These are the Risks that Occur if You Consume Too Much Vitamin D

Illustration of vitamin D. (Freepik)

JAKARTA - This vitamin dubbed "the sunshine vitamin" is indeed needed by the body, but in the right amount. When the level is too high, the effect can be reversed to the detriment.

One of the main effects of excess vitamin D is increased calcium absorption in the body. This condition can trigger hypercalcemia, which is when the level of calcium in the blood is too high. As a result, calcium can settle in the arteries or soft tissues and cause various health problems.

The symptoms that appear are not mild. The body can experience nausea, vomiting, constipation, fatigue, muscle weakness, to pain in the bones. In the long term, this condition can also increase the risk of kidney stones and interfere with bone metabolism.

In more serious cases, untreated vitamin D excess can lead to kidney failure requiring hemodialysis. In fact, in extreme situations, this condition can trigger fatal intestinal bleeding.

Interestingly, some studies have also found that the elderly with too much vitamin D in the blood actually have a greater risk of falling.

In a 2018 review, researchers in the United States warned of "considerable hesitation" regarding the potential toxic effects of vitamin D. To date, scientists still disagree on the exact limit of how much vitamin D is considered excessive.

"With the increasing interest in vitamin D, partly fueled by popular books praising the benefits of high doses of vitamin D, it is not surprising that the number of cases of vitamin D poisoning has also increased," concluded the review's authors, quoted from the Science Alert page.

Although it sounds worrying, most cases of vitamin D poisoning can recover after the consumption of supplements is stopped and the patient receives treatment such as intravenous fluids or calcium-lowering drugs.

"Too much vitamin D increases calcium absorption, which can lead to hypercalcemia, a condition in which calcium forms dangerous deposits in the arteries or soft tissues. Watch your levels," warns a recent article on vitamin D from Harvard Medical School.

"If you take vitamin D supplements, you probably don't need more than 15 mcg to 20 mcg (600 IU to 800 IU) per day. Unless recommended by your medical team, avoid taking more than 100 mcg (4,000 IU) per day, which is considered the highest safe limit." he continued.

Excess vitamin D generally occurs not due to sun exposure or food, but rather due to the consumption of high-dose supplements that are not in accordance with recommendations. In some cases, dosage errors can even occur due to misinterpretation of prescriptions or product labels.

Therefore, it is important to be more careful in taking vitamin D supplements. If it is needed, it is best to consult a medical professional first so that the dose is in accordance with the body's needs. In the end, the key to the benefits of vitamin D remains the same, namely enough, not excessive.