For example, says John Vanderveen, Ph.D., director of the Office of Plant and Dairy Foods and Beverages in the Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, FDA discovered that some calcium supplements contained lead. And some calcium supplements had excessive levels of vitamin D, which would have been toxic if taken continuously at this high intake. Although the margin of safety between the needed level and the toxic level is quite wide for some nutrients, Vanderveen says, it is very narrow for others, such as the mineral selenium. The agency believes that problems with nutrients can be best handled by subjecting them to the same labeling requirements as other foods. Iron is the most common cause of U.S. child poisoning deaths, causing about 2,000 poisonings a year, mainly in young children taking their mothers' prenatal supplements.
High intakes can damage the liver and cause severe gastrointestinal problems.
Toxicity depends on the chemical form and the selenium content of the foods eaten and has occurred with high intakes after a few weeks. High intakes can cause bone pain, muscle weakness, numbness, or other symptoms of nerve disorder. Very high intakes can cause diarrhea and may cause urinary tract problems. Continuous high intakes can cause kidney damage and bone deformity. Just because there haven't been a lot of reports of adverse effects associated with use of dietary supplements doesn't necessarily mean they're safe.