Be careful of vitamin D

[Suzanne]

I ran out of vitamin D3 and saw I had a container of vitamin D, which, in my ignorance, thought they were one of the same.

Since the covid started, I have been taking vitamin D3 every other day, but noticed that vitamin D was a very low dosage and to be taken every day, so I followed the instructions and it was not too long, that I started to feel ill. First, with extreme bloating. Then, with colicky feelings and then, tummy ache. A passing thought that perhaps the vit D could be the culprit, but brushed it aside and considering my age, concluded it must be the started of menopause. All kinds of horror thoughts came to mind ie the extreme or worst case scenario, since I could not eat as usual, with the fear of suffering.

Even saw a dr, who just did not want to know.

The tummy aches got worse, which really frightened me. And then, tuesday evening, the thought flashed through my mind. Could it be the vitamin D actually be the cause? So, I did a bit of research and most suggested both vitamins are the same. Then, I came upon a site, which said they are not the same. Vitamin D with calsium and too much of that can cause ALL THE SYMPTOMS I had been getting. I also, confirmed that my next tablet was the very day I started on the vitamin D! So, yesterday, I threw them away ( have my usual vitamin D3 on its way to me) and sure enough, no tummy ache all day. I did suffer a little in the night, but not for long.

Sadly, I took them for 13 days and can feel pressure around my lower tum and now, stupid health anxiety, is suggesting I have a terrible disease from taking those vitamins.

They are not smarties, as many attribute vitimins to.

 

[Aspychata]

I didn't know this.

 

[Rodafina]

They are not smarties, as many attribute vitimins to.

Yep. Even when they are "good" for you, must be taken properly.

 

[kenaij]

I have always believed there is no real need to take additional vitamins for almost all people. Only if there are very specific reasons you cannot absorb them from your food. Like people who are vegan. If you just make sure you eat enough veggies and an overall varried diet without too much junk you should be fine. Unless there is a medical reason your body has problems absorbing certain minerals or vitamins. But I don`t think supplements will help you in that case either.

 

[Rodafina]

Only if there are very specific reasons you cannot absorb them from your food.

I think sensory difficulties with eating could be one of those reasons. I am not a vegan, but don't eat dairy or meat products with additional restrictions due to sensory issues. I have hugely benefited from a b-12 supplement.

 

[kenaij]

I think sensory difficulties with eating could be one of those reasons. I am not a vegan, but don't eat dairy or meat products with additional restrictions due to sensory issues. I have hugely benefited from a b-12 supplement.

That is a very good example. The way I put it suggested more towards digestive reasons. But not being able to eat the food which would provide you with the nutrients is also a very good reason ofcourse.

I eat way less animal product compared to a couple of years ago. I used to really like chicken but I actually can`t stand it right now. The structure in my mount just feels really offputting. My son has the same thing with food. Some food is really just can`t get down. So he does not have to eat it. Luckily the foods are so varied he does not require any supplements.

 

[Neonatal RRT]

1. All things in moderation. Avoid "mega doses" of anything. If you take a daily multi-vitamin that gives you 50-100% of your RDA, fine. Unless you've got a specific metabolic condition, you probably don't need anything with 500% or more of the RDA.
2. Many vitamins and minerals work together as part of a working system. So, loading up on say, vitamin C alone can actually cause harmful oxidative reactions without the addition of vitamin E. C & E need to be taken together. D3 and K2, similarly, need to be taken together. D3 alone will help absorb calcium, into all the tissues, which is not good if it happens to cause stiffened blood vessels and muscle tissue and/or plaques on your brain. K2 is needed specifically for putting that calcium into your bones.
3. This idea that we can get all of our nutrients through our food in 2023 is absolutely bunk. Our food supply, especially in the US, is highly depleted of nutrients and our soils are often contaminated, not to mention all the insecticides we consume. Even those grown hydroponically, under glass, are subject to the nutrient solution the plants are being fed. The shear volume and varieties of foods we would need to supply our recommended daily allowance of the nutrients would be physical work even if we could find the varieties. We would be grazing all day like cattle. It's not a practical reality. If any one of us were to have our blood and tissues tested, most of us are walking around deficient in some nutrients, and what those are, are a reflection of the foods we eat or not eat.

 

[Captain Jigglypuff]

This is precisely why I refuse to take any vitamins unless a doctor specifically tells me that I need to take something. I just don’t trust them ever since I learned in ninth grade that some vitamins are extremely harmful if too much is stored within the body. Beta-carotene is especially dangerous and will actually turn your skin bright yellow before killing you. Some health food nut in the 70s ended up killing himself by drinking 10 gallons of carrot juice in ten days and he turned bright yellow before his liver had shut down. The only time I will take a vitamin is if it has been prescribed by my doctor.

 

[AndyFBlues]

Most vitamins are water-soluble, which means that the body will flush away any extra amounts that are not needed. Vitamins A, D, E, and K are fat-soluble. Too much of any of these can build up in the body and cause health problems.

 

[Mary Terry]

My doctor told me many years ago to take a daily multivitamin and 2000 units of D3 every day and he still asks me if I continue to do so. My annual blood work indicates that my calcium, D, B, iron, etc. levels are fine. I'll continue to do it until I'm told by the doctor not to do it.

 

[Toirtis]

I have always believed there is no real need to take additional vitamins for almost all people. Only if there are very specific reasons you cannot absorb them from your food. Like people who are vegan. If you just make sure you eat enough veggies and an overall varried diet without too much junk you should be fine. Unless there is a medical reason your body has problems absorbing certain minerals or vitamins. But I don`t think supplements will help you in that case either.

Ah, but consider this. Many/most autistics have a limited to very limited diet due to sensory issues, and as a result, I would estimate that ¾ or more of autistics are malnutrition to some degree, and are receiving an insufficient amount of one or more vitamins and minerals. Fortunately, a single comprehensive multi-vitamin/mineral supplement each day can fill in any insufficiency without excess.

 

[Toirtis]

This is precisely why I refuse to take any vitamins unless a doctor specifically tells me that I need to take something. I just don’t trust them ever since I learned in ninth grade that some vitamins are extremely harmful if too much is stored within the body. Beta-carotene is especially dangerous and will actually turn your skin bright yellow before killing you. Some health food nut in the 70s ended up killing himself by drinking 10 gallons of carrot juice in ten days and he turned bright yellow before his liver had shut down. The only time I will take a vitamin is if it has been prescribed by my doctor.

Yes, but to be fair, you would need, as in the story you referenced, a very excessive amount of vitamin A (in that case, in the form of beta-carotene) to prove hazardous....a single multi-vitamin daily will not harm you (except in rare medical conditions), but it is always the correct thing to consult your physician before starting any vitamin/mineral/herbal supplements.

 

[kenaij]

Ah, but consider this. Many/most autistics have a limited to very limited diet due to sensory issues, and as a result, I would estimate that ¾ or more of autistics are malnutrition to some degree, and are receiving an insufficient amount of one or more vitamins and minerals. Fortunately, a single comprehensive multi-vitamin/mineral supplement each day can fill in any insufficiency without excess.

Actually everything I said did consider that. Because then you have a (medical) reason for not getting in enough vitamins/minerals from your diet. Because you cannot eat all types of food to eat those vitamins and minerals.

 

[Captain Jigglypuff]

Ah, but consider this. Many/most autistics have a limited to very limited diet due to sensory issues, and as a result, I would estimate that ¾ or more of autistics are malnutrition to some degree, and are receiving an insufficient amount of one or more vitamins and minerals. Fortunately, a single comprehensive multi-vitamin/mineral supplement each day can fill in any insufficiency without excess.

I’ve never really had any sensory issues with food unless it is too tough and feels like rubber but then again that is understandable. I eat a wide variety of food and get a lot of vitamins. Only one I occasionally have Troy with is Vitamin D but that is a really common issue with people living in my state. It usually is at an acceptable level and only twice have I had to get a high dosage prescribed to me. And both times were after the winter months.

 

[Ganeks]

I took the wrong kind of supplement without knowing and it messed my stomach up bad. Turns out some vitamin D tabs come with calcium and it’s easy to overdo it without realizing. Now I just use this app called Menalam to keep track. It gives me a custom plan based on my health and even adjusts stuff if I update my labs or symptoms. Made things way easier and no more guessing or mixing up stuff.

 

[Captain Jigglypuff]

I tried taking those gummy vitamins and while I thought they tasted decent and was an easier way for me to take a multivitamin, I would often forget to take it every morning and the gummies sort of melted into a large hard clump after a month or two of being opened. Pills make me gag really hard unless I take them with something carbonated because the bubbles help your throat relax a bit and forces you to swallow. I try to avoid taking pills if I can.

 

[Chonebox]

I have taken 10 000UI for short term. I take 2500 IU daily, there's no issues. I wouldn't go beyond 1000IU unless you test for vitamin d levels.

 

[Chonebox]