Warnings Of Vitamin D And D3
Vitamin D toxicity may occur with excessively high doses. Symptoms could include nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, constipation, dehydration, fatigue, and confusion. Due to the fact that vitamin D is a fat-soluble drug, the effects of vitamin D therapy can last 2 months or more after therapy is discontinued. It is also important to know the vitamin D content of other supplements you may be taking, such as a daily multivitamin. You should not take high doses of vitamin D supplements without your doctors instruction.
The Power Of Consistency
Signing up for 1MD Nutrition’s Subscription Box means you can spend less time worrying and more time staying motivated and focused on your health routine.
We are your biggest health advocates, so let us help you stay on track by automatically sending your joint, heart, immunity, and digestive health support supplements all in one box, on time… and start enjoying a happier, healthier life today.
Put your health first with 1MD Nutrition Subscription Box
What Does Vitamin D3 Do
Vitamin D3 is well known for its role in bone health, facilitating the absorption of calcium from the small intestine.
When there is insufficient vitamin D3, calcium cannot be integrated into the bones and this is where the association with osteoporosis and hip fractures come in. Apart from bone health vitamin D3 plays a host of other very important roles in the body. Below levels of optimal vitamin D3 has been linked to nearly every age-related disorder in the body, including that of cancer, chronic inflammation, Alzheimers, and vascular disease. Vitamin D3 is vital for our body and its defence mechanism, the immune system. There is no way we can be healthy if our immune system is down.
Don’t Miss: What Fruit Has The Most Vitamin C In It
Why Do You Need Vitamin D
Previously pigeon-holed as a bone health nutrient, vitamin D is that and so much more. Research in the past 40 years has uncovered that this hormone-like essential fat-soluble micronutrient affects our total-body health, including our bones and teeth, muscles, immune function, fertility, and mood,* to name a few.
Despite its importance, there is clear data demonstrating how widespread the vitamin D gap is in our country. For instance, we know that the large majority of American adults are not even consuming 400 IU of vitamin D from their daily diet. Extrapolating from that nationally representative stat, I guesstimate 99% of us are failing to eat at least 3,000 I.U. of vitamin D D level > 30 ng/ml) from food alone. This is where supplementation can helpbut only if you choose the right form.
Common Side Effects Of Vitamin D Vs D3
There are no common side effects to therapy with either vitamin D2 or D3. Side effects related to vitamin D are the result of hypervitaminosis D, an extremely rare condition that occurs when you intake too much vitamin D. This is sometimes seen in patients who take megadoses of vitamin D, leading to vitamin D toxicity. The result is a build up of dangerously high levels of calcium in the blood which can lead to nausea, vomiting, constipation, and frequent urination. If left untreated, irreversible renal failure can occur along with calcification of organs and soft tissues.
The following table lists side effects related to hypervitaminosis D, not normal vitamin D supplementation. More information on vitamin D toxicity may be obtained from your doctor or pharmacist, as this may not be a complete list.
Source: DailyMed.
Don’t Miss: How Do You Know What Vitamins To Take
Are Calcium Tablets Harmful
The truth is, the research is inconclusive. But there is a growing body of evidence that suggests no health benefit, or even worse, that calcium supplements may be harmful. Multiple studies have found that theres little to no benefit to taking calcium supplements for the prevention of hip fractures.
Vitamin D Helps Rejuvenate Your Eyes
Sharing is caring!
Vitamin D is often thought of as the one that helps your bones. However, research show that this vitamin is a lot more than just a bone vitamin, providing protection for cancers, infections, heart disease, even multiple sclerosis. Another important function of vitamin D is emerging aging in the eye.
The research suggests that vitamin D3 may help prevent age-related macular degeneration. Their conclusions suggest that vitamin D3 supplementation may be a good idea for those at risk of macular degeneration.
Dr. Mercola published an article that discusses this new research and also provides other nutrients that are important for good eye health. These nutrients include lutein and zeaxanthin, astaxanthin, anthocyanins and animal based omega-3 fatty acids .
Recommended Reading: What Does Vitamin A Serum Do For Your Skin
Also Check: Is Vitamin C Good For The Immune System
Can You Have Too Much Vitamin D
Yes, it is possible to overdo vitamin D. What makes vitamin D different from other common vitamin supplements is that its a fat-soluble vitamin. When you ingest too much of a water-soluble vitamin, such as vitamin C, your body will eliminate excess via urine, says Tan. But the same cant be said for vitamin D.
Its very hard to have vitamin D toxicity from sun exposure or diet, but when people start taking supplementswhether through vitamin D drops or a prescriptionit can get to very high levels, says Tan. Too much vitamin D can cause calcium buildup and lead to kidney stones and other problems.
In general, a toxic dose of vitamin D is more than 4,000 IU a daya level that may actually hinder bone health rather than help it, according to a 2019 study in JAMA. In fact, vitamin D toxicity can result in hypercalcemia, a condition marked by an above-average amount of calcium in the blood, which can lead to nausea, vomiting, muscle weakness, neuropsychiatric disturbances, pain, loss of appetite, dehydration, polyuria, excessive thirst and kidney stones.
Lower Risk For Cardiovascular Disease
Since were on the topic of heart health , we should mention that there is also a link between cardiovascular disease and low vitamin D levels. A review paper by the University of Alabama at Birmingham explains that a definite connection has been made and, apart from a higher risk of hypertension, people are also more likely to develop ischemic heart disease and heart failure when their vitamin D levels are too low.
Don’t Miss: How Often To Apply Vitamin C Serum
Drug Interactions Of Vitamin D2 Vs D3
Vitamin D2 and D3 each are metabolized by the liver to 25D, and therefore the potential drug interactions are similar for both forms. Vitamin D may increase the serum levels of aluminum when taken with aluminum hydroxide, a common antacid, and therefore the combination should be avoided. Thiazide diuretics, such as hydrochlorothiazide, may increase the chance of vitamin D raising calcium levels in the blood to a dangerously high level. Patients on both thiazide diuretics and vitamin D supplementation should be monitored for this effect by their healthcare provider. Some drugs may decrease the absorption and effectiveness of your vitamin D supplement. Bile-acid sequestrants, such as cholestyramine, are an example of a drug which will impair vitamin D absorption. Vitamin D and cholestyramine should not be administered at the same time.
The following table may not be a complete list of drug interactions. Please consult your pharmacist or healthcare provider for more information and a complete list of interactions.
| Drug |
| Yes |
Combination Vitamin D3 And K: Game Changing Benefits
Supplementing vitamin D3 and K2 comes with all the benefits of vitamin D and vitamin K, but also some unique health benefits that are only unlocked when these two vitamins are used together.
New research is revealing this game-changing pair of vitamins and their effect on our hearts, our bones, and our blood sugar.
In this day and age, its important to invest in your health using the most up-to-date science. Thats where vitamins D3 and K2 enter the scene.
Recommended Reading: Where Can I Buy Vitamin K1
What Is Vitamin D3
Looking to get more of the sunshine vitamin benefits? Not getting enough sun? Not eating enough vitamin D-rich foods? Think you can stand to get a little bit more to support your health?
Very good! Vitamin D is essential to your overall health and making sure you get enough is paramount to your well-being. Before you get started, it is important to know that there are different types of vitamin D: vitamin D3 and vitamin D2.
Vitamin D3, also known by its other alias cholecalciferol, is vitamin D in its natural formthe kind produced in your body as it absorbs sunlight. However, recent studies are beginning to find that vitamin D2 may be as effective as vitamin D3.
Whichever form of vitamin D you choose to take, make sure you get enough so you can enjoy healthy teeth and bones while protecting yourself from disease.
Can Vitamin D Deficiency Trigger Hair Loss
Vitamin D is metabolized within the pores and skin by keratinocytes. These are pores and skin cells that course of keratin, a protein in hair, nails, and pores and skin. There is a link between vitamin D deficiency and alopecia, and it is often one of the common causes of thinning hair or hair loss in men or women, Arielle Levitan, MD, an inner medication doctor in Chicago, tells WebMD Hook up with Care.
Recommended Reading: What Is The Best Ester C Vitamin
Vitamin D: Benefits Dosage Information And Warnings
Vitamin D3 provides a range of health benefits, from bone health to immunity support. Learn more about its benefits, dosage information, and warnings.
7 minute read
Vitamin D3 is an essential vitamin that your skin produces in response to sunlight exposure. It can also be consumed through a variety of animal and plant-sourced foods. Vitamin D3 is known to support bone health, but it also supports the immune system to protect you from environmental and seasonal threats.
With increased concerns over sun exposure, there has been an increase in vitamin D3 deficiency, which can affect immune function. Taking supplements of vitamin D3 helps you maintain healthy levels to support immune function, bone health, and overall health.
How To Increase Or Maintain Your Vitamin D Levels
Vitamin D can be obtained through your diet, exposure to sunlight, or through a supplement.
Dietary vitamin D: Vitamin D is one vitamin that can be difficult to obtain in a healthy diet. Nutrition guidelines recommend a daily intake of 200 to 800 international units depending on your age. We hear about milk as a good source, yet at 100 IU per eight-ounce glass, this could translate to 20 glasses of milk daily for adequate prevention, an amount of milk unlikely to be healthy for many reasons. Fatty fish may also grant you some vitamin D. In other words, it’s hard for the average person to get enough vitamin D in a healthy diet, unlike nearly all other vitamins.
Sunlight as a source of vitamin D: Sunlight is an excellent source of vitamin D but is dependent on your latitude, as well as your use of sunscreen. On the other hand, spending 15 minutes outside in shirtsleeves on a pleasant day could result in your body producing 5000 IU of vitamin D or more. As noted earlier, we may be trading a lower risk of skin cancer for a higher risk of more deadly cancers such as lung cancer and colon cancer by our conscientious use of sunscreen.
Don’t Miss: What Does Vitamin B 6 Do
What Causes Vitamin D2 Deficiency
Different clinical risk factors can cause vitamin D2 deficiency. Inadequate intake from a plant-rich diet is one probable cause.
However, malabsorption due to aging and certain medical conditions, such as pancreatitis, short bowel syndrome, and others, can also be a primary source of concern.
Certain medications can interfere in the absorption of and decreased vitamin D2 levels, as well. Included here are those currently taking antiepileptic drugs.
Finally, beyond all those probable causes, evidence suggests that lack of sun exposure is really what causes vitamin D2 deficiency.
Is It Ok To Take Vitamin D3 Everyday
Current guidelines say adults shouldnt take more than the equivalent of 100 micrograms a day. But vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin, so your body can store it for months and you dont need it every day. That means you could equally safely take a supplement of 20 micrograms a day or 500 micrograms once a month.
You May Like: What Does Vitamin C Help With Your Body
Effects Of B12 On The Body
A solid B12 supply is crucial to having a well-oiled nervous system, as well as the creation of new blood cells. An untreated deficiency can wreak havoc on the body, eventually causing severe, irreversible damage.
Weakness, pale pallor, and light-headedness are all early symptoms. These can progress to bleeding and bruising issues, as well as stomach and intestinal difficulties. Without vitamin B12, the sheaths around nerves also become damage-prone in severe cases, neurological symptoms will eventually appear, including poor memory, difficulty thinking and concentrating, and even personality changes.
Of course, as with most vitamins, its possible to have too much of a good thing. Still, its unlikely that youll consume excessive amounts of B12 and experience side effects its virtually impossible to do so with dietary sources, and even most supplements arent going to put you in the danger zone.
People with certain disorders, including gout and megaloblastic anemia, should be extra cautious when considering B12 supplements, as they may be more sensitive to supplements. In an otherwise healthy body, excess B12 supplements can cause nausea, raised blood pressure, and various skin problems. More worrisome, though less conclusive, is that tenuous links between certain cancers and B12 supplementation do exist. So, dont take more B12 than directed, and as always, consult your physician before you embark on a supplement regimen.
Read Also: What Vitamin Can I Take To Give Me Energy
Reduces The Severity And Frequency Of Asthma Attacks
Asthma affects more than 300 million people around the world and can cause severe symptoms that make it difficult for the affected person to breathe properly. An asthma attack can also be fatal and even lead to mortality if not treated in a timely manner. Cochrane report that new evidence suggests that taking a vitamin D supplement, along with asthma medication, may further reduce the risk of experiencing an asthma attack and may lower the severity of such an attack should it occur.
*All individuals are unique. Your results can and will vary.
Read Also: Does Chicken Have Vitamin D
Why Is Vitamin D So Important
Vitamin D is one of many vitamins our bodies need to stay healthy. This vitamin has many functions, including:
- Keeping bones strong: Having healthy bones protects you from various conditions, including rickets. Rickets is a disorder that causes children to have bones that are weak and soft. It is caused by a lack of vitamin D in the body. You need vitamin D so that calcium and phosphorus can be used to build bones. In adults, having soft bones is a condition called osteomalacia.
- Absorbing calcium: Vitamin D, along with calcium, helps build bones and keep bones strong and healthy. Weak bones can lead to osteoporosis, the loss of bone density, which can lead to fractures. Vitamin D, once either taken orally or from sunshine exposure is then converted to an active form of the vitamin. It is that active form that promotes optimal absorption of calcium from your diet.
- Working with parathyroid glands: The parathyroid glands work minute to minute to balance the calcium in the blood by communicating with the kidneys, gut and skeleton. When there is sufficient calcium in the diet and sufficient active Vitamin D, dietary calcium is absorbed and put to good use throughout the body. If calcium intake is insufficient, or vitamin D is low, the parathyroid glands will borrow calcium from the skeleton in order to keep the blood calcium in the normal range.
How Can I Help Prevent Vitamin D Deficiency
The goals of treating and preventing the lack of vitamin D of treatment and prevention are the sameto reach and keep an adequate level of vitamin D in the body. Your healthcare provider will let you know if you need to take or keep taking vitamin D supplements. If so, they will also let you know how much you should take. You might also want to consider:
Eating more foods that contain vitamin D: See the vitamin D food sources table included in this article. Keep in mind that foods alone usually don’t meet the daily recommended levels of vitamin D.
Getting some exposure to sunshinebut not too much: Exactly how much sun exposure is needed isnt clear. 10 to 15 minutes of sun exposure two to three times a week to the face, arms, legs or back may be all that is needed to absorb a suitable amount of vitamin D. You might need more sun exposure if:
- You are older.
- You have a darker skin color.
- You live in northern climates.
The use of sunscreen, and standing behind a window, prevents vitamin D from being produced in the skin. However, you should remember that too much sunshine increases the risk of skin cancer and ages the skin. That is why taking an appropriately dosed D supplement is far safer than intentionally getting routine sun exposure.
You May Like: Which Vitamin B Do I Need
Decreases Risk Of Female Cancers
Continuing with the immune system theme, vitamin D may have a mechanistic benefit to cancer prevention.
Thats because this versatile fat-soluble vitamin might helps to control the growth or proliferation of cancer cells.
A large study published in the American Journal of Public Health found that when 63 individual studies were analysed, the collective results showed a clear and significant relationship between vitamin D status and ovarian, breast and colon cancer.
Nearly 70% of breast cancer suffers have low vitamin D levels.
