vitamin-d3
Can you take too much vitamin D?
Futures Nutrition Editorial Team · 20 February 2022
Can you take too much vitamin D?
23 February 2022
Can you take too much vitamin D3?
Before jumping to conclusions, it is worth asking what "too much vitamin D3" actually means and where exactly the normal range lies. Intake within the normal range does no harm, whereas exceeding it can have negative effects.
What is the recommended vitamin D3 intake?
Normal vitamin D3 intake should lie between 5000 IU and 20,000 IU. Some studies indicate that an intake of up to 50,000 IU is also regarded as acceptable. This amount (up to 50,000 IU) is, however, only recommended for people with a severe vitamin D3 deficiency, and over an extended period.
Why is a range given rather than a fixed value?
Recommended values for all nutrients are given as a range, because normal requirements differ from person to person. There is agreement, however, that exceeding the recommended range can do more harm than good.
What counts as too much vitamin D3?
The normal range of recommended vitamin D3 intake runs from 5000 IU to 20,000 IU. At the very top, you may take 50,000 IU of vitamin D3. This is the Tolerable Upper Intake Level (UL), which indicates the maximum amount of vitamin D3 your body can tolerate without toxicity occurring.
Can you really overdo vitamin D3?
To answer the question definitively this time: yes, you can take too much vitamin D3. Anything beyond the recommended range can harm the body and cause vitamin D3 toxicity or hypervitaminosis.
Vitamin D3 hypervitaminosis
Excessive intake of vitamin D3 can lead to hypervitaminosis. Nausea and vomiting, as well as weakness and exhaustion, are common symptoms. An excess of vitamin D3 in the body can also damage your bones and contribute to calcification of soft tissue.
Vitamin D3 does not itself cause calcification of soft tissue. Normally, through the incorporation of calcium, it contributes to the maintenance of normal bones. But excessive availability of vitamin D3 in the body can lead to soft tissue calcifying as well.
Can too much vitamin D3 cause acne?
Too much vitamin D3 can cause acne. People taking vitamin D3 supplements are particularly susceptible. As a rule, supplements are prescribed to correct a deficiency. After prolonged use, once the deficiency has long been resolved, acne can be caused by an excess of vitamin D3 in the body.
Can too much vitamin D3 cause tinnitus?
Although there is not much information on the connection between a vitamin D3 overdose and tinnitus, a possible link exists. Some studies examining this relationship suggest that tinnitus, defined as ringing in the ears, may be a side effect of excessive vitamin D3 intake.
Can too much vitamin D3 cause heart palpitations?
Vitamin D3 is involved in calcium absorption, and too large an amount can cause hypercalcaemia in the body. This in turn can lead to over-excitability of the heart, which manifests as palpitations. There is compelling evidence that vitamin D3 toxicity causes palpitations.
Can too much vitamin D3 cause depression?
There is no robust evidence that an overdose of vitamin D3 causes depression. This association is not supported by research.
Conclusion
An excess of vitamin D3 is indeed possible and can lead to vitamin D3 toxicity. However, only those who take daily vitamin D3 doses up to the tolerable upper level fall victim to it. Taking vitamin D3 to prevent a deficiency is a good thing, but supplementation should still be kept in check.