Facts about Vitamin D Supplements
People enjoy the warm spring sun in a park in Jinhua, Zhejiang province, March 26, 2023. （PHOTO: VCG）
By Staff Reporters
Many people are looking into supplementing various nutrients as they become more health conscious. Some are concerned that vitamin D deficiency may cause diseases, while others believe that too much vitamin D can have a detrimental effect on their livers.
To clear up the facts about this vitamin, Science and Technology Daily talked to Rong Shuang, director of the Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene at Wuhan University.
Vitamin D deficiency can cause many diseases
"Vitamin D contributes to bone health, and it can regulate blood calcium balance and maintains normal blood calcium concentration," said Rong, adding that low vitamin D levels in the body are associated with many diseases, such as hypertension, tumors, diabetes, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases.
Vitamin D deficiency is a global problem. The Scientific Research Report on Dietary Guidelines for Chinese Residents (2021) states that in 2016-2017, the prevalence of Vitamin D deficiency among children and adolescents aged 6-17 years in China was 18.6 percent, and in 2015 deficiency among adults aged 18 years and older was 21.4 percent.
In most people, vitamin D deficiency affects bone calcification, causing mineral abnormalities in the bones and teeth. Infants and children who lack vitamin D are susceptible to rickets; pregnant women are often diagnosed with osteochondrosis if they do not get enough vitamin D, and the elderly are susceptible to osteoporosis, which in turn increases their risk of fractures.
Too much vitamin D is bad for your health
Regular sun exposure is the most effective way to replenish the body with vitamin D. Rong recommends spending 10-20 minutes in the sun every day at 9-10 a.m. or 4-5 p.m.
However, too much vitamin D can cause many side effects, including lack of appetite, weight loss, nausea and vomiting, said Rong, adding that it's a good idea to check the Chinese Dietary Guidelines before taking vitamin D supplements.
