Vitamin D is a fat soluble vitamin, a sterol chemically related to cholesterol and to the hormone of adrenal cortex and sex glands. Vitamin D plays a vital role in development of bones and its growth.
There are two types of vitamin D- D2 and D3. Of this Vitamin D3 is the natural form of vitamin which occurs in man and other animals. Vitamin D3 is obtained from ultraviolet rays of sun and from food products such as milk, cheese, butter and dairy products, and in fish oils such as cod liver oil.
What Is Too Much Vitamin D?
Vitamin D helps to maintain blood calcium and phosphorus levels, in development of bones and functioning of nervous system. Proper vitamin D helps to prevent breast cancer, prostate cancer and cancer of colon. Pregnant women may need more vitamin D for proper bony growth in the fetus.
Recommended dose of vitamin D in a child above one year is 2000 IU.
Side Effects Of High Levels Of Vitamin D
Too much of vitamin D can cause many health problems, it is also called hypervitaminosis D.
- Large dose are toxic and cause hypercalcaemia (increase level of calcium in blood).
- Kidney stones, deposition of calcium in kidney and kidney failure.
- High level of calcium in blood can cause heart rhythm defects, heart murmurs, hypertension, and in some cases cardiac arrest. This happens when there is too much vitamin D in the body.
Too Much Vitamin D Symptoms
- Too much vitamin d can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, drowsiness.
- Too much of vitamin D in pregnant women can cause congenital birth defects in child.
It is recommended that all patients on large dose of vitamin D should have their blood calcium level checked at regular interval.
Always consult your physician before taking vitamin D supplement.