Adverse effects of nutritional inadequacy and excess: A hormetic model

Abstract

I address and explain the increased risk of adverse effects from nutrients by using the paradigm of hormesis, the biological and toxicological concept that small quantities have opposite effects from large quantities. To provide necessary background, I categorize, depict, discuss, and contrast hormetic and other dose-response relations. I review some of the different hormetic mechanisms that others have proposed. I then use the hormetic paradigm to explain adverse effects from essential nutrients, including vitamin D. The hormesis paradigm could be useful to nutritional scientists in their consideration of nutritional adverse effects. © 2008 American Society for Nutrition.