How Much Vitamin D Is Too Much? | 4 Common Myths

Vitamins are required for normal bodily functions and many of them are needed in very small doses. Your body’s dependence on vitamins is no secret. Vitamins have effects on a wide range of bodily processes, making all of them as crucial as each other. You should, however, be more attentive to your vitamin D consumption than ever before.

We’ll debunk some prevalent vitamin D misconceptions, revealing the truth behind this “sunshine vitamin.” This will assist you in recognizing the significance – and duties – of vitamin D.

1) Myth: Food Contains All The Vitamin D We Need

A balanced diet is assumed to provide us with all of the vitamin D we require, despite the fact that most vitamins are obtained from a healthy diet.

Fact: Unlike other vitamins, we can’t get enough vitamin D from food alone. This is due to the fact that the majority of the vitamin comes from sunlight rather than food. When your skin is exposed to direct sunshine, it generates vitamin D3!

Unfortunately, the sun in the United Kingdom isn’t always intense enough, especially during the winter months. Because you can’t get enough vitamin D from food alone, it’s a good idea to take vitamin D supplements to maintain your status.

2) Myth: Vitamin D: There is no such thing as too much.

Many people think that the more vitamins they consume, the better. However, this is not always the case, and it may even cause additional issues in the long run.

Fact: You can’t overdose on vitamin D from sunlight exposure. Although this isn’t true, taking too much vitamin D through supplements may be dangerous. Vitamin D is involved in the process of calcium absorption, which means having an excessive level of intake might cause calcium to pile up. Hypercalcaemia is one term for this condition.

The British Department of Health and Social Care recommends that everyone over the age of one consume 10 micrograms of vitamin D per day.

3) Myth: Everyone Needs The Same Quantity Of Vitamin D

During the spring and summer months, most of us should be able to obtain enough vitamin D from sunlight. As a result, people believe that everyone requires the same amount of vitamin D. This is only partly true.

Fact: Vitamin D is essential for the majority of people, who require 10 micrograms a day on average. However, newborns under the age of one can manage with around 8.5 micrograms (NHS, 2021). Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding may adhere to the 10microgram requirement.

4) Myth: All We Need Is 5 Minutes In The Sun

Vitamin D is a more difficult vitamin to explain than others. There’s no doubt that getting vitamin D from sunlight is a little tricky. When it comes to the weather, things are not always so clear.

Fact: Vitamin D is not as easy to obtain as some people think. In reality, there is no official time limit for obtaining vitamin D through the sun. Everybody is unique, therefore the amount of time it takes to create the vitamin varies.

According to NHS recommendations, spending roughly 20 to 30 minutes in the sun is sufficient. This differs depending on your location and season of the year, however, and the winter sun in the UK is not strong enough during the colder months.