Some athletes adhere to the myth that vitamins supply energy, and many of them have taken megadoses of vitamins to try and gain that competitive advantage. But not only is this not effective, it can produce some harmful side effects. Most people who take megadoses of vitamins stay away from the fat soluble types, Vitamins A,D,E and K, because excesses are stored in the body's fat cells and can become toxic. The water soluble vitamins, B complex and C, have been thought to be non-toxic because any excess is excreted out of the body. But there have been many reports of health problems from taking megadoses of Vitamin B and C, including numbness, paralysis, stomach irritation and shock. It's easy to see why there is no place in sporting competition for a routine intake of megadoses of vitamins.
