Pros and Cons of Vitamin D

We eat foods with vitamins to help our bodies to function properly. Taking vitamin and minerals has many benefits for our body, such as the positive effect they have on the body organs and functions. This is all true with that ever-popular well-known Vitamin D. Vitamin D has long been important for the many excellent things it does for our bodies. As important as Vitamin D is for our body and overall health, there are some concerns taking Vitamin D, as well as other vitamins, in excess or not in accordance with the recommended guidelines.

More is not always Better

We’ve all heard the saying, ‘there’s such a thing as too much of a good thing’. Although we don’t always think in terms of vitamins when we hear that phrase, it can certainly apply to vitamins and Vitamin D. Because vitamin D is necessary and good for us, we find it hard to imagine that taking too much of this vitamin can be harmful. However, taking too much of this vitamin can cause serious side effects. Some symptoms of too much Vitamin D, or possible Vitamin D overdose, are loss of appetite, vomiting, nausea, constipation and abdominal pain. Vitamin D overdose can also lead to hypercalcemia, a medical condition where there are abnormally high levels of calcium compounds in our bloodstream. Liver damage is another possibility that could occur from too much Vitamin D. Some people mistakenly believe if they take twice the recommended amount of Vitamin D, that they will get twice the benefits of what they’d get with the normal dosage. This idea is not only incorrect but can be dangerous to your health.

Eat High Quality Vitamin D rich foods

Many foods are rich in Vitamin D, allowing us not to have to take Vitamin D supplements. However, the quality of the Vitamin D foods has a bearing on the benefits we’ll get from them. In many cases, generic foods are as good as name brand foods. It is important to read the labels on the back of the food items to educate yourself on what you’re eating. In the case of fresh fruit and vegetables, it’s important to eat high quality food. Food that is in the “bargain bin” because it’s old may still be edible, but a lot of the vitamins and minerals have been lost. The same is true with the expiration dates on products such as milk. The foods that will last the longest generally are the ones with the highest Vitamin D levels.

Research What Your Needs Are

If you’re uncertain as to what kind of Vitamin D foods you should eat or brands of supplements you should take, do some research. A intuitionist will be able to assist you on this. There are also many informative pages on the web regarding Vitamins and Vitamin D.

More articles about sport supplements and sport nutrition available here.

If you’ve ever gone to nutritional store and browsed through the vitamin section of your grocery store, you’ve seen hundreds of different vitamin supplements. Vitamin D is probably one of the most popular vitamin supplements on the market today. One reason is that Vitamin D provides us with many important and valuable benefits for a healthy life. Another reason is that most people prefer to take a Vitamin D supplement rather than the natural form of the vitamin. This is because with the exception of milk, some of the food sources for Vitamin D may be difficult to cook.

Food Source of Vitamin D

There are many different food sources of Vitamin D. Most of the food sources for Vitamin D are found in fish live oils or fish such as catfish, mackerel, salmon, tuna, sardines and eel. Although fish is a popular food for many people, some of these sources are not foods that we keep in our kitchen on a regular basis. In addition, some of these fish are quite expensive when served in a restaurant. Some other foods that we consume on a daily basis are yogurt, margarine, milk, bread, pastries and oil spreads are enriched with Vitamin D. While they aren’t as high in Vitamin D as the fish are, many individuals consume them regularly and still choose to take a Vitamin D supplement.

Cod Liver Oil As An Important Vitamin D Supplement

Cod liver oil has been sold in supermarkets for years and is actually popular considering how nasty it can taste to many people. For those that are looking for a natural supplement of Vitamin D, cod liver oil is an excellent choice. One tablespoon of cod liver oil provides you with 1,360 IU of Vitamin D. Lucky for many, there is a gel form of a pill for cod liver oil that is much easier to swallow than a tablespoon of the liquid. If you feel that you may be Vitamin D deficient, this pill may be the easiest and best choice for you.

The Purpose of Vitamin D

As with all vitamins, they all have their own purpose for our body. The purpose of Vitamin D is to promote that necessary ingredient, calcium, in our body. Calcium is a necessity because it is what gives up strong bones. Although many people feel that Vitamin D and calcium is needed when we are young and growing, the truth is that we need it all of our lives, especially as we get older. Elderly and postmenopausal women need supplements of

Vitamin D if they are not getting enough in their daily diets. At this stage in their lives, their bodies do not produce enough calcium on their own, which can lead to osteoporosis, a crippling disease caused by weakened bone mass. It is vital that this group of individuals get the correct amount of Vitamin D.