For this reason, many Germans always turn to vitamin D in winter. Caution is advised here. Because vitamin D can be overdosed. “If you take too much, increased calcium levels (hypercalcemia) occur in the body, which can acutely lead to nausea, loss of appetite, abdominal cramps, vomiting or, in extremely severe cases, kidney damage, cardiac arrhythmias, unconsciousness and death,” says the doctor. Since vitamin D can be stored in the body, according to the expert, not only an acute overdose but also a gradual overdose is possible.
You should not combine these supplements with each other
The keyword hypercalcemia leads us to another problem. If possible, vitamin D should not be taken at the same time as calcium - at least not without medical monitoring. Because that could have the same effect as an overdose. “When taking at the same timeCalcium and Vitamin DThe calcium level in the blood should definitely be monitored regularly. Because vitamin D promotes the absorption of calcium from the intestine and can therefore increase the calcium level in the blood and have serious consequences,” explains Lisa Köhler.
Also atiron and calciumAccording to the doctor, caution is advised: “They are competing for admission. Calcium can therefore block iron absorption. That’s why it makes sense to take iron-containing supplements away from calcium.” There is no acute, major danger hidden here, but it still doesn't make sense. If you take iron with calcium together, you can also leave out the iron.
Can supplements influence the effects of medications?
“Just like medications, dietary supplements can also trigger interactions with other medications and with each other,” says Lisa Köhler. It is therefore important to always have a professional clarify whether and which supplements are being taken at the same time before taking medication. As an example, the doctor cites an interaction between certain mineral supplements such asIron, calcium, magnesium etc. and certain antibiotics. “These can reduce the absorption of the antibiotic in the intestine – making it less effective,” says Lisa Köhler.
She continues: “AlsoSt. John's wortIt has been proven that it can influence the effect of some medications because it stimulates degrading enzymes in the liver. For example atblood thinners or birth control pills.” This may weaken their effect. For this reason, taking St. John's wort should always be checked with a doctor beforehand.
Gender health gap: This is why a given dosage of supplements for women is often not correct
Do women need different amounts than men? For Alisa Türck and Cindy Alambwa, the founders of the dietary supplement brand Casimir, the answer is very clear: “Yes!” And once again we find ourselves in the middle of the gender health gap. Casimir is the first brand in the DACH region to offer supplements specifically for women. “If anything, there is usually only one standard dosage value. And its focus is on men, as they still make up the majority of study subjects,” explains Alisa Türck.
There are clear differences between the few minerals where the studies go deeper and a distinction is made between the needs of women and men. And these can even have serious consequences. “For example, women have a higher daily requirement of a third of iron compared to men. While with zinc it is exactly the other way around. This is not without danger, because a permanent overdose of minerals can have toxic consequences,” explains Cindy Alambwa of the study. And since everything is adapted to men's needs, it is women who unknowingly overdose. Or, in the case of iron, are often undersupplied despite regular intake.
When it comes to the question of the correct dosage of supplements, doctor Lisa Köhler also emphasizes: “Depending on the person, previous illness, etc., there are big differences in the question of need. And not every product is equally suitable for every person.”
Despite oversupply: How to recognize high-quality supplements
Visually, supplements often resemble medicines. However, it is important to know that dietary supplements are classified as food and not as medication. “Therefore the legal situation is completely different than with medicines. The supplements do not go through an approval process and there is no health assessment,” explains doctor Lisa Köhler.
Her tip: “If you buy the products, you should use reputable manufacturers and make sure that they do not contain any advertising promises that promote a cure. If you want to be on the safe side, seek advice from a doctor or pharmacy or take a look at the MedWatcher app. It provides a lot of extra information about medicines and nutritional supplements.”
