Vitamin D is often associated with strong bones and good overall health. As a result, many people take a daily supplement, particularly during the darker months.
However, the NHS warns that taking too much can do more harm than good.
Former chief pharmacist Jana Abelovska explains why vitamin D differs from many other vitamins and why it is important to be cautious about high intake.
"Don’t take too much vitamin D. Because it’s a fat soluble vitamin it can build up in your body easier than other vitamins", she explains to Surrey Live.
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When too much becomes harmful
According to the NHS, a high intake over a prolonged period can lead to elevated calcium levels in the blood, also known as hypercalcaemia.
This can put strain on the heart, kidneys and bones.
For this reason, the NHS has set a clear limit. Consuming more than 100 micrograms per day over an extended period is considered harmful to health for both adults and adolescents.
Daily recommendations
The official recommendations are lower. For most people, the recommended daily dose is 10 micrograms.
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For adults up to the age of 70, the recommendation is 15 micrograms. Pregnant and breastfeeding women, as well as young children, are mentioned as groups that often require extra attention.
The NHS also emphasizes that vitamin D needs vary throughout the year and depend on the amount of sunlight available in each country.
Sources: Pensionist.dk, LADbible, NHS, and Surrey Live.
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