GLOSSARY

Hypervitaminosis describes vitamin excess, often with accumulation or adverse effects; briefly exceeding a reference intake does not automatically establish toxicity.

High intake, increased stores and toxicity are not identical. Risk depends on vitamin, chemical form, amount, duration and underlying conditions. Overlapping supplements, fortified drinks and pre-workout products can supply the same substance repeatedly. Add contributions from all sources rather than evaluating each package's dose separately or assuming that more products improve coverage.

Check supplement amount per serving, daily servings and units; a vitamin name alone does not specify exposure. Combining a multivitamin, single-vitamin product and fortified drink requires adding their contributions. Therapeutic doses for defined conditions cannot automatically become routine prevention for healthy athletes, and larger package numbers do not establish better outcomes.

Chronically excessive preformed vitamin A can cause toxicity, with pregnancy requiring particular care. Food carotenoids are not simply equivalent in risk, but high-dose beta-carotene supplements are also not safe for everyone, especially smokers. Source, form and amount matter; a capsule being plant-derived does not guarantee that it is appropriate or harmless.