Everything you should know about Vitamin D

Some foods with vitamin D 

• Fatty fish, such as tuna, salmon, and mackerel are among the best sources. 
• Beef liver, cheese, and egg yolks have small amounts.  
• Mushrooms have some.
  • The vitamin D in some mushrooms found in stores is boosted by exposing them to ultraviolet light. 
• Most milk in the United States has added vitamin D. 
  • Foods made from milk, such as cheese and ice cream, are often not fortified. 
• Many breakfast cereals and some brands of soy drinks, orange juice, yogurt, and margarine have vitamin D.
  • Check the food label.

Vitamin D supplements

It can be hard to get the needed amount of vitamin D from food sources alone. So, some people may need to take a vitamin D supplement. The vitamin D in supplements and added to foods is often D3 (cholecalciferol).

Your doctor needs to check labs before you start taking supplements. They need to recheck a vitamin D 25 Hydroxy lab within one to two months. The lab level should be around 40 for bone healing.

Side effects of vitamin D

Too much vitamin D can make the intestines absorb too much calcium. This may cause high levels of calcium in the blood.

High level of calcium in the blood can lead to 

• Calcium deposits in soft tissues, such as the heart and lungs  
• Confusion and disorientation  
• Harm to the kidneys  
• Kidney stones 
• Nausea (feeling like you need to vomit), vomiting (throwing up), constipation (not able to have a bowel movement), poor appetite (not wanting to eat), weakness, and weight loss