The literature of the subject contains frequent references to the toxicity of vitamins. Numerous tests have been made in an effort to determine their toxicity. In some of these tests death has resulted from the use of large doses of these substances. Other vitamins slackened the growth rate. Niacin has been shown to be somewhat toxic. Thiamine is less toxic than niacin. Pyridoxine is about as toxic as niacin. Other vitamins have shown varying degrees of toxicity.

Three important facts stand out in these tests, namely:

1. The tests are made with synthetic vitamins, which are drugs, not vitamins.

2. Large doses are employed, such as one would never consume in eating.

3. The so-called vitamins are frequently administered by injection into the skin, a method of vitamin intake that we never employ in eating.

There is a complete lack of evidence that an excess of natural vitamins, such as an animal might receive by consuming an enormous quantity of green grass, or a man might receive by eating a large quantity of oranges while on an orange diet, is harmful. The toxicity of natural vitamins in quantities that may consumed in eating is not demonstrated. What is demonstrated is that artificial or imitation "vitamins" are toxic. This is another good reason why we should rely upon nature's own products and avoid the laboratory concoctions of the manufacturing chemists.

Records of cases of hypervitaminosis (excess of vitamin) A, D and K exist in vitamin literature and we are told that "certain of the vitamins may possess pharmacologic actions which are not apparent when administered in the small quantities usually provided in nutritional experiments." These cases of hypervitaminosis are seen in those dosed with drug "vitamins." There is no such thing as pharmalogic action.

Dr» Casimir Funk, who coined the term "vitamin," says: "Synthetic vitamins are less effective and more toxic." The sober fact is that the evidence for the "toxicity" of natural vitamins is almost nil, while the evidence for the toxicity of the synthetic vitamins is great. It is essential that we understand the differences between the two kinds of vitamins. Dr. Royal Lee very appropriately says of the synthetic vitamins: "Unnatural vitamins like unnatural foods, are dangerous." The "synthetic vitamins" are really drugs. They behave as irritants rather than as enzymes. A Textbook of Physiology by Wm. D. Zoethout, Ph.D., and W. W. Turtle, Ph.D., says of the synthetically produced vitamins: "their consumption in this form is less desirable than eating natural foods in which they are found." These physiologists think there are advantages to be gained by "re-enforcing" white flour with vitamin B1 so long as "people insist on eatnig fine white bread."