To keep the body healthy, everything from vitamins to minerals are required. Along with Vitamin E and B12, the one vitamin that plays a big role in keeping the body healthy is Vitamin D. Vitamin D is very important for our bones, teeth and immune system. In such a situation, there should not be any deficiency of it in the body, but the thing to note is that its excessive use can be harmful.
It is worth noting that taking excessive Vitamin D can have adverse effects on your kidneys. Many people take Vitamin D tablets to get less sunlight or to maintain good health. But often people take excessive doses of it, which spoils their health instead of improving it. If you are also among those who are taking Vitamin D pills without thinking, then this news is for you. Dr. Naveenth M., Consultant Nephrologist (Kidney Specialist) and Kidney Transplant Doctor at the Asian Institute of Nephrology and Urology, Chennai, has told how much Vitamin D should be taken and what are the side effects in the body if it is consumed in excess.
How much Vitamin D should one take?
Most people need only a small amount of vitamin D daily. According to kidney expert Dr. Navinath M, people need about 400 to 1,000 IU of Vitamin D a day. But if someone continues to take more than 4,000 IU daily or 8,000–12,000 IU for several months, then it can be dangerous for health.
Dr. Navinath explains that some people unknowingly take 60,000 IU pills every day, which is a very high amount. This increases calcium in the blood, which is called hypercalcemia. when this happens kidney But there is too much pressure and it can also get damaged.
How does excessive Vitamin D harm the kidneys?
Dr. Navinath says that excessive amount of Vitamin D in the body can be harmful for your kidneys. When the kidneys have to remove extra calcium from the blood for a long time, this calcium starts accumulating in the kidneys. Gradually, kidney stones start forming due to this. Along with this, calcium also gets deposited in the kidneys and the small filters present inside the kidneys also get damaged. If the condition becomes very serious, kidney failure may also occur.
Symptoms of Vitamin D Overdose
According to Dr. Navinath, if there is excess Vitamin D in the body, its symptoms are not always visible immediately. However, when symptoms appear, you should
- nausea and vomiting
- feeling very thirsty
- frequent urination
- weakness in muscles
- confusion or extreme fatigue
- Pain in the lower back or side (kidney pain)
Along with these symptoms, if the kidneys get badly damaged due to Vitamin D, then symptoms of kidney failure can also appear. These include swelling in legs, fatigue and difficulty in breathing.
How to avoid vitamin D overdose?
Overdose of Vitamin D in the body usually occurs when people start taking supplements without doctor’s advice, use multiple products that contain Vitamin D or get high-dose injections without supervision. To avoid this, always take Vitamin D as per the doctor’s advice and do not exceed the recommended dosage. If you have to take supplements for a long time, then keep getting your blood tested from time to time so that the levels of Vitamin D and calcium remain normal and there is no harm.
—- End —-
