EB. 120: Vitamin A Toxicity: Retinoic Acid Toxicity, Accutane, and Whether Hypervitaminosis A Exists

Jul 29, 2024

Grant Genereux, an expert challenging mainstream views on vitamin A, dives into intriguing claims about vitamin A toxicity. He examines whether it's a real threat or merely exaggerated fear. The conversation includes the safety of Accutane and the actual risks of retinoic acid. Genereux critiques studies linking high doses to toxicity, suggesting that they may not reflect typical diets. Is there a conspiracy of vitamin A poisoning? Tune in for a fascinating take on this complex issue!

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INSIGHT

Vitamin A Toxicity is Real, But...

Hypervitaminosis A (vitamin A toxicity) exists, but it requires extremely high doses.
This is true for most nutrients, like water or sodium, similar to how too much sunlight can cause burns.

INSIGHT

Toxicity in Perspective

Even substances promoted by low vitamin A advocates, like niacin, can be toxic in high doses.
Regulating bodies acknowledge vitamin A's cumulative toxicity but set very low targets.

ANECDOTE

Halibut Liver Oil Study

Grant Genereux claims one drop of halibut liver oil per week caused toxicity in rats.
This dose translates to an unrealistic human equivalent of 15-27 ounces of beef liver weekly.

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In this episode we discuss:

The research behind vitamin A toxicity and whether vitamin A is really a poison
Whether you need to be concerned about the use of Accutane
Whether retinoic acid is toxic because it’s used as a chemotherapeutic agent
Whether Grant Genereux’s claims about vitamin A toxicity are valid

Free Energy Balance Food Guide: https://jayfeldmanwellness.com/guide

Free Energy Balance Mini-Course: https://www.jayfeldmanwellness.com/energy/

Check out the Energy Balance Solution program here: https://www.jayfeldmanwellness.com/solution/

The Nutrition Blueprint: https://mikefave.com/the-nutrition-blueprint/

Click here to check out the show notes: https://www.jayfeldmanwellness.com/ep-120-vitamin-a-toxicity-retinoic-acid-toxicity-accutane-and-whether-hypervitaminosis-a-exists

Timestamps:

0:00 – intro

1:15 – why we're examining Grant Genereux's take on vitamin A toxicity and the evidence behind his claims

4:50 – conceptualizing the amount of vitamin A needed for toxicity

7:07 – is hypervitaminosis A (vitamin A toxicity) real?

9:27 – cautioning against the idea of "detox" as an excuse for negative effects and vitamin A toxicity as an unfalsifiable hypothesis

12:36 – is there a conspiracy to poison the masses with vitamin A?

18:36 – how likely is it that you have vitamin A toxicity?

22:30 – problems with the first in vivo study that Grant uses to support vitamin A toxicity

35:14 – vitamin A toxicity in the studies Grant cited require massive doses of vitamin A that would be impossible to obtain from diet

42:44 – Grant’s cited research actually supports the safety of vitamin A

50:52 – more of Grant’s cited research supporting vitamin A safety

58:25 – further research supporting that extremely high doses are required to cause vitamin A toxicity

1:07:57 – whether vitamin A toxicity is driving autoimmunity

1:09:54 – whether retinoic acid is toxic based on concerns regarding the use of Accutane

1:15:40 – how conflating Accutane with retinoic acid is misleading

1:22:12 – whether retinoic acid is toxic because Accutane is used as a chemotherapeutic agent

1:29:37 – evaluating Grant’s claim that retinol automatically becomes “toxic” retinoic acid

1:35:05 – our concluding thoughts on Grant’s arguments regarding vitamin A toxicity