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Can Too Much Vitamin D Damage Your Kidneys

Supplements And Sunlight Triggered Toxicity

1 Cup Will Tell Your KIDNEYS to Never Give Up | Dr Alan Mandell, DC

The reported case concerns a 54-year-old man who had recently returned from a trip to Southeast Asia, where he had spent an extended time sunbathing . Upon returning to Canada, a family physician found that his creatinine level was elevated . Four weeks later, despite discontinuing antihypertensive medication and diuretics, which could have caused dehydration and elevations in creatinine, the patient’s creatinine level was even higher , and he was referred to a kidney specialist.

Further questioning revealed that the man had seen a naturopath who had prescribed high doses of vitamin D. Despite no known history of bone loss or vitamin D deficiency, the man took 800012000 IU of vitamin D daily for 2.5 years.

Workup disclosed hypercalcemia and elevated levels of vitamin D . Renal biopsy results showed kidney damage .

The nephrologist advised him to stop taking vitamin D supplements and to stop eating calcium-rich foods. His diuretics remained on hold, and the patient resumed taking one antihypertensive medication. At the second visit, physicians found that his levels of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 and calcium had continued to increase. The patient also described new-onset skin itchiness, likely due to his high calcium levels.

The authors have disclosed no relevant financial relationships.

CMAJ. Published online April 8, 2019. Full text

Vitamin D And Chronic Kidney Disease

We get vitamin D from the ultraviolet rays of the sun, but not all sunlight is equal. The amount of UV rays absorbed depends on where you live, the time of day, the season, whether its cloudy and if youre using sunscreen. People who live in sunny areas at lower latitudes typically get enough vitamin D compared to people living at higher latitudes , particularly during late fall and winter.

What foods give us vitamin D?

Few foods are naturally good sources of vitamin D. The best food sources for vitamin D are fatty fish including salmon, sardines, cod, tuna and halibut. Many foods, such as some breakfast cereals and milk, are fortified with vitamin D. Milk must contain at least 100 IU of vitamin D per cup, according to federal regulations. The practice of fortifying milk with vitamin D began in the 1930s to prevent rickets, a bone disease that was common in children at the time. Other dairy products are not required to be fortified. Milk substitutes such as soy milk, rice milk and nondairy creamer may or may not have added vitamin D.

Benefits of vitamin D

Vitamin D is responsible for:

  • Building and maintaining strong bones
  • Keeping the right level of calcium;and phosphorus in the blood
  • Preventing bones from becoming weak or malformed
  • Preventing rickets in children and osteomalacia in adults

Too much vitamin D can be toxic. The recommended maximum intake is 25 mcg for infants and 50 mcg for children and adults with normal kidney function.

Vitamin D supplements

What Is Vitamin D

A bit of an impostor, for one. Vitamin D is technically a prohormonenot a vitaminwhich means that its a substance that causes the body to create a hormone .

In the case of vitamin D, about 90% of what exists in the human body is produced in response to sun exposure on the skin, hence its nickname the sunshine vitamin . From there, the liver and kidneys turn vitamin D into various substances that can be used for key bodily processes, like immune system support, bone health, and cancer protection.

Much of the worlds population is deficient in vitamin Dup to 1 billion people worldwide, and 40% of Americans . Some researchers call it a silent epidemic. But that doesnt mean you should go balls-out in adding vitamin D to your daily routine.

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Why Do I Need Vitamin D And How Do I Get It

Vitamin D helps your body absorb calcium. Calcium is one of the main building blocks of bone. Vitamin D also has a role in your nervous, muscle, and immune systems.

You can get vitamin D in three ways: through your skin, from your diet, and from supplements. Your body forms vitamin D naturally after exposure to sunlight. But too much sun exposure can lead to skin aging and skin cancer, so many people try to get their vitamin D from other sources.

How Can I Repair My Kidneys Naturally

17 Common Habits That Can Severely Damage Your Kidneys ...

Keeping your kidneys healthy Healthy bodyStay hydrated. Drinking plenty of fluid will help your kidneys function properly. Eat healthily. A balanced diet ensures you get all the vitamins and minerals your body needs. Watch your blood pressure. Dont smoke or drink too much alcohol. Keep slim to help your kidneys.

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What Is The Link Between Primary Hyperparathyroidism And Vitamin D Deficiency

Vitamin D deficiency is common in modern society, but it is significantly more common in people who have primary hyperparathyroidism.; PHPT with vitamin D deficiency is usually present in the more severe forms of PHPT and comes with a higher rate of bone loss or osteoporosis.; The reason for vitamin D deficiency being so common is not clear, some have believed it is because the higher PTH level causes more transformation of 25 OH Vitamin D to 1,25 OH Vitamin D.; Most likely there are other processes occurring in the body that diminish Vitamin D levels as a means of protecting the body against higher calcium levels. The reason is unclear, however vitamin D deficiency does cause a lot of problems and needs to be treated appropriately.;

Studies have also shown that large adenomas, high PTH levels, and more severe bone disease are more common in PHPT patients dealing with a vitamin D deficiency in comparison to all other vitamin D-deficient individuals.; In the absence of vitamin D, the parathyroid gland is not suppressed and can grow larger, PTH production is not inhibited so the level is higher , and bones are less protected leading to more bone loss.;;

The combination of PHPT and vitamin D deficiency has effects on other systems as well including the pancreas and Insulin, blood vessels, and kidneys leading to many other complications.

What Problems Does Vitamin D Deficiency Cause

Vitamin D deficiency can lead to a loss of bone density, which can contribute to osteoporosis and fractures .

Severe vitamin D deficiency can also lead to other diseases. In children, it can cause rickets. Rickets is a rare disease that causes the bones to become soft and bend. African American infants and children are at higher risk of getting rickets. In adults, severe vitamin D deficiency leads to osteomalacia. Osteomalacia causes weak bones, bone pain, and muscle weakness.

Researchers are studying vitamin D for its possible connections to several medical conditions, including diabetes, high blood pressure, cancer, and autoimmune conditions such as multiple sclerosis. They need to do more research before they can understand the effects of vitamin D on these conditions.

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Vitamins Do Not Prevent Disease

In 2013, the;Annals of Internal Medicine;published an article with the hard-hitting headline;Enough Is Enough;: Stop Spending Money on Vitamin and Mineral Supplements, based on the findings of numerous randomized studies.

Proven:;beta-carotene and high doses of vitamins E and A are harmful;.;Antioxidants, folic acid , and B vitamins are ineffective in preventing chronic disease and preventing premature death from disease.;Although there is evidence of negligible percentages of benefit or harm in small groups, most healthy people do not need them and they should not be used to prevent disease.

The efficacy of multivitamins and minerals for myocardial infarction patients is well studied here.;A randomized, multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial showed that high doses of multivitamins and minerals in the secondary prevention of atherosclerotic diseases did not reduce risks.;The researchers were unable to obtain statistically significant figures.;And this randomized study showed that multivitamins did not improve cognitive performance in the elderly, despite claims to the contrary.

What Does Vitamin D Do

12 Bad Habits that can damage your kidneys, lead to Chronic Kidney Disease or kidney failure

Vitamin D plays an important role in our body.; It helps the body absorb calcium, it aids in muscle movement, plays a role in heart health, and it helps boost the immune system to fight infections.; Vitamin D and calcium together help prevent weakening of the bones, also known as osteoporosis, in older adults. ;In adults, a deficiency in Vitamin D can result in osteoporosis, which can lead to fractures, and/or osteomalacia, which is softening of the bones.; In children, a vitamin D deficiency can cause rickets, which causes softening and weakening of the bones. ;This can cause bowed legs or knock knees, muscle weakness, and delayed growth.

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Ways To Get Vitamin D

You can get vitamin D from sunlight exposure, dietary sources, and supplements.

Getting ample vitamin D through sun exposure can be straightforward, but you do need to make sure you donât get sunburned .

In food, vitamin D can be found in beef liver, egg yolks, and fatty fish like salmon and tuna. There are also many fortified foods, like milk and dairy products, that provide your body with vitamin D.

Vitamins That Can Damage Your Kidneys If Overdosed

Your kidneys regulate the daily balance between your intake of water and salt.

Getting sufficient nutrients from a healthy diet can help you improve kidney function, but you don’t typically need vitamin supplements for this purpose, according to a March 2014 review in Sports Medicine.

In fact, overloading your body with vitamins can damage your kidneys. Speak with your health care provider before using dietary supplements.

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Can You Have Too Much Vitamin D

The simple answer is yes. The principle that its possible to get too much of a good thing even extends to cancer-fighting, heart-protective vitamin D. You can take too much of just about any vitamin or supplement, and it is possible to suffer vitamin D toxicity.

How much is enough vitamin D? The National Institutes of Health s Office of Dietary Supplements recommends a daily intake of vitamin D of 600 IU for adults up to age 69 and 800 IU for adults 70 and older. The tolerable daily upper intake for vitamin D in adults is 4,000 IU .;

Symptoms of vitamin D toxicity can include a loss of appetite, weight loss, excessive urination, and heart arrhythmia. High doses of vitamin D can raise blood levels of calcium , which can damage the heart, kidneys, and blood vessels . One example of the kidney damage hypervitaminosis D can cause is the formation of kidney stones.

Vitamin D: The Kidney Vitamin

Can Supplements Damage Your Kidneys

Many Americans are deficient in an important vitaminvitamin D. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s latest information has found that more than one-half of Americans of all ages have low levels of vitamin D. More and more information is pointing to how important vitamin D is to the body, especially the strength of bones.

In addition to maintaining healthy bones, newer research shows that vitamin D may also protect against heart disease. In fact, people with the lowest vitamin D levels had a 40% higher risk of cardiovascular disease in one study.

Talk with your doctor or dietitian before taking any vitamins that are not ordered for you. There are different types of vitamin D. Your doctor will be very specific about the type and amount you should be taking.

Why is vitamin D connected to the kidney? The kidneys are an important part of helping the body use vitamin D. Vitamin D comes from two sources in people. It could either be exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet B radiation. Or, it is absorbed from food or food supplements. The kidneys have an important role in making vitamin D useful to the body. The kidneys convert vitamin D from supplements or the sun to the active form of vitamin D that is needed by the body. With chronic kidney disease, low vitamin D levels can be found, sometimes even severely low levels. This may occur because injured kidneys are less able to convert vitamin D into its active form.

COVID-19 patients can become kidney patients.

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Vitamin C And Your Kidneys

Loading up on vitamin C is a common strategy to boost the immune system and ward off illnesses such as the common cold. Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that can be beneficial in safe quantities, but may be harmful in large doses. For kidney patients, its especially important to remember that foods that are high in vitamin C can also be high in potassium.

Benefits Of Testing Your Vitamin D Levels

If youâre experiencing any of the symptoms of vitamin D insufficiency noted aboveâor are experiencing signs of too much vitamin Dâyour intake may be imbalanced in some way. Testing your vitamin D levels can help you determine if your levels are normal or if you may need to make adjustments and have a discussion with your healthcare provider.

Our at-home vitamin D test kit lets you check your levels easilyâit only requires a simple finger prick blood sample, and shipping is free both ways. Plus, youâll get to conveniently view your results on our secure, online platform just days after the lab receives your sample.

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Vitamin C And Kidney Stones

High doses of vitamin C can increase your risk of the most common type of kidney stone, calcium oxalate.Kidney stones happen when waste accumulates and clumps together in your kidneys, causing pain and difficulty urinating. More than half a million people seek emergency care for kidney stones every year, according to the National Kidney Foundation.

Since the kidneys partly convert the vitamin C you ingest into oxalate, an excess could increase the risk of calcium oxalate kidney stones, according to research from 2015 .

Generally speaking, the vitamin C people get from food isnt likely to be high enough to lead to kidney stones.

However, vitamin C supplements could increase the risk. A 2013 study on 23,355 men found that those who took vitamin C supplements experienced double the rate of kidney stones.

To help minimize the risk of kidney stones, the National Institutes of Health recommends that adults consume no more than

Our bodies cant make vitamin C. Instead, we get it from food or supplements.

Vitamin C offers a number of important benefits for the body, including:

  • helping wounds heal
  • keeping blood vessels, skin, bones, and cartilage healthy
  • improving absorption of other nutrients

A severe vitamin C deficiency can lead to scurvy, a condition that can cause serious complications throughout the body.

A persons levels of vitamin C can also change quickly if they take a supplement or the vitamin is given intravenously.

  • red and green bell peppers
  • strawberries

Can Too Much Vitamin D Be Harmful

Does Taking Calcium Lead to Kidney Stones?

Getting too much vitamin D can be harmful. Signs of toxicity include nausea, vomiting, poor appetite, constipation, weakness, and weight loss. Excess vitamin D can also damage the kidneys. Too much vitamin D also raises the level of calcium in your blood. High levels of blood calcium can cause confusion, disorientation, and problems with heart rhythm.

Most cases of vitamin D toxicity happen when someone overuses vitamin D supplements. Excessive sun exposure doesn’t cause vitamin D poisoning because the body limits the amount of this vitamin it produces.

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Vitamin D And The Immune System

Vitamin D is essential to the health and functioning of your immune system and can reduce the risk of infections. Vitamin D enhances the pathogen fighting effects of monocytes and macrophages- white blood cells that are important parts of your immune defence- and decreases inflammation in the body which helps promote immune responses.;;

A deficiency in vitamin D is associated with immune dysfunction in people with CKD, increased susceptibility to infection and increased prevalence of cancer.;

Maintaining Balance Of Calcium And Phosphorus

Vitamin D helps to balance calcium and phosphorus in the body by controlling absorption of these minerals from the food you eat as well as regulating parathyroid hormone .

PTH is produced by the parathyroid glands and its main role is to help regulate calcium and phosphate levels. It does this through its actions on the kidneys, bones and intestines.

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Healthconditions That Require Kidney Screenings

If you have one of thesehealth conditions, or if you or your family has a history of kidney problems,its important to have your kidneys checked once a year:

  • Diabetes.
  • Obesity.
  • High cholesterol.

But even if you dont haveany risk factors, a yearly check-up with blood pressure check, lab and urinetests is the only way to get a clear picture of your kidney function, says Dr.Heyka.

How To Treat Vitamin D Deficiency And Hyperparathyroidism

Vitamin d and kidney disease

In great number of cases one may find on blood tests that 25 hydroxy vitamin D levels are low, but 1,25 dihydroxyvitamin D 1,25 OH Vit D) is normal or elevated.; This occurs because PTH is actively transforming 25 OH Vit D to 1,25 OH Vit D.;;

Vitamin D replacement in the setting of PHPT has been shown to have positive impact when monitored by your physician.

Some patients can increase their vitamin D levels by taking supplements either by using daily or weekly doses.; And some will find that taking vitamin D supplements makes them feel worse; probably because the high PTH turns the supplements into high concentrations of 1, 25 dihydroxy vitamin D which is the active form, causing symptoms of vitamin D toxicity.; When taking vitamin D makes you feel worse, you should immediately stop. In either scenario, parathyroidectomy will not only correct the calcium/PTH imbalance but also the vitamin D deficiency.;;

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