What Are The Side Effects And Potential Complications Of Taking Vitamin D?

With all the information and disinformation on the internet about nutraceuticals, Vitamin D is a vitamin that you do not want to miss as a supplement to treat chronic pain.

The trouble is, if you live in the northern part of the U.S., you are likely to be Vitamin D deficient during the winter months even if your diet is adequate (the majority of our Vitamin D is manufactured through skin conversion from sun exposure) .

Vitamin D works by effecting calcium and phosphorus absorption and excretion. It is essential for bone health and has effects on our kidneys, liver, skin, immune system, and central nervous system.

In some ways Vitamin D is more a hormone as we don’t really need to get it from our diet when we have adequate sun exposure (vitamins are, by definition, coenzymes that our body cannot manufacture).

What Does Vitamin D Treat?

Because Vitamin D has so many effects on the human body treatment guidelines were published on the various types of disorders Vitamin D can treat. The following is a listing of disorders for treatment:

Vitamin D Supplementation Provides Definite Benefit

“Rickets” (Vitamin D Deficiency)

Osteoporosis

Osteomalacia

Psoriasis

Hyperparathyroidism

Hypoparathyroidism

Renal Osteodystrophy

Vitamin D Supplementation Has Probable Benefit

Preventing Falls in the Elderly

Obesity

Vascular Disease

Vitamin D Supplementation Has Possible Benefit

Depression

Premenstral Syndrome

Cancer

Multiple Sclerosis

Respiratory Infections in Children (Common cold/Influenza)

Teeth/Gum Disease

Scleroderma

Systemic Lupus Erythematosis

Rheumatoid Arthritis





What Is The Proper Dose of Vitamin D?

The answer to that question is more complicated than you might think. Vitamin D being a “fat soluable” vitamin can accumulate in your body and cause toxic side effects.

When it comes to fat soluable vitamins more is not always better. The dosing range of 400 IU per day to 5000 IU per day has been safely recommended in adults.

What Are The Side Effects And Potential Complications Of Taking Vitamin D?

Because Vitamin D is really a hormone you are taking, consider taking the higher dosage range under the direction of your primary care provider. They may want to check a 25-hydroxyvitamin D level prior to initiating therapy.





People who are taking medications that up-regulate liver function (such as medications for epilepsy) may need 2 or 3 times the dose of other people. Finally, people who are taking Diuretics, Calcium Channel Blockers, and Digoxin will want to be guided by their primary care provider also.

Finally

Vitamin D is an essential, inexpensive, and safe supplement that has demonstrated excellent results with pain reduction, enhancing bone health, and treating a wide variety of disorders.

If you have a question please leave comment it below.Wishing you joy and healing.