vitamin overdose

Vitamin D Overdose
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From LoveToKnow Vitamins

Although vitamin D is essential for health, a vitamin D overdose can
threaten your health. It causes Hypervitaminosis D, a potentially
serious condition that results from toxic levels of this vitamin in
the body.

Girl pops a pill

Causes of Vitamin D Overdose
----------------------------

The body's daily requirement for vitamin D is relatively low. It
naturally produces its daily supply from exposure to sunlight, the
primary source of vitamin D. As little as 10 to 15 minutes of
sunshine, at least three times a week, is enough to manufacture your
body's vitamin D requirement.

This natural production process is safe and will not result in an
overdose, because once the body's requirements have been met, further
production of this vitamin is shutdown. High dietary intakes of
vitamin D from food sources have also been proven to contain
concentrations of vitamin D that are too low to cause an overdose
(with the exception of cod liver oil).

The most likely cause of vitamin D overdose is from an excessive
intake of supplements. The body does not have a mechanism to shutdown
the absorption of large amounts of vitamin D from supplemental vitamin
preparations. As such, it builds up to toxic levels, causing
Hypervitaminosis D. Such incidents are most closely associated with
prescription supplements of vitamin D.

People most vulnerable to an overdose are often those who suffer from
rickets or some other disease or condition that is caused by vitamin D
deficiency. In this case, pharmacological doses are prescribed for
therapeutic purposes.

How Much is Too Much?

Vitamin D overdose typically happens over a period of time rather than
from a single large dose. This is because, unlike most other essential
nutrients we consume, the body does not excrete excess vitamin D.
Instead, it is stored in the body's fat cells where it can accumulate
to toxic levels over time.

According to the National Institutes of Health, the Upper Intake
Levels (ULs) for the vitamin D are as follows:

Birth to 12 months of age: 25 micrograms (1,000 IU)

One year of age or older: 50 micrograms (2,000 IU)

Studies have also shown that, taken over long periods of time,
consumption of vitamin D in amounts above the UL will result in
toxicity. For children under the age of 12 months, a sustained intake
of 1,000 micrograms (40,000 IU) a day will produce toxicity in just
one to four months. For adults, 2,500 micrograms (100,000 IU) a day
may result in toxicity in a few months.

Health Risks of Overdosing on Vitamin D
---------------------------------------

Some of the health risks of excessive intake of vitamin D include:

Elevated levels of calcium in the blood, resulting from an
 increase in the absorption of calcium in the intestinal tract

Abnormally large deposition of amounts of phosphate and calcium in
 soft tissue such as the lungs, heart and kidneys. These deposits
 can cause irreversible organ malfunction.

Nausea, vomiting, poor appetite and loss of weight

High blood pressure, heart rhythm irregularities and increased
 risk of heart disease

Kidney stones and renal failure

Excessive production of urine

An overdose of Vitamin D in pregnant women can cause mental or
 physical retardation in babies.

Other symptoms include:

Bone pain and even bone loss

Muscular weakness and fatigue

Nervousness and irritability

Excessive thirst, dehydration

Severe headache

Deafness

Itchy skin

It is highly recommended that you consult with your doctor or other
licensed healthcare professional before you begin to take vitamin D
supplements. You should closely follow your doctor's instructions
regarding the proper vitamin D dose. A calcium supplement may be
necessary if your calcium intake is insufficient.

If you notice that you are suffering from symptoms of an overdose of
vitamin D, consult with your doctor as soon as possible. You will need
to stop taking the vitamin D supplements, and restrict your intake of
calcium. Like most good things in life, too much vitamin D can be
harmful..

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Comments
--------

If you're concerned about your doctor's advice, why not get a second
opinion? Good luck.

-- Contributed by: Jeanne Grunert

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If you're concerned about your doctor's advice, why not get a second
opinion? That amount may be what he needs, but if you're concerned, a
second opinion is the safest bet.

-- Contributed by: Jeanne Grunert

---------------------------------------------------------------------

the doctor wants my husband to start with 50,000units of vitamin
d...that sounds high and scary.

-- Contributed by: droll@roadrunner.com > See All Comments on this
article

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