Vitamin D is fundamental for our body: it contributes to the health of the bones, regulates the metabolism of calcium and has an important role in the immune system. It is no coincidence that it is often called “vitamin of the sun”, because our body is able to produce it thanks to the sun exposure.
In recent years, however, the habit of taking supplements without precise medical indications has spread. A behavior that can become risky, as shown what happened recently in the Balearic Islands, where 16 people were hospitalized for vitamin D toxicity. Everyone had taken on a supplement purchased online, which proved to be defective in the formulation.
Patients had symptoms similar to poisoning: nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, up to acute renal failure and very high levels of calcium in the blood. The episode prompted the Spanish health authorities to launch a national alert, to avoid further cases.
What happened in Spain
As the Spanish Ministry of Health says, 16 people were hospitalized in the Balearic Islands for toxicity by vitamin D after taking a supplement with a wrong formulation, purchased online and therefore without medical supervision.
The most common symptoms among patients were abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting, but clinical evaluation confirmed acute renal failure, hypercalcemia and high serum levels of vitamin D. Analysis that led to an investigation of public health that also found other cases of poisoning in otherwise healthy individuals who had consumed such multivitamin products purchased online without guidance or medical supervision.
Following the reports of adverse effects, the Spanish agency for food safety and nutrition (Aesan) has therefore issued a public health alert concerning a defective lot of vitamin D supplements: Advanced Vitamin X 90 Capsules, Lote 251268, de la Marca Erix Elite Sport Nutrition.
Because it should not be exaggerated with supplements
Often it is thought that, since it is vitamins, “the more there is, the better it is”. In reality it is not so: excess of vitamin D can be as harmful as the deficiency. In fact, an overdose can lead to hypercalcemia (too much calcium in the blood), kidney problems, gastrointestinal disorders and, in the most serious cases, permanent damage to the organs.
Experts remember that the average daily requirement is about 1000 international units. But not all the products on the market clearly report the dosage, and those who take supplements without medical indications risks making a mistake.
That’s why it’s fundamental:
Vitamin D is precious for our health, but like all substances it must be taken with balance. Self -medication can transform help into a risk. Better to always talk to a doctor and evaluate, case by case, if and how to integrate.
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