The impact of too much vitamin D

There are clear benefits for having optimal levels of Vitamin D in the body. For instance, it:

• Primes and helps modulate the immune system; protecting against viruses, colds and respiratory infections
• Is responsible for pulling calcium from the GI tract and ensuring it gets to the bones
• Supports the tight gap junctions of the gut; protecting you against “leaky gut” and related symptoms
• Helps regulate the balance of other steroid hormones in the body by sensitizing receptors

HOWEVER…

More is not better in the case of vitamin D.  Taking 5,000 IU’s or higher, or taking a super large dose once per week, can be problematic and your doctor may not connect the dots.

Here are some of the ways too much vitamin D can impact your health: 

• Depletion of other vitamins like vitamin A and magnesium. High doses of vitamin D occupies all the available hormone receptor sites, leaving no space for vitamin A or magnesium to be absorbed. Both vitamin A and magnesium are needed to properly convert and use the active form of Vitamin D.
• Can create the environment to have too much available, unusable calcium. If that calcium isn’t properly “locked into” bones by sufficient levels of magnesium and vitamin K2, that calcium will begin to calcify soft tissue leading to other problems in the body.
• Large doses of the inactive form of vitamin D (e.g. once per week large dose), can fill all the available receptors, leaving none available for the *active* and usable form of vitamin A.
• High amounts of vitamin D can suppress the innate immune system.  If you’re having a difficult time curing an infection, it could be vitamin D holding back your immune system.
• Large amounts of vitamin D can exacerbate hot flashes, when estrogen levels are low. Especially if you take weekly, large doses of vitamin D.

★ How to supplement with vitamin D ★

• Select vitamin D3 over D2, it’s easier to convert to the active form
• Consider mixing vitamin D3 with vitamin K2 to ensure adequate conversion and use of vitamin D
• Increase your dosage slowly; liquid form is great for modulating your dose easily
• Take vitamin D in small daily dose vs. large weekly dose
• Current research suggest optimal levels for non-autoimmune individuals to be around 40-50 ng/ml
• Ensure adequate levels of magnesium and vitamin A is present before starting with high doses of vitamin D
• Ensure optimal kidney function; vast majority of vitamin D conversion to active form, takes place in the kidney.

★ Remember ★

• Just because your taking vitamin D, doesn’t mean you’re body is absorbing and using it!
• Too much of a good thing, can be bad. Be aware of dosing too high, too fast.
• When possible, get your vitamin D from sun exposure.  The body is built to regulate usage all on its own and does a far better job than we ever could with supplementation.
• The sun has to be at a high enough angle to stimulate synthesis in our skin cells. The process is about sun angle and skin exposure, sans sun screen — not about whether or not you get sun burned.  

Vitamin D is a hormone (NOT A VITAMIN) and you should supplement with caution.

I encourage you to work with a trained Functional Nutritionist who understands your unique needs and can help you develop a complete holistic action plan so that you can reclaim health and vitality!  To learn more about how I can help, please click here.