicines. Many people purchase medicines directly over the counter, which can cause damage either to the liver or kidneys if taken without proper guidance. It’s important for authorities to ensure responsible sale of medicines and encourage prescriptions wherever possible. Clearer rules and promoting trusted, verified medicines can help keep people safe.
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