Why you should be extra careful while taking Vitamin D; Doctors warn of severe complications like Kidney disease
Risks of Single-Dose Vitamin D and Injectable Forms
Doctors strongly recommend against injectable forms of vitamin D, especially high-dose injections of 600,000 units. Dr. Ravinder Goswami from AIIMS stated, “A 6,00,000-unit vitamin D injection could adversely affect bone health.” He explained that high doses could increase the risk of falls and bone deterioration. Similarly, active analogues like calcitriol, often used for specific kidney conditions, are unsuitable for treating basic vitamin D deficiency.
Instead, Dr. Goswami suggested a safer alternative for those with limited sunlight exposure. “A monthly 60,000 IU sachet is adequate to maintain normal levels,” he advised.
Dr. S.V. Madhu of the University College of Medical Sciences echoed this, emphasizing that calcitriol and similar pharmaceutical substances are not appropriate for general supplementation.
Vitamin D Deficiency and Its Implications
Vitamin D deficiency, coupled with excess calcium or fluoride intake, can have a detrimental impact on bone health. To meet daily calcium requirements, Dr. Goswami recommended dietary sources like a glass of milk or a 500mg calcium supplement. He added, “Nano vitamin D is costly and has no real benefit.”
Vitamin D is essential for calcium absorption in the digestive tract. Calcium and phosphorus in the bloodstream work together to strengthen and mineralize bones.
Practical Advice for Vitamin D Intake
Dr. Goswami advised taking vitamin D supplements with milk, orange juice, or water, ensuring the granules are consumed directly rather than mixed with the liquid. He also stressed the importance of sun exposure for natural vitamin D production. A daily exposure of 15-30 minutes between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. under clear skies is recommended, as sunlight passing through glass is ineffective.
Challenges Due to Pollution and Skin Characteristics
Persistent pollution and smog, particularly in winter, further reduce sunlight effectiveness for vitamin D synthesis. Additionally, higher melanin levels in Indian skin require longer sun exposure. Dr. Saptarshi Bhattacharya from Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals noted, “Vitamin D requirements in winter are considerably higher than in summer.”
Dietary and Lifestyle Factors
Natural sources of vitamin D include fatty fish like salmon and cod, eggs, and irradiated mushrooms. However, these sources provide limited amounts. For example, an egg contains only 20 IU of vitamin D, far below the daily requirement of 1,000 IU. Consuming 500 grams of fish daily would be necessary to meet this intake, making dietary reliance impractical for most people.
Indoor workers, residents of areas with high fluoride levels, and individuals with medical conditions such as TB or epilepsy are particularly vulnerable to deficiency. On the other hand, outdoor workers like farmers and security guards generally maintain adequate levels through sun exposure.
As vitamin D deficiency becomes more prevalent due to environmental and lifestyle factors, experts urge people to adopt balanced supplementation and natural methods like safe sun exposure rather than relying on high-dose injections or unsuitable pharmaceutical products.
(The article was originally published in TOI)
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