You should consider several factors when thinking about a connection between vitamin D and constipation. Your metabolism, your vitamin D dosage and your other medicines or supplements may all play a role. If your physician determines that vitamin D is contributing to constipation, you will both need to decide if the benefits outweigh the negatives associated with bowel disturbances. Your body needs vitamin D for a number of reasons. Vitamin D plays an essential role in absorbing calcium in the intestines and controlling the amount of calcium in your blood. This means vitamin D has the job of forming, maintaining and strengthening your bones. The main food sources of vitamin D include mackerel, salmon, cod liver oil, tuna and milk, dairy and orange juice fortified with D. The rest of what you need comes from the sun or supplementation. The sun stimulates the body to make vitamin D, but as over-exposure to it has caused skin cancer and premature aging of the skin, you may avoid spending time outdoors.
If you take vitamin D supplements, your doctor may have prescribed them to support the absorption of supplemental calcium. Calcium, like most minerals, can cause constipation. This makes it difficult to blame either supplement for your bowel trouble. Another reason to take vitamin D emerged from a 2009 study published in the "American Journal of Epidemiology." It suggested that higher levels of cardiovascular death occur in people with low levels of vitamin D. Reports such as these have produced an awareness of the importance of vitamin D supplementation that is unrelated to calcium. With increasing numbers of people taking vitamin D for cardiac protection, the incidence of constipation rises. While a 400 IU dosage used to cover the absorption of calcium supplements, the National Institutes of Health has raised the dose to 1,000 IU for cardiac protection and for the recommended upper limit of vitamin D. At this level, constipation presents as a side effect for many of the people who take it.
As with all things concerning your health, you have to weigh the benefits of vitamin D supplementation against the risks. Constipation doesn’t merely cause discomfort and inconvenience, it carries health risks. Long-standing constipation may predispose you to colorectal cancer, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. On the other hand, if you have a history or family history of cardiovascular disease, it may be important to supplement your diet with vitamin D. The severity of your constipation can be controlled by various means. You can make dietary changes that will help soften your stools. You can help relieve constipation by using a mixture of 1/2 cup of plain bran flakes, applesauce and prune-juice, made in a storage container and refrigerated. Every morning, consume 2 tablespoons of the mixture along with your regular breakfast. Increase your intake of fruits and vegetables and go easy on binding foods such as rice and bananas.
If you don’t find relief from these dietary measures, try an over-the-counter stool softener or laxative. Check with your doctor for a recommendation of the safest product. Gain 2 pounds per week Gain 1.5 pounds per week Gain 1 pound per week Gain 0.5 pound per week Maintain my current weight Lose 0.5 pound per week Lose 1 pound per week Lose 1.5 pounds per week Lose 2 pounds per week 5 Functions of the Skeleton Major Bones of the Skeletal System How Fast Should You Run a Mile? What Vitamins and Supplements Can Cause Constipation? Why Do Calcium & Vitamin D Make You Constipated? Vitamin B12 & Constipation The Flat Bones in the Human Body Infant Constipation & Vitamins How to Keep Calcium Supplements From Causing Constipation Does Taking Vitamin D Promote Bloating & Gas? Vitamins That Relieve Constipation How Fast Can I Get in Shape for a 10-Mile Run? 10 Weird Side Effects of Stress
Side Effects of 5000 IU of Vitamin D What Are the Effects of Taking 50,000 IU of Vitamin D Weekly? 10-Minute Workout for a Better BootyThe U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not strictly regulate herbs and supplements. There is no guarantee of strength, purity or safety of products, and effects may vary. You should always read product labels. If you have a medical condition, or are taking other drugs, herbs, or supplements, you should speak with a qualified healthcare provider before starting a new therapy. Consult a healthcare provider immediately if you experience side effects.Avoid in people with known allergy or sensitivity to vitamin D, any similar compounds, or any part of the formula. Vitamin D is likely safe when taken by mouth in doses of 100 micrograms of vitamin D3 daily (4,000 IU) and when applied to the skin alone or in combination with corticosteroids for up to three months. Vitamin D is possibly safe when taken by mouth or injected into the muscle in doses of 300,000 IU three times a year for vitamin D deficiency.
Vitamin D may cause allergic skin reactions (inflammation, irritation, rash, and thinning), build-up of calcium in the arteries, changes in cholesterol levels, daytime sleepiness, excessive vitamin D levels, hardening of the arteries, headaches, increased calcium excretion or levels, increased risk of falls and fractures, increased risk of heart attack and stroke, increased risk of high blood pressure during pregnancy, increased risk of urinary tract infection, kidney or urinary stones, muscle pain, respiratory tract infection, and stomach problems (constipation, cramps, diarrhea, upset stomach, and vomiting). Vitamin D may affect blood sugar levels. Caution is advised in people with diabetes or low blood sugar, and in those taking drugs, herbs, or supplements that affect blood sugar. Blood sugar levels may need to be monitored by a qualified healthcare professional, including a pharmacist, and medication adjustments may be necessary. Vitamin D may affect blood pressure. Caution is advised in people with blood pressure disorders or those taking drugs or herbs and supplements that affect blood pressure.
Use cautiously in people with headaches, heart disease, immune disorders (including lymph cancer and tuberculosis), kidney disease, liver disease, lung disorders, musculoskeletal disorders, skin disorders, stomach disorders, and thyroid disorders. Use cautiously in pregnant women at risk of high blood pressure associated with pregnancy. Use cautiously in breastfeeding women. Avoid in people with known allergy or sensitivity to vitamin D, any similar compounds, or any part of the formula. Avoid in people with abnormal calcium excretion or levels. Use cautiously in pregnant women at risk of high blood pressure associated with pregnancy. The recommended adequate intake for pregnant women is the same as for non-pregnant adults. Most prenatal vitamins provide 400 IU of vitamin D daily as cholecalciferol, while high-risk populations may benefit from higher amounts (2,000-4,000 IU daily). Use cautiously in breastfeeding women. The daily recommended intake for vitamin D during breastfeeding is 400 IU (10 micrograms) daily.