Vitamin D3 is one of the two forms of vitamin D available in supplement form. Your body requires this vitamin for a range of purposes, including maintaining sufficient levels of insulin in the blood. You need between 600 and 800 IU daily, depending on your age, but supplementing with higher amounts might offer therapeutic benefits for certain conditions. Limited research suggests vitamin D supplements might help manage diabetes. Consult with your doctor about the appropriateness of using this supplement and a suggested dosage.
Dosage Guidelines
The University of Michigan Health System notes research which suggests supplementing with 1,332 IU of vitamin D daily might help control blood sugar in type 2 diabetics. A study published in the April 2008 issue of the "Archives of Internal Medicine" found supplementing with 2,000 IU daily for three months reduced pain from diabetic neuropathy by 50 percent.
A study published in the November 2001 issue of the ''Lancet' tracked vitamin D intake of more than 10,000 Finnish children from birth and found that those who were given 2,000 IU daily were less likely to develop type 1 diabetes compared with children who were only given supplements less frequently or not at all. Do not give your child any supplements without talking to your pediatrician first.
Vitamin D Toxicity
Fat soluble nutrients such as vitamin D have the potential to build up to toxic levels if taken in excess. The National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements notes reports that suggest vitamin D begins to carry a risk of toxicity when taken at 10,000 to 40,000 IU daily over the long term. It adds, however, that emerging research suggests even lower amounts could prove problematic. Because the suggested doses for treating diabetes far exceed the recommended daily intakes, discuss possible risks with your doctor. Signs of excess vitamin D intake include weight loss, irregular heart beat, excessive thirst, metal taste in the mouth, muscle problems, frequent urination, bone pain, fatigue, sore eyes, itching and loss of appetite. Too much vitamin D can also lead to excess calcium buildup in the bloodstream, which can lead to damage to the heart, kidneys and blood vessels.
Medication Interactions
Taking vitamin D along with certain medications might cause negative effects, such as reducing the effectiveness of the drug, increasing the risk of negative side effects or raising vitamin D levels excessively. The University of Maryland Medical Center cautions against using vitamin D with the following medications without talking to your doctor first: the cholesterol drug atorvastatin, calcium channel blockers used to treat high blood pressure, the heart medication digoxin, estrogen and thiazide diuretics.
Caution in Certain Individuals
If you have heart disease, kidney disease or conditions that cause high levels of calcium or phosphorus in the body, do not use vitamin D supplements without talking to your doctor first.
References
- University of Michigan Health System: Vitamin D
- National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements: Vitamin D
- "Archives of Internal Medicine"; "Vitamin D as an Analgesic for Patients With Type 2 Diabetes and Neuropathic Pain"; Paul Lee et al.; April 2008
- "Lancet''; "Intake of Vitamin D and Risk of Type 1 Diabetes"; E. Hypponen et al.; November 2001
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Vitamin D
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