Vitamin D is key for a healthy life, protecting against neurodegenerative and immune diseases. While people get most of the vitamin D that they need from sunlight in the summer months, this isn't always the case during the winter.
Because of this supplementation can be needed during winter months, especially in Scotland where the clouds can set in earlier and last longer. However, you can overdo it on vitamin D supplements health experts have warned.
Cases of "hypervitaminosis D" are reportedly on the rise, caused when people overdose on vitamin D supplementation. Most recently, a BMJ Case Report revealed that a man was rushed to hospital for the condition for several days.
The man was said to be taking 20 over-the-counter supplements every day, as well as other vitamins, minerals, nutrients and probiotic supplements. This led to a vitamin D level in the patient's blood that exceeded the required amount seven times.
This had a severe impact on the man's health, reports the Express, leading to high levels of calcium and causing several symptoms including tinnitus, weight loss, increased thirst and diarrhoea, which did not reverse after supplementation was stopped.
The authors of the case report wrote: “Globally, there is a growing trend of hypervitaminosis D, a clinical condition characterised by elevated serum vitamin D3 levels.
“Given its slow turnover, during which vitamin toxicity develops, symptoms can last for several weeks."
“This case report further highlights the potential toxicity of supplements that are largely considered safe until taken in unsafe amounts or in unsafe combinations,” added the authors.
A well-known complication of low vitamin D levels is rickets, which results from low levels of calcium the body needs to build bones. For this reason, the Government advises that everyone consider taking a daily vitamin D supplement during the autumn and winter, according to the NHS.
The health body adds: “People at high risk of not getting enough vitamin D, all children aged one to four, and all babies (unless they’re having more than 500 ml of infant formula a day) should take a daily supplement throughout the year.“
Because vitamin D is created by the body through the action of sunlight, populations with less exposure to the sun are at higher risk of deficiency.
The Harvard T.H Chan School of Public Health explains: “Few foods naturally contain vitamin D, though some foods are fortified with the vitamin.
“For most people, the best way to get enough vitamin D is taking a supplement because it is hard to eat enough through food."
Some good dietary sources include certain types of fish, beef liver, and mushrooms.
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