Ahigh vitamin D levels, known as hypervitaminosis D, can cause damage to the body that causes various diseases. As a rule, adults need 600 international units of the sunshine vitamin per day, but an overdose can be harmful to health. If these values are exceeded for several months in a row, intoxication occurs.
How hypervitaminosis D affects health
Vitamin D, or the sunshine vitamin, represents a group of fat-soluble nutrients that are linked to stronger bones, teeth, and protection against mental health problems. Maintaining optimal vitamin D levels is extremely important for kidney function. However, its deficiency is known to affect the proper functioning of these organs. In addition, such toxicity is also known to cause harm. Accordingly, high levels of vitamin D also increase calcium levels in the blood, leading to hypercalcemia. The latter causes water loss through frequent urination and calcification of the kidneys. Vitamin D is obtained through exposure to sunlight, mushrooms, oily fish, fortified dairy products and dietary supplements. This nutrient is a must for everyone, but also one of the most difficult to obtain. As a result, many people rely heavily on supplements to meet their needs. However, you rarely notice an overdose, which could increase the risk of vitamin D toxicity.
Hypervitaminosis D can also cause the blood vessels in the kidneys to constrict. This impairs their normal functions. Over time, this can lead to kidney stones, kidney damage, or in extreme cases, kidney failure. On the one hand, vitamin D is a nutrient essential for psychological well-being. At the same time, it is known to cause confusion, psychosis, depression and, in extreme cases, even coma in the event of an overdose. This is also a result of hypercalcemia. Patients may also report agitation and unresponsiveness in such cases. Hypercalcemia can also affect the gastrointestinal tract and cause complications such as constipation, loss of appetite, nausea and diarrhea. This occurs due to vitamin D toxicity, with several studies having already confirmed the effects of an overdose of this nutrient and the corresponding gastrointestinal complications.
