What you should know about vitamin D

Mohamed Ibrahim Bassyouni
2020 / 5 / 13

Vitamin D

Vitamin D is not a vitamin but a hormone. This hormone absorbs calcium from the food in the digestive system to the body.

The elderly are among the groups that are partially vulnerable to vitamin D deficiency, because as they age, they cannot create vitamin D efficiently, and some of them are likely to spend more time indoors without adequate exposure to the sun, so they may have insufficient amounts of This vitamin. It is unlikely that individuals who are constantly at home, women who wear long robes and headgear for religious reasons, and people who have jobs that-limit- exposure to sunlight will receive an adequate share of vitamin D from sunlight.

Vitamin D is a fat soluble vitamin, so individuals with a low fat absorption capacity may be more susceptible to vitamin D deficiency. Malabsorption is associated with a variety of medical conditions such as celiac disease and Crohn s disease, as well as ulcerative colitis.

However, prolonged use of vitamin D in doses higher than the maximum may increase the risk of harmful health effects of the so-called toxicity. Most published reports indicate a vitamin D toxicity threshold from 10,000 to 40,000 IU / day.

Vitamin D toxicity can cause symptoms such as loss of appetite, weight loss, frequent urination and an irregular heartbeat. In the long term, this can raise the levels of calcium in the blood, which may lead to calcification of blood vessels and tissues, with the consequent damage to the heart, blood vessels and kidneys.
Vitamin D is produced in the body as a result of sun exposure, and it can also be obtained from certain foods such as certain types of fish and egg whites.

Like any other hormone in the body, vitamin D works to build the body and plays many roles in keeping the cells of the human body to be healthy and -function-ing the way they should work.

If the level of vitamin D in the body increases, the increase may expose the body to harm. Among the side effects that the body may be exposed to in the event of obtaining additional amounts of Vitamin D include the following:

1. High blood levels
When the body acquires sufficient levels of vitamin D in the blood, it helps increase immunity and protect against diseases such as osteoporosis and cancer.

Studies recommend that a vitamin level of 40-80 ng / mL (100-200 nmol / L) be maintained, and it is stated that levels higher than 100 ng / mL (250 nmol / L) may be harmful.
Although there are many people taking vitamin D supplements, it is rare to find someone with very high blood levels of this vitamin.

2. High levels of calcium in the blood
Vitamin D helps absorb calcium from food, and if excessive intake of Vitamin D, the level of calcium rises in the blood and results in serious, most important damage:
Digestive disorders, such as vomiting, nausea and stomach pain.
Fatigue, dizziness and confusion
Extreme thirst
* frequent urination.
The normal range for calcium in the blood is 8.5-10.2 mg / dL (2.1-2.5 mmol / L).
Eating too much vitamin D may lead to an increase in calcium levels in the blood, which may cause many serious symptoms.

3. Nausea, vomiting, and poor appetite
There is a close relationship between increased vitamin D intake and high calcium in the blood. This leads to nausea, vomiting, and poor appetite.
However, these symptoms do not appear in everyone with an increased level of calcium in the blood.

4. Stomach pain, constipation´-or-diarrhea
Stomach pain, constipation, and diarrhea occur in the event of food intolerance by the digestive system,´-or-irritable bowel syndrome, a term used to describe colon discomfort.
However, it can also be a sign of high calcium levels induced by vitamin D.
As with other symptoms, these symptoms may occur in people who receive high doses of vitamin D.

5. Weakness of the bone mass
Because vitamin D plays an important role in the absorption of calcium and metabolism in the bones, this helps maintain strong bones.
However, too much vitamin D can also be harmful to bone health.
On the other hand, vitamin K2 s -function-s are important in keeping calcium in the bones and leaving the blood. It is believed that very high levels of vitamin D may reduce the activity of vitamin K2.
To protect yourself from bone diseases, you should avoid eating vitamin D supplements, and eat foods rich in vitamin K2, such as dairy and meat.

6. Renal failure
Excessive intake of vitamin D leads to kidney injury.

Vitamin D is extremely important to public health, so you should take it and get it to the required levels, and not to overdo it to reduce the risk of side effects.




 




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