Things you should know before taking vitamin D supplements
Vitamin D is a micronutrient that plays a seminal role in keeping several functions of your body intact. As many people around the world experience its deficiency or insufficiency, vitamin D supplements have gained massive popularity as their efficacy has even been backed by science. However, there are a few important things you should know before consuming these supplements.
Always check with your doctor first
The first and foremost thing to remember is that you should always seek a doctor's advice on whether or not you need vitamin D supplements in the first place. Your doctor may recommend some tests to find out your vitamin D score and accordingly, they may prescribe you the right dosage. Follow-up sessions are also important so that the dosage can be modified.
Overconsumption of supplements can backfire
If you consume high amounts of vitamin D for a prolonged period, chances are that your body may start resisting them, creating toxicity. Experts have found that vitamin D toxicity can manifest as depression, nausea, vomiting, high blood pressure, drowsiness, abdominal pain, mental fatigue and confusion, and constipation. This brings us back to the previous point - check with your doctor about the dosage.
Don't rely only on supplements
Vitamin D supplements are good but you shouldn't just rely on them for the entire job. There are many natural and dietary sources that you can include in your daily routine. To begin with, bask in the sun for a good 15 to 20 minutes daily, however, make sure the sunlight doesn't cause burns. Eat more mushrooms, fortified plant-based milk, cheese, yogurt, etc.
Medications can influence vitamin D levels in the body
If you are on certain medications, it becomes all the more necessary to check if vitamin D supplements will interfere with their working. To rule out all possibilities, check with your doctor so that they can guide you with your current course of medication as well as the right dosage and time to consume supplements. This way, the two won't counteract one another.
