CNN Raises Concern Over Vitamin D Overdosing

Scientists from China to Great Britain are investigating the likelihood that vitamin D supplementation can dramatically reduce the severity of COVID-19 as well as its number of fatalities. We already know that adequate amounts of vitamin D are essential to immune function, and many Americans have begun proactively taking substantial doses. 

In response, CNN is warning the public that taking too much of this essential nutrient can be dangerous. 

But while the danger of getting too much vitamin D is negligible, the danger that we’re taking too little is huge!

Too much of anything isn’t good for you—even water.  In a contest in which the contestants tried to drink as much water as they could as fast as they could, the “winner” reportedly died!

In contrast, no one has ever died of a vitamin overdose, including vitamin D.  In enormous doses—many times more than the most enthusiastic vitamin D advocate would ever recommend—vitamin D can be harmful.   

But confusion occurs because government recommendations (600 IU a day for those under the age of 70 and 800 IU for age 70 and above; with an upper limit of 4,000 IU daily) are based on outdated science and are too low.  Yet the media continue to warn the public that doses over 4,000 IU are dangerous, which isn’t true. 

Daily doses up to 10,000 IU a day have been shown to be completely safe, even over time. And these high doses are often necessary to get depleted vitamin D blood levels up to where experts say they should be. Lesser amounts can then be used as a maintenance dose. 

And here’s the kicker. Even according to conservative estimates about half the US population is deficient in vitamin D, and if you’re aiming for optimal blood levels, the vast majority is insufficient!

Having plentiful stores of vitamin D is essential to just about every body system, and vitamin D insufficiency has been implicated in most chronic disease, including cancer, heart disease, diabetes, and more.

But most relevant these days, vitamin D plays a crucial role in the immune system. Almost all immune cells have vitamin D receptors; this means that they need vitamin D to function normally, and if sufficient vitamin D isn’t available, they will function abnormally.

Who wants to confront a deadly virus with an abnormally functioning immune system? 

So how can you take enough vitamin D to meet the needs of your body without getting too much? Ask your doctor for a vitamin D blood test called the 25(OH)D test, and aim for results between 40-60 ng/mL (equal to 100-150 nmol/L).  Even higher levels can be beneficial in some circumstances (check with your doctor).  

If you’re like most people, if you haven’t been doing anything to proactively raise your vitamin D levels, they’ll be on the low side.

Next time we’ll talk about how to use sunbathing, diet and supplements to raise your vitamin D levels.

References:

• Chinese Clinical Trials Registry. The relationship between vitamin D and novel coronavirus pneumonia (COVID-19), 2020; Chinese Clinical Trials Registry. Impact of vitamin D deficiency on prognosis of patients with novel coronavirus pneumonia (COVID-19), 2020.

• Busby M. UK public health bodies reviewing vitamin D’s effects on coronavirus. The Guardian. June 17, 2020.

• LaMotte S. Vitamin D’s effect on COVID-19 may be exaggerated.  Here’s what we know. May 27, 2020.

• Hathcock JN. Risk assessment for vitamin D. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, January 2007;85(1):6–18. NOTE: Anyone with a serious health condition should consult their doctor before adding a new supplement to their regimen.