The NHS has encouraged millions of Britons to take vitamin D, but one expert has warned people to be aware of possible side effects.
An NHS spokesperson posted on
Sunlight is essential for vitamin D production because the sun’s UVB rays help support a chemical reaction in the skin that produces the nutrient.
This process converts 7-dehydrocholesterol into vitamin D3, which plays an important role in calcium absorption, bone health and immune system support.
The government recommends that everyone take a daily vitamin D supplement of 10 micrograms (400 IU) during the autumn and winter months, when sunlight is not strong enough for the body to produce sufficient vitamin D.
While experts agree that many should take supplements, the guidance does include an important precaution.
Tobias Mapulanga, biomedical scientist and co-founder of Repose Healthcare, has issued a warning about symptoms you may need to look out for.
Mapulanga said: “While the NHS encourages vitamin D in winter, many people reach for bottles in the darker months and accidentally drink too much, blaming seasonal bugs; when constant thirst and more frequent trips to the toilet, nausea, stomach ache or constipation, headaches or brain fog, and new aches or cramps appear soon after you increase intake or add sprays or gummies, this indicates a supplement is backfiring.”
“The stakes are clear: the right amount will support you, but doubling down can make a well-intentioned routine feel worse rather than better,” the expert added.
If you are taking vitamin D supplements, there are some signs that may indicate excess vitamin D:
- Frequent thirst and urination
- You experience nausea, persistent belching, or an upset stomach
- Your bones and muscles ache
- You can’t think clearly
