Mia Lane
Vitamin D is important for the body – but not a miracle cure. On the contrary: A vitamin D overdose can even be harmful to health. Test, therefore, warns against taking vitamin D tablets independently.
It is said to protect against depression, cardiovascular disease and even cancer. There is a lot of buzz around the dietary supplement vitamin D because, while it is important for the body, it can be dangerous in cases of vitamin D overdose.
Okotest has taken a closer look at the effects of the corresponding vitamin preparations – and even warns against excessive intake. Self-medication should never be attempted.
Vitamin D Overdose: What Causes Vitamin D Deficiency?
The body actually absorbs vitamin D from sunlight – which is why it is often referred to as the sun vitamin. In the wintertime, especially in darker areas, vitamin D deficiency can actually occur. In Scandinavia, foods are therefore often fortified with vitamin D, but this does not lead to a vitamin D overdose.
Drugstores and supermarkets are therefore teeming with vitamin D preparations, especially during the cold season. These are intended to remedy or counteract a vitamin D deficiency, because a vitamin D deficiency also greatly increases your risk of infection. However, experts expressly advise against acting independently – the risk of a vitamin D overdose is great.
Symptoms of vitamin D overdose
A nutrient deficiency can and should only ever be diagnosed by a doctor. He then prescribes effective preparations in the appropriate amount. However, with self-treatment, which many people prefer, there is a risk of vitamin D overdose.
Because too much of the substance can be harmful to your health. Side effects of a vitamin D overdose include:
- headache
- fatigue
- nausea
- Diarrhea
- constipation
- strong thirst
- cardiac arrhythmias
Over the long term, excess vitamin D can even lead to kidney failure.
Vitamin D overdose: Pills superfluous for healthy people
Furthermore, an additional intake of vitamin D is superfluous in most cases anyway – healthy people could not benefit from the dietary supplements. The risk of a vitamin D overdose is therefore higher for them.
Few people would actually be vitamin D deficient as the body is normally able to store vitamin D for the darker months of the year. Other groups that need vitamin D supplements include bedridden people and babies in their first year of life.
If a vitamin D deficiency is suspected, a doctor should always be consulted first, who will guide the treatment according to the results. Then you don’t have to worry about a vitamin D overdose.
