Vitamin D3 is essential in supporting the immune system and in regulating your hormones. This supplement is ideal for those working in offices or to those who are otherwise deficient in getting enough Vitamin D from natural sources.

But just how important is Vitamin D and should you be concerned that you are getting enough?

Research suggests the following

Vitamin D and Disease:

• Vitamin D may play a pivotal role in fighting chronic diseases. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), low levels of Vitamin D are linked with an increased risk of Multiple Sclerosis (MS) which is a chronic condition involving your Central Nervous System (CNS) where your immune system attacks myelin, which is the protective layer around nerve fibers.
• Vitamin D reduces your risk of Heart Disease. Heart diseases such as Hypertension, Heart Failure, and Stroke are linked with low levels of Vitamin D.
• The chances of contracting severe illnesses are reduced with maintaining the proper levels of Vitamin D. While studies are mixed on Vitamin D minimizing the severity of infection once afflicted with COVID-19, recent reviews by NIH and BioMedCentral (BMC) found that low vitamin D levels contribute to Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome which has been seen in large numbers of the infected.
• Failing to maintain optimal levels of Vitamin D are at increased risk of infections and autoimmune diseases, such as Rheumatoid Arthritis, Type 1 Diabetes, and Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

Vitamin D and the links between regulating mood and reducing depression:

• A recent study on the effect of vitamin D supplement on negative emotions found that those experiencing negative emotions, and who had received vitamin D supplements, noticed an improvement in symptoms. Low levels of Vitamin D is also a risk factor for more severe fibromyalgia symptoms, anxiety, and depression.

Who are at risk of Vitamin D deficiency?:

• Those living in areas with high levels of pollution
• Those who work in an office or do not spend enough time outdoors during sunlight hours
• Those who live in congested cities where sunlight may be obstructed at the street level
• Those with low levels of melanin
• Those who wear sunscreen

Signs of Vitamin D deficiency:

• Chronic tiredness, aches and pains
• Regular bouts of weakness or fatigue
• Severe bone or muscle pain
• Stress fractures

Vitamin D3 Precautions

It’s best to talk to your doctor before starting supplementation, especially if you’re taking other medications or have any underlying health conditions. According to Schleiger, vitamin D supplements may interact with certain medications, including corticosteroids and medications for seizures or high cholesterol. She also adds that high-dose supplements might not be suitable for people with specific health conditions, such as hyperparathyroidism, sarcoidosis or kidney disease.

While it’s possible to consume too much vitamin D3, it’s rare. “Vitamin D toxicity from supplementation exists but you have to try really, really, really hard,” says Dr. White. “For example, there are clinical trials where patients are given 100,000 to even 600,000 IUs (International Units) in bolus doses without side effects.”

Still, taking extremely high doses of vitamin D for an extended period can cause vitamin D toxicity, which can lead to elevated levels of calcium in the blood, Schleiger explains. “[This] can cause symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, constipation, weakness, excessive thirst, frequent urination and, in severe cases, kidney stones or organ damage,” she says.

The upper tolerable limit for supplementation is 4,000 International Units per day, according to Dr. White. And while he does note that this amount is most likely conservative, 4,000IU is still more than most people need to take.

“Following the recommended dosage guidelines and regular monitoring of vitamin D levels through blood tests can help ensure safe and effective supplementation,” says Schleiger.

How can Medeze Medical Vietnam help you?

Our specialists at Medeze Medical can diagnose Vitamin D deficiencies through a simple blood test. If you are found to have a Vitamin D deficiency, our specialist will advise the best course of treatment and supplements to get you healthy and back on track. We even have monthly Vitamin D injections available where one injection provides your body with all the Vitamin D it requires, easy and convenient.

In the meantime, you should make sure to get Vitamin D through sunlight and the foods you eat. Peak hours of sunlight for Vitamin D absorption are between 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM.

If you are interested in optimizing your Vitamin D levels in Vietnam we can help. All it will take is a quick and simple blood test. To schedule an appointment at Medeze Medical Vietnam or speak to a specialist about the benefits of Vitamin D, please contact us.

This is our youngest client, with growth retardation due to vitamin D deficiency. Please see the link below for more details.

The story of an 11-year-old girl who was the thinnest in her class due to vitamin D deficiency.

Vitamin D supplementation service at Medeze Vietnam.

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Medeze Medical
116 Nguyen Van Huong, Thao Dien Ward, Thu Duc City, Ho Chi Minh City

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