Occurs with excessive consumption of the fat-soluble vitamins A and D found in fish oils and nuts, amongst other foods. Other vitamins are water-soluble and are excreted in the urine if consumed in excess of the body's needs. The pigment carotin can also accumulate to harmful concentrations if carrots are eaten to excess.Consuming 4 or more times the recommended amount of vitamin A during pregnancy causes malformation of the foetal head, heart brain and spinal cord.