Vitamin D Side Effects

Vitamin D is necessary in the body in that it modulates neuromuscular function, reduces inflammation and influences the action of many genes that regulate the proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis of cells. Taking too much Vitamin D can cause side effects. Adversely, not having enough can also lead to negative effects. Insufficient Vitamin D can lead to thin, brittle or misshapen bones while sufficient Vitamin D can prevents rickets in children and osteomalacia in adults. Vitamin D together with calcium helps prevent osteoporosis in older adults.

Vitamin D taken by an adult in more than 1250 micrograms per day is deemed to be toxic for the body. An overly increased intake of Vitamin D may make the person hypersensitive and develop the condition known as hypercalcemia. This over dose can lead to the main symptoms of hypercalcemia such as anorexia, nausea, vomiting, followed by polyuria, polydipsia, weakness, nervousness, pruritus and renal failure. Conditions such as proteinuria, urinary casts, azotemia and metastatic calcification especially in the kidney can also develop. If this condition is known to occur, the patient must immediately stop taking Vitamin D because kidney failure is irreversible.

Vitamin D is known to be safe for intake in pregnant women. However, a high dose can cause vitamin D side effects which is deemed toxic for a pregnant woman and can cause harm to the fetus. An increased Vitamin D in the system can cause an increase in the calcium levels of the body. This can increase the risk of hardening of arteries in patients with serious kidney diseases. This must also be maintained in at equilibrium state to prevent renal osteodystrophy which is a bone disease that occurs when the kidneys fail to maintain the proper levels of calcium and phosphorus in the blood.

Patients with the medical condition of sarcoidosis may have an increase calcium level upon the increase of Vitamin D. This can lead to the development of kidney stones. This is also the case for patients with histoplasmosis, hyperparathyroidism and lymphoma.

Vitamin D has an effect on drug interactions as well such as those taking aluminum, atorvastatin, calcipotriene, digoxin, diltiazem, medications that are changed by the liver such as cytochrome P450 3A4 substrates, verapamil and water pills. There are also noted minor drug interactions among patients taking cimetidine, heparin and low molecular weight heparins. There is also a drug interaction with magnesium supplements. Certain medications for kidney and heart conditions must be noted as these drug interactions can aggravate it. In some other medication it can lessen its efficacy so intake of Vitamin D must be monitored.

What is Vitamin D?

Vitamin D functions a great role for human health. It is responsible for the absorption and metabolism of certain mineral like phosphorus and calcium, which are also responsible for bone growth and development, thus lowering the risk for bone problems like multiple sclerosis. This vitamin is also considered an immune system controller, thus is very important defense against diseases. It is also believed that it has the key role in assisting the human brain to be working and functioning well.

A fact is known that this vitamin can be obtain from sunlight and people that receives adequate sunlight does not need supplements, yet a fact also contradicts this belief because sunlight is not a mere source of Vitamin D, it only triggers the production of this vitamins in the skin.

The Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) for this vitamin ranges from 200 IU to 600 IU. RDA is the amount needed for the body to meet its daily nutrient requirement to sustain its individual health needs in a particular age group. Based on researches, children from 1 year old and elderly up to age 50, pregnant and lactating mothers need 200 IU daily. While age 50-70 requires 400 IU and age 70 up needs 600 IU daily. There are certain foods that are rich in Vitamin D namely liver oil, salmon, mackerel, tuna fish, sardines, non-fat milk, margarine, pudding, cereals, egg, beef and liver, and cheese.

Vitamin D deficiency occurs when the recommended daily allowance is not met. Hypovitaminosis D is the condition named for its deficiency. This condition resulted from inadequate vitamin intake and exposure to sunlight. It is best known that the heat of the sun has its therapeutic effects from 7 until 9 in the morning. And pass 9 o’clock is already harmful to the skin. The deficiency can lead to serious health problems of bone diseases like rickets and osteoporosis, if left unmanaged and untreated.

Preventing deficiency is a healthy way of life, yet must be also cautious not too have too much. Recent studies have shown that although lower levels of Vitamin D can cause heart problems, too much amount can also lead to atrial fibrillation, where the heart beats faster and makes it out of rhythm.