Vitamin D is a nutrient that is beneficial for bone formation. Vitamin D is also needed by the body to maintain a healthy heart, brain and muscles.
Vitamin D is formed naturally when the skin is exposed to direct sunlight. In fact, most of the need for vitamin D is met through exposure to sunlight. In addition, vitamin D is also contained in several types of food, such as mushrooms, egg yolks, and fish.
When calcium levels in the body decrease, the parathyroid glands will stimulate the intestines and kidneys to produce vitamin D to absorb more calcium.
However, not a few people who experience vitamin D deficiency. This usually occurs when the body does not get enough sunlight, or is not effective at absorbing vitamin D. In these conditions, supplements are needed to prevent vitamin D deficiency.
The main types of vitamin D are vitamin D2 and vitamin D3. Vitamin D2 comes from plants and foods fortified with vitamin D2 itself, while vitamin D3 comes from animals. Both types of vitamins are available in the form of tablets, capsules, and syrups.
Vitamin D trademarks: Biovitan, Calnic Plus, Cerebrofort Gold Strawberry Flavor, Hufalysin New, Calcifos, Nutrahealth Vitamin D3 400 IU, Obipluz, Nutrimax Nutri Kidz, Healthy Choice Junior Strawberry Flavor, Osfit.
What's that Vitamin D?
| group | Supplement |
| Category | Over-the-counter and prescription drugs. |
| Benefit | Prevents vitamin D deficiency, treats and prevents osteoporosis, and treats hypoparathyroidism, rickets, and hypophosphatemia. |
| Consumed by | Adults and children. |
| Category Pregnancy and Breastfeeding | Category C: Animal studies have shown adverse effects on the fetus, but there are no controlled studies in pregnant women. The drug should only be used if the expected benefit outweighs the risk to the fetus. Vitamin D may be absorbed into breast milk. If you are breastfeeding, do not use this medicine without telling your doctor. |
| Drug form | Capsules, tablets, syrup. |
Warning Before Using Vitamin D:
- Discuss with your doctor first before using vitamin D, especially if you have allergies to foods, drugs, or other ingredients contained in this supplement.
- Before taking vitamin D, tell your doctor if you have frequent headaches, have a history of high blood pressure, kidney stones, and autoimmune diseases.
- Tell your doctor if you have a history of liver disease, heart disease, lung disease, skin disease, thyroid disease, or stomach disorders.
- Immediately see a doctor if you experience symptoms of a drug allergy or vitamin D overdose.
Doseand Rules of Use Vitamin D
The dose of vitamin D is given based on the patient's age and condition. Vitamin D doses of 400-5,000 IU can be purchased over the counter, while vitamin D doses of 50,000 IU can only be purchased with a doctor's prescription.
Here's the dose of vitamin D for a number of conditions:
Adult dose
- Condition: Prevents vitamin D deficiency
Ages 19-70 years: 600 IU per day.
- Conditions: treatment and prevention of osteoporosis
Age >50 years: 800-1,000 IU, once a day.
- Condition: hypoparathyroid
50,000-200,000 IU, once a day.
- Condition: hypophosphatemia or low levels of phosphate in the blood
10,000-60,000 IU, once a day.
- Condition: rickets
12,000-500,000 IU, once a day.
Children's dose
- Condition: hypophosphatemia
40,000-80,000 IU, once a day.
- Condition: rickets
12,000-500,000 IU, once a day.
Daily Requirements and Limit Intake of Vitamin D
Below is the recommended daily requirement of vitamin D per day to prevent vitamin D deficiency. This daily requirement can be obtained from food, supplements, or a combination of the two.
Daily necessities
| Age | Needs (IU/day) |
| 0-12 months | 400 |
| 1-70 years old | 600 |
| 70 years and over | 800 |
Intake limit
In order to avoid an overdose of vitamin D, do not exceed the following maximum daily intake limits:
| Age | Intake limit (IU/day) |
| 0-6 months | 1.000 |
| 7-12 months | 1.500 |
| 1-3 years | 2.500 |
| 4-8 years | 3.000 |
| 9-70 years and over | 4.000 |
How to use Vitamin D Properly
Vitamin and mineral supplements are consumed to complement the body's need for vitamins and minerals, especially when the intake of vitamins and minerals from food cannot meet the body's needs. Keep in mind, supplements are only used as a complement to the body's nutritional needs, not as a substitute for nutrients from food.
There are several conditions that require the intake of supplements, such as being stricken with an illness, pregnant, or taking drugs that can interfere with the metabolism of vitamins and minerals.
Take vitamin D supplements according to the directions on the package. Vitamin D should be taken with food so that it is more easily absorbed by the body.
If you want to take vitamin D in syrup form, use the measuring spoon included in the package. Don't use a regular tablespoon because the measurements will be different.
Interaction Vitamin D with Drug Other
There are a number of drugs that have the potential to cause reactions when taken with vitamin D, including:
- Aluminum (found in antacids). The effect can increase aluminum levels in the body.
- Anticonvulsants, prednisone, or laxatives. The effect can reduce calcium absorption.
- Cholestyramine and orlistat. The effect can decrease the absorption of vitamin D.
- Calcipotriol or paricalcitol. The effect may increase the side effects of calcipotriol and paricalcitol.
- Digoxin and verapamil. The effect can increase the risk of heart problems.
- Diuretics and diltiazem. The effect can increase calcium levels in the body.
Side Effects and Dangers of Vitamin D
Vitamin D is safe for the body when used in recommended doses. However, if used in excess of the dose, vitamin D is at risk of causing the following side effects:
- dry mouth
- Metallic sensation in the mouth
- No appetite
- Weight loss
- Body tired easily
- Headache
- Constipation
- Nausea and vomiting
- Hypercalcemia or excess calcium in the blood
- Kidney damage
- Heart rhythm disturbances