Vitamin D Key Facts
The amount of Vitamin D that is needed can vary widely between individuals. Some people might just need a small dosage such as Vitamin D 400 units. A more common dosage is Vitamin D 1,000 and a few people who really struggle to metabolize Vitamin D may need Vitamin D 50,000.
How much each person needs depends on a number of factors. Vitamin D is naturally created in our bodies by exposure to sun rays. The higher the intensity of those rays and the longer you are subjected to them the more Vitamin D your body will create and the less you will need from supplements.
If you live near the equator or spend lots of time outdoors your body very well could get all the Vitamin D that you need naturally. It needs to be noted that using sunscreen reduces how much Vitamin D you get from sun exposure. As sun cancer is a serious risk, and gets a bigger threat the more the ozone gets depleted, not taking sunscreen so you can get more exposure to sun rays isn't a good way to increase your Vitamin D levels.
Your age is also a factor, the older you are, the more Vitamin D you need. The elderly also suffer from weaker bone density, arthritis. A Vitamin D deficiency can worsen both of those.
It is possible to get your Vitamin D levels checked. A test can be ordered online or provided by your doctor. It would be advisable to call your physician's office to make sure that he conducts Vitamin D level checks. Signs of Vitamin D deficiency include acne problems, depression, obesity, insomnia, weak bones and a poor immune symptoms. Just because you may be experiencing these symptoms, does not necessarily mean it is caused by low Vitamin D levels.
If you decide that you wish to try Vitamin D supplements it is advisable to start with a lower dosage. If that dose doesn't provide any side effects you can try moving up to a higher dosage to see if you get additional benefits.
It is a good precaution to start at a lower dosage as you never know if your body is sensitive to Vitamin D supplements. You don't want to take a large dose and discover your body has negative reactions to it. By taking a small dose if your body does react poorly to it the side effects won't be as large.
Vitamin D overdose is quite a rare occurrence. Signs that you may been suffering from an overdose include: extremely thirsty, sluggish, pounding headaches, insomnia, ringing in your ears. Prolonged overdose of Vitamin D can lead to Hyperphosphatemia, which is too much phosphorus in your blood stream. This may lead to serious conditions such as cardiovascular disease or clogged arteries. Hypertension, also known as high blood pressure, is also a sign of too much Vitamin D.
The majority of people who take Vitamin D supplements don't experience any of these side effects. If you try Vitamin D and you experiences these side effects it is best to consult with your physician.
http://vitamind50000.net Discusses if people might need this high of a dose. For signs of Vitamin D deficiency read http://vitamind50000.net/can-you-overdose-on-vitamin-d/.
