Vitamin D Toxicity
A deficiency of vitamin D can either result from inadequate exposure to sunlight or insufficient dietary intake as well as absorption. Sometimes, even if it is absorbed, the body cannot convert it to an active form, mainly in conditions like liver, kidney and hereditary diseases. In addition to these, older individuals are more likely to suffer from vitamin D deficiency, as the ability of the skin to produce this vitamin declines with advancing age. Therefore, many individuals have to take supplementation of vitamin D to meet the daily requirement.

But most of the people taking vitamin D supplementation are unaware of the fact that this vitamin can be toxic if present in higher than the required amount. This is known as vitamin D toxicity, which can result either from a single overdose of supplementation or intake of small doses for a prolonged time period. Vitamin D toxicity or higher level of vitamin in the body can give rise to some really serious consequences or side effects. Here is an account of some of these problems as well as the symptoms of vitamin D toxicity.

Symptoms of Vitamin D Toxicity
When the level of vitamin D increases in the body, it also raises the level of calcium in blood. The obvious result of this condition is hypercalcemia or presence of abnormally high level of calcium in blood. Hypercalcemia is responsible for producing most of the symptoms of vitamin D toxicity. The early vitamin D toxicity symptoms include, gastrointestinal disorders like anorexia, diarrhea, constipation, nausea and vomiting. Bone pain, drowsiness, continuous headache, irregular heart beat, loss of appetite, muscle and joint pain are some other early symptoms that are likely to appear within few days or weeks after a vitamin D overdose.

The individuals are also likely to experience alternating periods of constipation and diarrhea due to the presence of excessive vitamin D. Frequent urination, especially at night, excessive thirst, weakness, nervousness and itching are some other common vitamin D toxicity symptoms. Kidney diseases have been found to be commonly associated with severe vitamin D toxicity, which can lead to elevated protein level in blood, formation of urinary casts and kidney stones, abnormal level of calcium in urine. Vitamin D toxicity have been also found to increase the risk of ischaemic heart disease. An overdose for a very long period can lead to the development of calcium crystals in the soft tissues of the body. High blood pressure and kidney failure are the main complications associated with vitamin D toxicity.

Though our skin can synthesize vitamin D in the presence of sunlight, prolonged exposure to sunlight cannot cause toxicity. Toxicity is also less likely to be produced by the intake of vitamin D rich foods like salmon, mackerel, tuna, sardines, soy products, seaweeds, legumes, beans, and milk and dairy products. The most important risk factor for vitamin D toxicity is taking vitamin supplements. So adequate precautionary measures should be followed while taking vitamin D supplementation. Individuals taking vitamin D supplementation should consult a physician regarding the appropriate or safe doses of vitamin D and remain vigilant for the symptoms of toxicity.

Side Effects of Vitamin D

Vitamin D side effects can be broadly broken down into 2 categories, which are overdose and deficiency.

Overdose of Vitamin D
Overdose of vitamin D makes the intestines absorb too much calcium. As a result, levels of calcium in blood will increase. This will lead to the calcification of soft tissues in the body like the heart, lungs, blood vessels and renal tubules, that will impair their ability to function properly.

High levels of vitamin D may also have a negative effect on the functioning of the renal system. This will be manifested in the form of polyuria, nocturia, polydipsia and renal failure.

Another symptom of vitamin D overdose include formation of kidney stones that may cause a lot of pain. Mental retardation, nausea, weakness of the muscles, muscle cramps, muscle atrophy, severe headache and nervousness are associated with high levels of vitamin D in the blood. Overdose of vitamin D also makes one prone to high blood pressure and heart diseases.

Deficiency of Vitamin D
The two classic effects of vitamin D deficiency are rickets in children and osteoporosis in adults. Rickets causes the bones to become soft due to which they become to prone to fractures. It also causes deformity of the long bones. Although it can occur in adults, in most cases, rickets is found in children suffering from severe malnutrition.

In osteoporosis, the bone mineral density is reduced because of which the bones become weak and tend to get fractured easily. Although this is a very common problem in women after they reach menopause, men may also suffer from osteoporosis due to old age. Besides osteoporosis, low levels of vitamin D may cause osteomalacia in an adult which results in the weakening of muscles along with softening of the bones. Other symptoms of low vitamin D levels include insomnia, weight loss, pain in the bones and muscles and weakening of the immune system.

It is important to maintain proper intake of the sunshine vitamin in the body, as inappropriate levels will result in side effects of vitamin D. Taking a balanced diet can ensure the right amount of all nutrients in the body. Besides that, regular exercise and proper rest can also help one lead a healthy life.

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Foods That Contain Vitamin D
One of the biggest food sources of vitamin D is the oil that is derived from fish such as Cod. Most of the fish that contain a generous amount of fat prove to be a good source of vitamin D.
The cod liver oil that is derived from the cod fish, if consumed regularly and periodically proves to be very healthy for the body, especially for the skin.
Herring also provides a good quantity of vitamin D.
Some fish become good sources of vitamin D, only when they are cooked. Some of the prominent examples are: Salmon, Mackerel and Eel.
Canned Sardine and Tuna are also very good sources of vitamin D.
Some people are always surprised to hear this, but an egg consumed every day also provide the required quantity of vitamin D in the human body.
Cooked beef, lever and some specific types of mushrooms are also very good vitamin D food sources.
It is also advisable that if possible, one should stand in the fresh morning sunlight for about 10 to 15 minutes every day, in order to generate natural and adequate quantities of vitamin D in the skin itself.
Deficiency of Vitamin D

There are some significant advantages of consuming vitamin D, like healthy skin, good bone density etc. However low levels of vitamin D may result into some serious health problems.
Rickets: Rickets is a growth disorder that results due to a deficiency of vitamin D. This disorder is commonly observed in small children. Some of the symptoms of rickets are deformed and long bones, slow physical growth and deformity.
Osteomalacia: Osteomalacia is another disorder that results from the vitamin D deficiency. The basic symptoms of this disorder are softening of the human skeleton and defective mineralization of bones.
Osteoporosis: Osteoporosis is another disorder caused by the reduced intake of vitamin D. Osteoporosis is characterized by a severe weakening of bones and bone demineralization. People with osteoporosis are at a higher risk of unrecoverable fractures.
The importance of consumption of vitamin D is further increased as a result of the discovery as its role in cancer prevention and cancer cure. Vitamin D also helps in the recovery of patients suffering from cardiovascular diseases. One of the best ways to integrate a good amount of vitamin D is to have a fish at least once a month and stand in the morning sun for at least 10 to 15 minutes. For the vegetarians, a bowl of cereal and milk every morning is more than sufficient. Another convenient way to consume vitamin D is to have a boiled egg.

vitamin D help absorbed calcium in our body we can get it from sun light
above 5o yrs of old people need vitamin D with calcium cause prevent of osteoporosis

nice articles...........