Vitamin D in the “r” months, myth or fact?

Unlike other vitamins that we can assimilate from what we eat, vitamin D is found less in food, and the optimal amount we need can only be obtained by exposure sunlight. Therefore, in the colder months, when the sunlight is not strong and when we eat less fresh fruits and vegetables, we can take vitamin D supplements, but not more. When should we take such supplements and what are the risks of an overdose, explained Dr. Tudor Ciuhodaru, primary care physician at the Neurosurgery Hospital “N. Oblu” from Iasi.

It is said, in general, that it is good to help the body with vitamin D supplements in the months that have the letter “r” in the name, ie from September to April inclusive, which the doctor Tudor Ciuhodaru verifying for DCmedical. It is a very appropriate rule, the doctor says, for the geographical area in which Romania is located, since the low intensity of sunlight makes it difficult for the body to produce vitamin D naturally, even to the people I wear. a lot of time out.

Therefore, to ensure even in the coldest times of the year a level of vitamin D similar to those exposed to the sun in summer, it is recommended to take in vitamin D from food and supplements. ris of at least 600 IU. /day. Although it is important to increase our intake of vitamin D during the cold months, too much can be harmful to your health. At the same time, dermatologists warn against exposure to the sun, due to the risk of skin cancer, and suggest, from their point of view, that we make sure that vitamin D is essential by taking products – medicine.

Be careful, though! Too much vitamin D is just as dangerous as vitamin D deficiency. Too much vitamin D leads to increased calcium levels in the blood, which can lead to kidney disease and other problems over time, and the toxicity is not this vitamin as a result. from too much exposure to the sun or food consumption, but from giving too high doses of supplements, explained Dr. Ciuhodaru.

It should be noted that the need for vitamin D depends greatly on age, but also on the conditions and recommendations of doctors for each individual case. The body’s ability to synthesize this vitamin decreases with the aging of the body and it can also be reduced in the case of people who live in cold areas with bad weather.

In the case of children, a large and prolonged deficiency of vitamin D leads to the appearance of rickets, shown by a decrease in the level of calcium and phosphorus fixation in the bones during the period of growth and development of the child, with appearance. of obvious bone deformations, delays in the child’s physical development and dental problems. In adults, vitamin D deficiency has the effect of weakening the bones, with an increased risk of fractures. In addition to its role in the health of the skeletal system, vitamin D is also essential for the functioning of the immune system. (IN)