Over-used calcium and vitamin D might be harmful

Many food products now come with added vitamin D and calcium. These two nutrients are significant for health and strong bones. Vitamin D might have a huge impact on the DNA that controls autoimmune disease. The Institute of Medicine has done a study saying some people might be supplementing their diet with too much vitamin D.

dietInstitute of Medicine focusing on Vitamin D study

The use and great things about calcium and vitamin D in previous years has been studied with over 1,000 published tests. The Institute of Medicine has been working on reviewing the studies. They found commonalities between the studies. Being a nonprofit company the Institute of Medicine advices the U.S. government. It was discovered that there will be no difference with people taking certain amounts of vitamin D and calcium. These amounts were 600 to 800 international units (IU) of vitamin D and 700 to 1,300 milligrams per day.

dietWhat vitamin D and calcium do

How vitamin D works in the body is a mystery to scientists right now. It can be absorbed through sunlight or ingested from food and health supplements. Diabetes, multiple sclerosis, lupus and other diseases that are autoimmune are prevented better with vitamin D levels at a healthy level. The theory is that vitamin D helps regulate the genes that impact these diseases. You can find vitamin D and calcium in almost all the same foods. Cheese, oily fish, nuts and milk all have them.

dietDamaging with too much vitamin D

It can be bad to get too much vitamin D and calcium, although they are very helpful when it comes to avoiding disease and helping the body. If you get too much vitamin D, you could get kidney damage. Also, plaque might build up within the heart with too much. There is too much vitamin D in many supplements. This causes people to overdose on the vitamin. Make sure that you are eating a decently balanced diet. This way, your food should give you all the vitamin D you need. If you are taking a supplement, it is important to consider the amount of vitamin D you are ingesting.

dietArticles cited

CNN

cnn.com/2010/HEALTH/11/30/vitamin.d.calcium/index.html?npt=NP1

Business Week

businessweek.com/news/2010-11-30/vitamin-d-calcium-supplements-may-be-unnecessary.html