Waste

Question
This will probably sound like a stupid question, but a person's urine is supposed to be a light yellow, and if it is darker the person is dehydrated? When I take both a B-Complex caplet and Omega-3 caplet my urine seems to be a very bright yellow. Is much of the vitamins going to waste or something?

Answer
Hello James!


      Urine typically is a shade of yellow.  There are a few disorders which change the color of urine in a dramatic way.  To be specific one should see their doctor.  Generally when urine gets brown or Coke colored it suggests a liver or bile duct problem.  Red urine can be blood or can look red from certain medicines.  Black urine is classic for a genetic defect.  The shades
of yellow of urine are usually related to the concentrated of urine.Something that can really change the color of urine is the vitamin B2 (riboflavin).  If you swallow a vitamin B2 supplement, and the amount is more than your body needs, the vitamin is excreted in the urine.  
The urine will be a VERY bright yellow - almost fluorescent (except it probably will not glow in the dark!).  But there is nothing wrong with you
when this happens - it is just your body getting rid of extra vitamin B2.  Some health authorities use this as an example that taking large doses of vitamins only makes expensive urine.  However, nutritionists who advocate
large vitamin supplementation counter by saying that it is only when the excess amounts of vitamins spill over into the urine that you know for sure that your body is getting the maximum amount of the vitamins.

For more answers to your nutrition questions check out "Ask the Nutritionists" by George Rapitis at www.authorhouse.com or your favorite bookstore.

-George Rapitis, Bsc. Nutritionist
www.juiceblend.com  

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