Vitamin D Supplements: Vitamin D, also known as the ‘sunshine’ vitamin, plays an important role in taking care of our overall health. It not only ensures the proper functioning of our immune system, but also ensures the development of our muscle cells.
Exposure to sunlight is the best and most natural way to increase vitamin D levels in your body. However, eating highly nutritious foods and/or taking supplements can also help you reach the required amount of vitamin D in your body.
When do you need vitamin D supplements?
Vitamin D is very different from other vitamins. It is said to be a type of hormone, in fact a steroid hormone secreted by the skin when exposed to sunlight.
Since very few foods can provide you with this essential nutrient, in the absence of sufficient sunlight, in cold winter climates, it may be difficult to get enough vitamin D, leading to vitamin D deficiency.
This is where supplements come into play. Taking vitamin D supplements is an effective way to meet your nutritional needs and prevent deficiency. It is easy to take and, in most cases, safe to consume.
However, too much can also lead to various side effects and complications.
What is vitamin D toxicity and when should you stop taking your supplements?
Vitamin D toxicity or hypervitaminosis D is a very rare condition that indicates elevated levels of vitamin D in the body. It is usually the result of excessive intake of vitamin D supplements, which almost never occurs with sun exposure or eating foods rich in vitamin D.
According to experts, supplements should be taken only when extremely necessary. It is recommended that people who live in extremely cold climates, without access to sunlight, take vitamin D supplements. Ideally, your food can also be a great source of essential nutrients, but sometimes you may need an extra dose of the sunshine vitamin, which is fine.
However, to everyone’s surprise, too much vitamin D in the body can cause many health problems. Before it gets more complicated, you should stop taking more supplements.
With that said, here are some signs that may indicate you should stop taking supplements.
Hypercalcemia is a common sign of too much vitamin D in the body.
Vitamin D allows your body to absorb calcium, which is important for building strong, healthy bones. However, excessive amounts of vitamin D in the body can lead to a condition called hypercalcemia, which indicates elevated levels of calcium in the blood, which can cause bothersome and potentially dangerous symptoms.
Normally, the calcium level in the body is between 8.5 and 10.8 mg/dL. When it exceeds the normal level, it could trigger gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea and vomiting, weakness, and frequent urination.
Bone-ache
When there is too much calcium in the bloodstream due to high levels of vitamin D in the body, it can be difficult for hormones to bind the nutrient to the bones. This can lead to bone pain or soreness, an increased risk of bone fractures and injuries, and can also cause certain changes in posture.
kidney problems
Hypercalcemia due to vitamin D toxicity can also lead to kidney complications. Elevated calcium levels in the blood can also impair the organ’s ability to concentrate urine, resulting in unusually large amounts of urine, a condition known as polyuria.
Related Notes: