Dietary supplements with vitamin D are not advisable for all people

Which people should not take dietary supplements with vitamin D.?

Vitamin D is generally important for the human body. This vitamin is usually made in the body with the help of sunbeams. Especially in the fall and winter time, the power of the sun decreases and most people spend because of the uncomfortable and wet-cold weather only very little time outdoors. This can easily cause vitamin D deficiency. Patients often resort to so-called nutritional supplements to cover their vitamin D needs. Physicians warn, however, that this supplemental vitamin D is not useful for every man.

The experts of the Apothekerkammer Niedersachsen explained that dietary supplements with vitamin D are not useful for all people. Researchers published a press release on the topic, clarifying which people should not take vitamin D supplements.

Especially in winter, many people suffer from a lack of vitamin D. Many of those affected then resort to dietary supplements. Experts warn now, however, that such dietary supplements with vitamin D are not suitable for all people. (Image: Zerbor / fotolia.com)

In winter, there is often a lack of vitamin D.

When the sun loses its power in the winter, the body of many people no longer provides enough vitamin D. Of course, there are special preparations to help those affected and provide appropriate remedies. We are talking about so-called nutritional supplements. But are such products really suitable for everyone? Or can even problems with the intake occur? And are there special features that must be taken into account when taking? These and other questions the pharmacist chamber Niedersachsen tries to answer on their website.

Which people are particularly affected?

In fact, there are some populations in the population who are most likely to have vitamin D deficiency. These include, for example, adolescents and young adults, athletes and men over the age of 50, and postmenopausal women. Even dark-skinned people and residents of nursing homes are often undersupplied with vitamin D, the authors explain. In addition, problems may arise if everyday products contain a sunscreen factor (over ten), such as some day creams and other personal care products. The added SPF increases the need for vitamin D among the users.

In the winter months there is often a deficiency of vitamin D.

Now, many people are wondering what to do about vitamin D deficiency. Actually, in the spring and summer, it is enough to be outdoors enough to fill his store of vitamin D. The skin can normally produce enough vitamin D through sunlight exposure during these seasons. In the months from October to March, however, the sunlight is much weaker and the time of sun exposure is lower. In general, the days are shorter and the intensity of solar radiation is lower, explain the experts. So it may happen that the UV radiation is no longer sufficient to produce enough vitamin D. For this reason, the body then over time consumes the vitamin D stored in the summer.

Which foods contain vitamin D.?

In this dark season there is also the possibility to resort to other sources of vitamin D. These are some special foods. These include, for example, fat fish, egg yolk, red meat and liver. Alternatively, there are also breakfast cereal or dairy products, which are enriched with vitamin D..

Doctors can determine the concentration of vitamin D in the body

The experts at the Apothekerkammer Niedersachsen recommend that people pay particular attention to a healthy and balanced diet, especially in autumn and winter, and that they regularly spend the summer in the sun. It should of course not be forgotten to protect yourself from the sun by a sufficient sun protection factor. If people are of the opinion that they generally do not receive enough daylight or those affected belong to a risk group, they should have their doctor regularly check their vitamin D levels, the Apothekerkammer Niedersachsen recommends.

Vitamin D is important for muscles and bones

The effects of vitamin D deficiency can have serious consequences for the human body. The existing deficiency of vitamin D favors, for example, the so-called bone loss, which can then lead to osteoporosis and subsequent bone fractures. Vitamin D is also important for our muscles. A deficiency of the vitamin may even promote muscle weakness. Such muscle weakness is very dangerous especially for the elderly, because it can contribute to the gear insecurity and fall prone, explain the experts of the Pharmacists Lower Saxony.

Vitamin D helps with rickets, osteomalacia, malassimilation and kidney disease

Vitamin D promotes the incorporation of calcium into the bones. In addition, the vitamin also helps with rickets, osteomalacia, malassimilation, kidney disease and a hypofunction of the parathyroid glands, according to the release of the Apothekerkammer Niedersachsen. In a so-called osteoporosis prophylaxis and osteoporosis therapy usually vitamin D is used in combination with calcium.

Lack of vitamin D cause of autoimmune diseases?

Current findings indicate that a lack of vitamin D also promotes the development of chronic diseases, reports the Apothekerkammer Niedersachsen. These include, for example, autoimmune diseases, cardiovascular diseases and even cancer. Such statements are still very controversial.

Effects of vitamin D overdose

If you would like to take vitamin D as a dietary supplement, it is best to seek advice from your doctor or pharmacist from the Apothekerkammer Niedersachsen. A doctor can control vitamin D status in the lab. Excessive intake of vitamin D, for example, can lead to calcium deposits, nausea, vomiting, increased thirst, increased urination, weakness and kidney failure, the experts warn. For example, when vitamin D is delivered via so-called soft capsules of 20,000 I.U. Vitamin D3 should be included, it is important to note that the said preparation may be taken only once a week. The best way to buy such products is only after consultation in your pharmacy, the note of the Apotheker chamber Niedersachsen.

Dietary supplements from the pharmacy were rated better

In an investigation of pharmacy-only drugs and free-for-sale food supplements, the magazine Ökotest found that the drugs from the pharmacy were significantly better, the pharmacy chamber continues. The over-the-counter dietary supplements tested showed in some cases considerable deviations from the actual vitamin D content in this test. (As)