Due to the growing popularity in vitamin D supplementation, many are concerned about potential toxic effects of large doses of this nutrient. Appetite loss can only be linked to excessive vitamin D intake, in an indirect way. Vitamin D facilitates the absorption of calcium. Excessive vitamin D can lead to elevated blood calcium, which can cause appetite loss. You should consult your physician before you start taking any vitamin D supplements.
Appetite Loss and Vitamin D
There can be many underlying causes of appetite loss, including cancer, liver disease, kidney disease, infectious diseases, respiratory diseases, hypercalcemia and certain medications.
A Vitamin D overdose can cause abnormal calcium levels in the blood -- a rare condition called hypercalcemia. When appetite loss is related to this condition, it will be accompanied by more digestive and neurological symptoms, such as vomiting, nausea, confusion and constipation.
Treatment
If you experience appetite loss coupled with any of the symptoms of hypercalcemia while taking vitamin D supplements, Dr. Katherine Zetrasky from the Mayo Clinic recommends that you stop taking them and reduce your dietary intake of calcium at the same time. This simple solution will alleviate most symptoms immediately; however, hospitalization may be necessary in severe cases. If you appetite dose not improve as fast as the other symptoms, try changing your diet and meal scheduling. If the problem persists, ask your physician about options -- he may prescribe medications to stimulate your appetite.
Recommendations
Medline Plus recommends that your daily dose of calcium should range between 600 to 2,000 IU per day for a healthy adult. In order to avoid side effects, such as appetite loss, it is important to keep your daily intake strictly within these recommendations. If you are deficient, your physician can prescribe larger, therapeutic doses of vitamin D to increase your storage amounts. If you take such large doses, you doctor will monitor your vitamin D blood levels, in order to determine when you need to switch to maintenance levels.
Sources
Sources of natural vitamin D are much more preferable than supplements. The best vitamin you can get is the natural vitamin D your skin produces upon sun exposure. The National Institute of Health suggests that 10 to 20 minutes of sun exposure three times per week can give you all the vitamin D you need. Alternatively, you can include foods in your daily diet that are naturally rich in vitamin D, such as fatty fish, eggs and porcini mushrooms. Some foods are fortified with vitamin D too; orange juice and cereals are the most popular. Supplementation should be your last option. Always stay within the daily recommendations when you take vitamin D supplements.
References
- MayoClinic.com;What Is Vitamin D Toxicity, and Should I Worry About It Since I Take Supplements?;K. Zeratsky, R.D., L.D.; December 2010
- HuffingtonPost.com;Vitamin D: Why You Are Probably Not Getting Enough and How That Makes You Sick; Mark Hyman MD; May 22,2010
- National Institute of Health: Office of Dietary Supplements; Vitamin D; June 24, 2011
- Mayoclinic.com; Hypercalcemia; May 26, 2011
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