In healthy people, vitamin D is not generally known to cause cramping and diarrhea when taken at doctor-recommended doses and as a single agent. Excessive amounts of vitamin D, however, can lead to toxicity and related symptoms, some of which are gastrointestinal. Many types of vitamin D supplements may also include calcium, magnesium and zinc. High doses of magnesium from dietary supplements often result in diarrhea that can be accompanied by nausea and abdominal cramping. Excessive doses of vitamin D, alone, can result in toxicity, with a long list of potential symptoms that includes diarrhea and constipation. In adults, taking 50,000 international units of vitamin D a day over several weeks leads to toxicity. Dairy products can cause cramping and diarrhea if you have lactose intolerance and are using dairy to supplement your vitamin D levels. If you were diagnosed with vitamin D deficiency, it is possible that the reason for your deficiency is also causing cramping and diarrhea.
For example, inflammatory bowel disease causes vitamin D deficiency, but the main symptoms are also cramping and diarrhea. It may be that further investigation is needed to look for a cause of the vitamin D deficiency, and this may also solve the cramping and diarrhea. Consult with your doctor before taking supplements, since interactions with commonly prescribed medications are possible. In addition to diarrhea and constipation, symptoms of acute vitamin D toxicity may include confusion, frequent need to urinate, thirst, lack of appetite, vomiting and muscle weakness. Seek urgent medical care for cramping and diarrhea accompanied by severe abdominal or rectal pain, blood in your stool, black, tarry stools or fever. Also be on the lookout for signs of dehydration such as decreased urine output, dizziness or lightheadedness, thirst, headache and dry, sticky mouth. Side Effects of Taking Collagen Supplements Negative Side Effects of Taking Vitamin D Supplements How to Cook a Boneless Pork Roast in a Crockpot
Do Certain Vitamins Cause Diarrhea? Do Calcium Pills Cause Diarrhea? Can Vitamin A & D Cause Loose Stools? Does Vitamin B-12 Cause Diarrhea? Can Fish Oil Cause Diarrhea? Side Effects of 5000 IU of Vitamin D How Can I Take Vitamin D Without it Hurting My Stomach? Can Vitamin D Cause Stomach Cramps? Can You Get Diarrhea From Taking a Multivitamin? What Fruits Contain Collagen? What Are the Effects of Taking 50,000 IU of Vitamin D Weekly? Can Taking Vitamin D Supplements and Calcium Supplements Cause Hard Stools and Constipation? Can Vitamins Change the Color of Your Bowel Movement?Proper vitamin D absorption depends on other nutrients. If you are deficient in even one of them, you can have difficulties taking a high enough vitamin D dosage to get your levels up to where they should be. Most doctors are not familiar with the many health benefits of this critical nutrient. Similarly, they do not know how much we need to receive these benefits.
The RDA for vitamin D is about 400 IU per day for an adult. Just like we've discovered for the health benefits of vitamin C, the RDA is set way too low.The RDA for vitamin C will prevent scurvy; the RDA for vitamin D will prevent rickets. We need considerably more to avoid vitamin D deficiency symptoms that are caused by low vitamin D levels.For most adults spending the majority of their time indoors, a dosage of 5,000 IU is reasonable. Compare that to the RDA of 400 IU.What am I getting at here? Say you take a 5,000 IU dose of vitamin D and soon after develop diarrhea, intestinal cramping, or some other digestive problem.Your doctor will tell you that you are experiencing vitamin D toxicity symptoms. That might make you stop taking vitamin D, which would be a real shame, as the vast majority of us are vitamin D deficient.So what to do? Learn about what other nutrients vitamin D needs in order to do its job in your body.First, make sure you are taking a natural vitamin D supplement.
Vitamin D2 is a synthetic drug that drug companies made so they could make more money off of you. Our bodies have a much harder time properly utilizing it.Vitamin D3 still not helping? You could be low in magnesium - see magnesium and vitamin D for an explanation of this relationship.I recommend magnesium oil (magnesium chloride) for maximum magnesium absorption. Most oral supplements are difficult for the body to utilize and can cause diarrhea if you take too much at one time. It makes it difficult to get enough into your body to raise your magnesium levels.Magnesium oil is just sprayed onto your skin and rubbed in. That means no worries about any digestive troubles or overdose. You'll skin will absorb only as much as it needs.What if you are still having problems?It could be a zinc deficiency.Magnesium is the probably the most important cofactor of vitamin D, but zinc plays a role too. And most of us are deficient in zinc too. See list of minerals for immune health for an explanation on how to take zinc.
That should clear up most people's problems with vitamin D absorption. If not, there are a few other things to consider.Perhaps you are missing one or more of the rest of the vitamin D cofactors.Besides magnesium and zinc, there is vitamin K, boron, and vitamin A. But we only need tiny amounts of these nutrients for good vitamin D absorption, so taking an organic whole food supplement should take care of that.You also might want to switch over to a dry vitamin D if you are using a vitamin D that comes in oil.A lot of times these carrier oils are rancid (see polyunsaturated fats for why) and can upset your stomach. See natural vitamin D for the supplement I take and recommend. Health and Wellness Home - Benefits of Vitamin D -The 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. Vitamin D2 in doses of 2,000 IU daily or 60,000 IU monthly for three months has been found to be safe and effective. Exclusively breastfed babies may be supplemented with 400-2,000 IU daily. This evidence-based monograph was prepared by The Natural Standard Research Collaboration