Latest news with #PankajSoni
Economic Times
19 hours ago
- Health
- Economic Times
How taking Vitamin A, B12, D or Biotin without doctor's advice may harm your liver, kidneys, cause birth defects, and more health issues
Vitamin D, B12, magnesium and biotin supplements have become very popular in recent times. But experts warn that taking them without a doctor's advice can cause more harm than good. According to Dr Suranjit Chatterjee, senior consultant at Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals, not getting enough nutrients can lead to health problems like weak bones and anaemia. But taking too much, especially of fat-soluble vitamins like A and D, can also be dangerous. 'Optimal nutrient levels support immune function, energy production and mental health. For instance, adequate magnesium intake is linked to improved mood and reduced anxiety,' he told TOI. Doctors say that before starting any supplement, people should consult a healthcare professional. A doctor can recommend the right supplement after checking the person's health, diet, and blood reports. As per Dr Pankaj Soni, principal director, Internal Medicine at Fortis Escorts, Okhla, fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K) should be taken after meals that contain some fat. Even a small amount of dairy will help absorption. 'Water-soluble vitamins like B-complex and C should be taken on an empty stomach with water,' he added. Most minerals can be taken at any time of the day. Dr Anurag Mahajan, vice-chairman and senior consultant at PSRI Hospital, said supplements are not necessary for everyone. 'Some people over 80 remain healthy without any supplements because they eat well and live healthily,' he told TOI. However, calcium and vitamin D3 may still be needed, especially for post-menopausal Meenakshi Jain, senior director at Max Hospital, Patparganj, added, 'Blood tests are very important in finding out what nutrients you are low on. And once a person starts taking supplements, they should stop only if a doctor says so.' She warned against stopping or continuing supplements without medical too many supplements can also lead to toxicity. According to doctors: Too much Vitamin A can cause liver problems, nausea, blurred vision and even birth defects. Excess Vitamin D can lead to kidney damage, high calcium levels, and weak muscles. Too much B12 is mostly safe, but may trigger acne or react with some medicines. Excess folic acid can hide B12 deficiency and cause nerve issues. Too much magnesium can cause diarrhoea, irregular heartbeat and breathing problems. Biotin, if taken in large doses, may affect lab test results and cause confusion in diagnoses. Zinc overdose can cause nausea, headaches, and lower the immune system's strength. Dr Arjun Dang, CEO of Dr Dangs Lab, shared with TOI that tests for Vitamin D and B12 are the most commonly requested, especially by people aged 30–50 who face tiredness and lifestyle issues. 'We see many young adults in their 20s, especially vegetarians and vegans, getting tested for B12,' he said. He added that the number of such tests has gone up over the last decade due to increased health awareness, easy access to health information online, and the post-pandemic focus on personal well-being. Inputs from TOI
Time of India
20 hours ago
- Health
- Time of India
How taking Vitamin A, B12, D or Biotin without doctor's advice may harm your liver, kidneys, cause birth defects, and more health issues
Vitamin D , B12, magnesium and biotin supplements have become very popular in recent times. But experts warn that taking them without a doctor's advice can cause more harm than good. According to Dr Suranjit Chatterjee, senior consultant at Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals, not getting enough nutrients can lead to health problems like weak bones and anaemia. But taking too much, especially of fat-soluble vitamins like A and D, can also be dangerous. 'Optimal nutrient levels support immune function, energy production and mental health. For instance, adequate magnesium intake is linked to improved mood and reduced anxiety,' he told TOI. Doctors say that before starting any supplement, people should consult a healthcare professional . A doctor can recommend the right supplement after checking the person's health, diet, and blood reports. As per Dr Pankaj Soni, principal director, Internal Medicine at Fortis Escorts, Okhla, fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K) should be taken after meals that contain some fat. Even a small amount of dairy will help absorption. 'Water-soluble vitamins like B-complex and C should be taken on an empty stomach with water,' he added. Most minerals can be taken at any time of the day. Live Events Dr Anurag Mahajan, vice-chairman and senior consultant at PSRI Hospital, said supplements are not necessary for everyone. 'Some people over 80 remain healthy without any supplements because they eat well and live healthily,' he told TOI. However, calcium and vitamin D3 may still be needed, especially for post-menopausal women. Dr Meenakshi Jain, senior director at Max Hospital, Patparganj, added, 'Blood tests are very important in finding out what nutrients you are low on. And once a person starts taking supplements, they should stop only if a doctor says so.' She warned against stopping or continuing supplements without medical advice. Taking too many supplements can also lead to toxicity. According to doctors: Too much Vitamin A can cause liver problems, nausea, blurred vision and even birth defects. Excess Vitamin D can lead to kidney damage, high calcium levels, and weak muscles. Too much B12 is mostly safe, but may trigger acne or react with some medicines. Excess folic acid can hide B12 deficiency and cause nerve issues. Too much magnesium can cause diarrhoea, irregular heartbeat and breathing problems. Biotin, if taken in large doses, may affect lab test results and cause confusion in diagnoses. Zinc overdose can cause nausea, headaches, and lower the immune system's strength. Dr Arjun Dang, CEO of Dr Dangs Lab, shared with TOI that tests for Vitamin D and B12 are the most commonly requested, especially by people aged 30–50 who face tiredness and lifestyle issues. 'We see many young adults in their 20s, especially vegetarians and vegans, getting tested for B12,' he said. He added that the number of such tests has gone up over the last decade due to increased health awareness, easy access to health information online, and the post-pandemic focus on personal well-being. Inputs from TOI
Time of India
20 hours ago
- Health
- Time of India
Popping dietary supplements recklessly? Experts warn caution
New Delhi: Dietary supplements like vitamin D, B12, magnesium and biotin have gained widespread popularity in recent times. However, experts warn that consuming them without proper medical supervision may result in nutritional imbalances or toxicity and do more harm than good. Dr Suranjit Chatterjee, senior consultant, Internal Medicine, Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals, emphasises that nutritional shortfalls can trigger various health complications. For example, vitamin D deficiency can weaken bone structure and heighten fracture possibilities, while inadequate B12 levels might trigger cognitive deterioration and anaemia. But overconsumption of certain nutrients, particularly fat-soluble vitamins A and D, can prove harmful to health, he warns. "Optimal nutrient levels support immune function, energy production and mental health. For instance, adequate magnesium intake is linked to improved mood and reduced anxiety. Therefore, maintaining balanced nutrient levels through diet or supplementation is essential for preventing deficiencies and promoting health," he explained. Professional medical consultation is crucial before beginning supplements. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Switch to UnionBank Rewards Card UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo Healthcare providers can offer personalised recommendations based on individual health status and eating patterns. They can suggest appropriate supplements after evaluating blood work or considering specific conditions like pregnancy or existing health issues. Discussing the timing of taking these vitamins, Dr Pankaj Soni, principal director, Internal Medicine, Fortis Escorts, Okhla, advises that fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, and K) should be consumed following meals containing fats. These can be taken with even minimal portions of low-fat or whole-fat dairy products. For water-soluble vitamins, including vitamin B-1 (thiamine), B-12 (cyanocobalamin), B-6, B-2 (riboflavin), B-5 (pantothenic acid), B-3 (niacin), B-9 (folate, folic acid), B-7 (biotin), and vitamin C, consumption on an empty stomach with water is recommended. Most of the minerals can be consumed at any point during the day. Supplements are not mandatory for all elderly individuals. Explaining it further, Dr Anurag Mahajan, vice-chairman and senior consultant, Internal Medicine at PSRI Hospital, said that some people, even those over 80 years old, maintain good health without supplements due to their balanced diet and healthy lifestyle choices. Nevertheless, specific supplements like calcium and vitamin D3 might be necessary, particularly for women going through menopause hormonal changes. Discussing the role of blood tests in determining deficiencies, Dr Meenakshi Jain, senior director, Internal Medicine, Max Hospital, Patparganj, emphasises that blood tests are vital in identifying deficiencies, as supplement requirements depend on deficiency levels. Dr Jain further states that supplements should only be stopped under medical supervision. Supplements can be discontinued when levels normalise and patients maintain a healthy diet. According to doctors, excess intake of certain vitamins and minerals can have toxic effects. Vitamin A may cause liver damage, dizziness, nausea, blurred vision, and birth defects, with long-term excess leading to osteoporosis and neurological issues. Vitamin D overconsumption can result in hypercalcemia, kidney damage, cardiovascular problems, and muscle weakness. Vitamin B12 is generally safe, but excessive intake may cause acne, rosacea, or medication interactions. High doses of folic acid can mask vitamin B12 deficiency, potentially leading to nerve damage. Magnesium excess can cause diarrhoea, irregular heartbeat, muscle weakness, and respiratory distress. Biotin, while usually safe, may interfere with lab tests, leading to misdiagnoses. Zinc overconsumption can cause nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, stomach cramps, headaches, and weakened immune function. Dr Arjun Dang, CEO and partner at Dr Dangs Lab, shared with TOI that daily testing for vitamin D, B12, magnesium, vitamin E, and folic acid is common, with vitamin D and B12 tests being most sought after due to their prevalent deficiencies. The primary age group seeking nutritional deficiency tests is 30-50 years, largely due to exhaustion, metabolic issues, and lifestyle-related shortfalls. Those above 50 regularly check vitamin D and B12 levels for bone and nerve health assessment, whilst young adults aged 20-30, particularly those following vegetarian and vegan diets, seek B12 testing owing to dietary limitations. He has noted a significant increase in testing over the last 10 years, driven by greater health awareness, online health information accessibility, and post-pandemic health vigilance. Follow more information on Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad here . Get real-time live updates on rescue operations and check full list of passengers onboard AI 171 .
Hindustan Times
2 days ago
- Health
- Hindustan Times
Father's Day 2025: Worried about your dad's diabetes? Doctor shares 9 risk factors, management tips to know
Father's Day 2025: Diabetes is a chronic condition that can affect individuals at any age, often stemming from disruptions in insulin production or function. If left unmanaged, it can lead to serious spikes in blood sugar and long-term health complications. Father's Day is an ideal opportunity to spotlight the importance of diabetes awareness in men and encourage timely diagnosis, lifestyle changes, and proper management to protect their health and well-being. Also read | Diabetes warning: Know how stress can affect your blood sugar levels; doctor shares tips to manage In an interview with HT Lifestyle, Dr. Pankaj Soni, principal director, internal medicine, Fortis Escorts, Okhla Road, New Delhi said, 'Men are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes.' Dr Pankaj Soni further noted down the risk factors and management tips. Being overweight or obese, especially with a large waist circumference (over 40 inches), significantly increases the risk for type 2 diabetes in men. A sedentary lifestyle and lack of regular physical activity are major risk factors for developing type 2 diabetes. The risk of developing type 2 diabetes increases with age, particularly after age 45. Having a parent or sibling with type 2 diabetes increases the risk for men. Certain racial and ethnic groups, including Black, Hispanic, Native American, Asian American, and Pacific Islanders, have a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Having prediabetes, where blood sugar levels are higher than normal but not high enough to be diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, increases the risk of developing the full disease. Sleep problems, including sleep apnea, can disrupt insulin sensitivity and increase the risk of type 2 diabetes. Also read | What is Type 5 diabetes, the condition that affects 25 million people worldwide? Smoking is a risk factor for type 2 diabetes and other health problems. These conditions are often linked to type 2 diabetes. Focus on fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Limit processed foods, sugary drinks, and refined carbohydrates as these can cause rapid spikes in blood sugar. Opt for unsaturated fats found in foods like avocados, nuts, and olive oil. Eating smaller portions can help manage weight and blood sugar levels. Water helps keep your body hydrated and can aid in digestion. Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate intensity exercise most days of the week; whether it's walking, jogging, swimming, or dancing. Minimise sedentary lifestyle patterns. Losing even a small amount of weight (5-7% of body weight) can significantly reduce the risk of developing diabetes. This can be achieved through a combination of healthy eating and physical activity. Consult with a healthcare professional or registered dietitian for personalised guidance on weight loss strategies. • Smoking can increase the risk of diabetes and other health problems. • Excessive alcohol intake can contribute to weight gain and negatively impact blood sugar control. • Chronic stress can disrupt hormones and potentially lead to insulin resistance. Also read | 7 simple rules you must follow to keep diabetes at bay • Aim for 7-9 hours of quality sleep per night, as sleep deprivation can affect blood sugar levels. • Monitoring blood sugar levels and other risk factors can help identify potential problems early on. Note to readers: This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions about a medical condition.
Economic Times
23-04-2025
- Economic Times
How Pahalgam attack may knock the wind out of Kashmir air travel
It was supposed to be a dream trip for Ahmedabad-based Pankaj Soni, 60. He, along with his family and distant relatives, travelled to Srinagar four days ago. The plan was to experience the Switzerland-like meadows in Pahalgam on Wednesday. But the terror attack in Baisaran, Pahalgam that killed 28 tourists on Tuesday afternoon changed everything. The group spent the entire day locked inside their hotel room in Srinagar. Baisaran rose to fame Worry not. You're just a step away.
