Dietary Nutritional Supplements That Cause Cloudy Urine

Some supplements, particularly vitamin supplements, contain nutrients that are water-soluble, which means your body does not store the extra nutrients that it does not use. Instead, it releases them in your urine, which can cause cloudy urine. This typically occurs when taking unusually high doses of supplements. However, cloudy urine can be a sign of serious health problems, so consult your doctor if the symptom persists.

Vitamin B-6, a water-soluble vitamin, is necessary for a variety of functions in your body, including metabolizing food. Since B-6 also helps produce neurotransmitters, chemicals that send signals in your nervous system and brain, high doses of vitamin B-6 are being used experimentally to treat neurological conditions like migraines. If you are taking high doses of B-6 for such conditions, your body is more likely to release it through your urine, creating a cloudy effect.

According to the National Institutes of Health, vitamin B-12 is necessary for your body to produce healthy red blood cells. If your body is not absorbing B-12 properly, you may have anemia, a condition in which your red blood cells are unable to carry oxygen throughout your body. This can be treated with B-12 supplements, which may cause cloudy urine due to the vitamin's water-soluble properties.

Vitamin C, also called ascorbic acid, is used a variety of ways, from building collagen to fighting free radicals as an antioxidant. Vitamin C is also supports your immune system; so many people take vitamin C supplements -- especially during cold and flu season. Since vitamin C is water-soluble, your body uses what it needs and releases the rest in your urine, causing cloudiness.

According to Medline Plus, if you are taking multiple dietary supplements and you accidentally overdose or take too many, you may begin producing cloudy urine as a symptom of multiple vitamin overdose. Other symptoms include bone and joint pain, headaches, vomiting and diarrhea. In a case like this, you should immediately contact the National Poison Control Center or your local physician.

If your body is producing cloudy urine because you are taking a supplement, you should try stopping the supplement and seeing if the symptoms stop. If your body continues to produce cloudy urine, or if this symptom is accompanied with pain, consult a physician since cloudy urine can be a symptom of other health problems, such as urinary tract infections.