What happens if you take too much vitamin d?

Vitamin D is essential for strong bones, muscles and overall good health. It can be found in small amounts in certain foods like fatty fish, egg yolks and some fortified dairy products. However, the majority of vitamin D is actually produced when your skin is exposed to sunlight.

Most people get enough vitamin D through a combination of diet and sun exposure. However, there are cases where taking a vitamin D supplement may be necessary or recommended by a healthcare provider.

While getting enough vitamin D is important, it’s also possible to overdo it. In this article we’ll explore what happens if you take too much vitamin D.

The Basics: What Is Vitamin D?

Before diving into the potential risks of taking high doses of vitamin D (assuming you have no intention of becoming your own guinea pig), let’s first review what exactly this nutrient does in our body.

Vitamin D (aka “the sunshine vitamin”) plays an important role in regulating the amount of calcium and phosphate absorbed by our intestines which helps keep our bones healthy and strong. It also contributes to maintaining normal muscle function as well as supporting immune health (so right now would not be a terrible time to load up on oranges).

However, unlike other vitamins that come from food sources, very few foods naturally contain significant quantities of Vitamin B or any at all (sad but true). This means that sunlight exposure (or supplements) are typically needed to maintain appropriate levels within our bodies.

Recommended Daily Intake

The current recommendation for daily Vitamin-D intake ranges from 400-800 IU/day depending on life-stage (e.g., babies need less than adults). Some organizations recommend higher levels due more recent research discoveries – like its infection-fighting properties – however updated guidelines vary with ongoing research/finding applications here https://www.vitamindcouncil.org/.

Why Take Vitamin D Supplements?

Certain people may have difficulty getting enough vitamin D from food or sunlight, and/or vulnerable to deficiency. This includes:

  • People with limited sun exposure: Those who live in colder climates, spend a lot of time indoors (I’m looking at you World of Warcraft enthusiasts!!) , cover their skin due to religious or cultural reasons or simply stay lathered up in SPF.
  • Older adults: The ability for the skin to produce vitamin D decreases both as age slides by and they’re increasingly exposed to potential illnesses – specifically respiratory infections; hence why COVID’s been such an issue).
  • Babies breastfed exclusively: Breastmilk provides critical nutrition but doesn’t contain much vitamin d. When infants aren’t given supplements within first year dietary sources must be sufficient (and that basically means making homemade babyfood 🙂 )
  • Some health conditions (e.g., Crohn’s Disease) can impact absorption of nutrients–vitamin included–due changes along digestive tract.

If you find yourself falling into any of these categories it’s possible your physician will recommend increased levels! But again don’t go hog-wild just because someone mentions popping pills.

What Happens If You Take Too Much Vitamin D?

Taking too much Vitamin – same as pretty much everything else – isn’t advisable regardless how healthy / beneficial intake appears to be on surface level analysis. While rare, excessive amounts come with a series of potential side effects including:

#1 Hypercalcemia

Allow me take this moment for quick review on calcium regulation… parathyroid hormone & calcitonin work together [to regulate blood concentrations] so body has just right amount available for necessary processes—like maintaining strong bones!

However when excessive levels enter picture it becomes difficult control thyroid production which can lead multiple symptoms beyond upset stomachs like fatigue kidney complications mood disorders and even heart arrhythmias.

#2 Nausea and Vomiting

Like many things over-indulgence prompt sickness –> not always side-effect free.

Too much vitamin D is associated with gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting and constipation. Because vitamin D stays in the body stored within fat/skin tissue of those who excessive intake can easily head down mucous membrane road to unpleasantness

#3 Weakness and Fatigue

Muscle weakness/ fatigue are also common after dipping a bit too deeply into the high-potency pool! Anyone interested on learning what happened I advise seeking out “Vitamin toxicity” case studies. Just don’t get too freaked-out.

#4 Kidney Damage

Kidneys act to clear excess Vitamin from bloodstream but excessive amounts upsets balance natural enzymatic process that lead kidney stones or worse…chronic damage. In fact, people with pre-existing kidney problems may be even more susceptible …

Important note: Although potential for supplement -induced hypervitaminosis (elevated levels) exists consuming proper nutrient dosage remains far from automatic cause great harm (don’t go mental if your supplements contain daily requirement x 10)!

So How Do You Know If You’re Taking Too Much?

If you suspect that you might be taking too much Vitamin , have any concerns surrounding recommended dosage regular consultation with physician becomes doubly important! These experts will recommend best course of action including any lab test necessary diagnose condition quickly achieve healthy equilibrium.

Additionally there’s something called Upper Limit which functions as threshold suggested highest dose considered safe majority population — generally agreed amount being anywhere between 1000-4000 IU/day depending life-stage!

Taking too much gradually leads physical /emotional changes eventually manifest making identification & diagnosis likely; however listening own body implementing feeding plan based one medical advice optimal approach ensuring long-term health/vitality.

Summary: What Happens If You Take Too Much Vitamin D?

While Vitamin D is important for good health, taking too much can be detrimental and manifest in symptoms like hypercalcaemia, nausea and vomiting, muscle weakness/fatigue, kidney damage or worse if left unchecked. Knowing/setting appropriate dosage crucial heart own supplement HABITS!

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