patna with the outbreak of the covid19 pandemic many people in the city have started consuming various health supplements and herbs to boost their immunity system however doctors and ayush practitioners have cautioned them against the excessive intake of such supplements and herbsbusting the myth that vitamin c supplements fight covid dr nargis shamin senior doctor of medicine at the patna medical college and hospital says they do play a vital role in maintaining good health but taking them without consulting a doctor can be harmful people who are more prone to seasonal flu or have a history of weak immune response should consume them healthy individuals on the other hand can get an adequate amount of vitamin c by eating a diet rich in green vegetables and citrus fruits she adds excessive consumption of vitamin c supplements may cause nausea diarrhoea and disruption of the antioxidant balance in the bodywhile the side effects of vitamin c overdose are mild in nature other vitamins and minerals if consumed in higher quantities than recommended may prove to be harmful president of the indian academy of pediatricsbihar dr arun shah points out that there is no harm in taking health supplements but an overdose of essential vitamins and minerals like zinc and vitamin d can lead to toxicity in the bodyif the recommended daily dose of zinc exceeds 50mg it can cause fever coughing stomach pain and fatigue similarly 10002000 iu per day of vitamin d from a supplement is considered safe but beyond that it can lead to hypercalcemia vomiting weakness and frequent urination it can also cause bone pain and formation of calcium stones dr shah saysbesides ayush practitioners warn people that excessive consumption of herbs like giloy and tulsi as well as kadhas can do more harm than good these should be used in moderation as they release heat and their overdose can lead to dysentery and other complications consuming too much kadha can also cause serious side effects claims boring roadbased ayush practitioner dr k k prasad