According to the National Institutes of Health, vitamin D3 is fat-soluble and can be found in food, dietary supplements or sun exposure. Vitamin D3 is responsible for helping calcium absorb into the body and is essential for healthy bone growth. It's also responsible for proper immune function. Before ramping up consumption of , it's important to understand vitamin D3 safety.
About Vitamin D3
According to the Vitamin D Council, vitamin D3 is a secosteroid hormone that affects more than 2,000 genes in the body. Recent research suggests that deficiencies in this supplement may be a factor in health conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, depression, chronic pain, cancer and heart disease.
Sources of Vitamin D3
There are a few natural sources of vitamin D3, according to the National Institutes of Health. Fresh fish such as salmon, mackerel and tuna are good examples.
Healthy Vitamin D3 Intake
Infants up to 12 months shouldn't get more than 1,000 international units (IU) of vitamin D3. Children age 1 to 13 should keep consumption to less than 2,000 IU. People 14 or older should keep consumption to 2,000 IU or less.
Too Much Vitamin D
Symptoms of too much vitamin D include nausea, constipation, weakness and weight loss, according to the National Institutes of Health. It also can elevate calcium levels and cause mental confusion and heart abnormalities.
Sun exposure is not responsible for vitamin D3 toxicity, the National Institutes of Health reports. Sun exposure provides vitamin D through the skin, which metabolizes through the body differently. Taking supplements is the most common cause of vitamin D toxicity.
Medication Interactions
Like many supplements, vitamin D3 has the potential to interact with prescription medications. Talk with your doctor about the risks of consuming this supplement when taking steroids, weight loss drugs and seizure medications.
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