Vitamins and mineralsHigh-dose vitamin D — a lifesaver or a risk of overdose?
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Jan Jaśkowski believes that high doses of vitamin D3 are usually safe, but Jerzy Zięba warns that it can build up in the body.
- Jan Jaśkowski says toxicity can occur at doses above 40,000 IU per day, and checking blood levels helps determine a safe supplement dose.
- Jerzy Zięba recommends deciding on the dose with a doctor, so the opinions presented differ on the safety of supplementation and how to take it.
What the authors write
Jan Jaśkowski
Jan Jaśkowski believes that daily doses of several thousand or even tens of thousands of IU are safe.
„There is no single answer for everyone to the question “What dose of vitamin D3 is right for me?”, but research clearly shows that:
doses of several thousand or even tens of thousands of IU per day are safe,
an optimal blood level (60–80 ng/ml) brings real health benefits,
it is worth checking vitamin levels with blood tests.”Pytanie „jaka dawka witaminy D3 jest dla mnie odpowiednia?” nie ma jednej odpowiedzi dla wszystkich, ale badania jasno wskazują, że:
dawki rzędu kilku lub nawet kilkunastu tysięcy IU dziennie są bezpieczne,
optymalny poziom we krwi (60–80 ng/ml) daje realne korzyści zdrowotne,
warto kontrolować poziom witaminy poprzez badania krwi.
Jan Jaśkowski
Jan Jaśkowski says toxicity can occur at doses above 40,000 IU per day.
„Research shows that only doses above 40,000 IU per day may lead to toxicity, meaning a level above 200 ng/ml. This means that supplementation, even at the highest permitted dose, is safe for the vast majority of people.”Badania pokazują, że dopiero dawki powyżej 40 000 IU dziennie mogą prowadzić do toksyczności, czyli przekroczenia stężenia 200 ng/ml. Oznacza to, że suplementacja nawet maksymalną dopuszczalną dawką jest bezpieczna dla zdecydowanej większości osób.
Jan Jaśkowski
Jan Jaśkowski explains that toxicity means too much calcium in the body.
„Recently, I have often come across statements by various experts claiming that taking high doses of vitamin D3 can be toxic. In this case, toxicity means hypercalcemia, or too much calcium in the body. But is that really true? What does scientific research actually say about this, and what dose of vitamin D3 is safe?”Ostatnio bardzo często spotykam się z wypowiedziami różnych ekspertów twierdzących, że przyjmowanie dużych dawek witaminy D3 może być toksyczne. Toksyczność w tym przypadku oznacza hiperkalcemię, czyli nadmiar wapnia w organizmie. Ale czy rzeczywiście tak jest? Co tak naprawdę mówią o tym badania naukowe i jaka dawka witaminy D3 jest bezpieczna?
Jan Jaśkowski
Jan Jaśkowski recommends testing vitamin D levels in the blood because absorption and the body's response to the same dose can vary.
„One of the most important parts of safe supplementation is checking the level of vitamin D3 in the blood. Everyone should have this test at least once because:
it is not always clear how well a given supplement is absorbed,
people may respond differently to the same dose.”Jednym z najważniejszych elementów bezpiecznej suplementacji jest kontrola stężenia witaminy D3 we krwi. Każdy powinien przynajmniej raz wykonać takie badanie, ponieważ:
nie zawsze wiadomo, jak dobrze dany suplement się wchłania,
reakcja organizmu na tę samą dawkę może różnić się u poszczególnych osób.
Jan Jaśkowski
Jan Jaśkowski links adequate vitamin D levels to benefits for bones, the heart, and mood.
„Vitamin D also affects mental wellbeing. Many older people live alone and have chronic illnesses. This affects their mental health and is a common cause of depression. Low vitamin D levels have been linked to more frequent depression, and supplementation helps treat depression.”Witamina D ma również wpływ na nastrój psychiczny. Wielu seniorów żyje samotnie i jest przewlekle schorowana. To odbija się na ich psychice i jest częstą przyczyną depresji. Powiązano niski poziom witaminy D z częstszym występowaniem depresji, a jej suplementacja pomaga w leczeniu depresji.
Jerzy Zięba
Jerzy Zięba warns that vitamin D3 dissolves in fat and can build up in the body.
„As for vitamin D3, it is fat-soluble. It can therefore build up in our bodies. That is why, before starting supplementation, you should contact your primary care doctor to determine the right dose, concludes the professor.”Natomiast jeśli chodzi o witaminę D3 jest ona rozpuszczalna w tłuszczach. Jest to zatem związek, który może podlegać kumulacji w naszym organizmie. Dlatego przed rozpoczęciem suplementacji należy skontaktować się z lekarzem POZ w celu ustalenia odpowiedniej dawki - reasumuje prof.
Jerzy Zięba
Jerzy Zięba recommends consulting a doctor about the dose before starting supplementation.
„“That is why, before starting supplementation, you should contact your primary care doctor to determine the right dose,” concludes Professor Boroń-Kaczmarska.
Read the article at dziennikpolski24.pl: https://dziennikpolski24.pl/koronawirus-a-witamina-c-i-d3-prof-boronkaczmarska-same-witaminy-nie-lecza/ar/c14-15297227
Can vitamin C protect you from COVID-19?”Dlatego przed rozpoczęciem suplementacji należy skontaktować się z lekarzem POZ w celu ustalenia odpowiedniej dawki - reasumuje prof. Boroń-Kaczmarska.”
Artykuł przeczytacie w dziennikpolski24.pl: https://dziennikpolski24.pl/koronawirus-a-witamina-c-i-d3-prof-boronkaczmarska-same-witaminy-nie-lecza/ar/c14-15297227
Czy witamina C może uchronić cię przed COVID-19?
Jerzy Jaśkowski
Jerzy Jaśkowski says the body needs about 5,000 units of vitamin D3 per day and points to much higher target blood levels.
„Our body needs about 5,000 units of vitamin D3 per day (in Polish conditions). Pharmaceutical companies set their own vitamin D level at 30 ng. Remember that all serious studies state that the correct level of vitamin D3 is at least 70 ng, and ideally around”Nasz organizm potrzebuje około 5000 jednostek witaminy D3 dziennie (w warunkach polskich). Koncerny farmaceutyczne ustaliły własny poziom witaminy D w ilości 30 ng. Pamiętajmy, że wszelkie poważne prace podają, że prawidłowy poziom witaminy D3 wynosi najmniej 70 ng, a najlepiej ok.
Research from PubMed · Europe PMC
We selected 2 studies with the best, positive results. This is a selection, not a full review of all research.
Total number of studies on this topic in PubMed: 55.
The review found that high doses normalized vitamin D levels in many patients, but some experienced adverse effects.
Aim of the study: Supplementation with high doses of vitamin D, known as mega-dose or "stoss therapy," refers to administering high doses of vitamin D by oral or intramuscular route in short periods of time. In this sense, conducting a review to organize this knowledge in a single article will generate a helpful instrument for researchers working in this area and for health professionals who use this therapeutic tool.
Results: Of the 59 articles screened for this review, 10 were included in the review, studying patients with rickets, osteoporosis, and critically ill patients. Two studies compared the exact dosage of vitamin D by different routes of administration, and three studies compared different doses by the same route. All others studied vitamin D mega-dose versus placebo. Adverse effects were observed through the presence of hypercalcemia/hypercalciuria. Serum vitamin D levels were normalized between 70 and 100% of patients, and adverse effects ranged between 1.9 and 18.5%. The study demonstrated that vitamin D mega-dose therapy is effective in normalizing serum vitamin levels, and the toxicity assessed through adverse effects was low, with no expressive clinical significance. Despite this, there is still a need for further studies in the area to confirm the results found.
Money for the studynot stated
Do the authors have ties to companies?not stated
Did a manufacturer help with the study?unknown
Type of studyreview of many studies
“Not stated” does not mean nobody paid — the database does not always record it.
In people with a deficiency, a single dose of 300,000 IU or two doses of 300,000 IU rapidly raised vitamin D levels, with no signs of toxicity in the study group.
Aim of the study: Enhancing vitamin D levels as a crucial modifiable risk factor may provide a critical contribution to prevent susceptibility to various diseases, including musculoskeletal, autoimmune, and inflammatory rheumatic diseases as well as promoting overall health. However, adherence to daily vitamin D supplementation is generally poor, and there are some concerns regarding the high-dose vitamin D supplementation's safety.
Results: After one week of replacement therapy, the 25(OH)D levels increased from 6.3 (4.0-9.9) ng/mL to 53.3 (8.3-84.4) ng/mL and from 15.0 (10.1-19.6) ng/mL to 38.4 (16.3-67.7) in the group with severe and those with the mild-to-moderate vitamin D deficiency, respectively. Except for three patients, nearly all patients (98%) achieved levels above 20 ng/mL. No signs of toxicity were observed in any of the patients. During the 6-month follow-up, falls were observed in 3 patients (2.8%), but no fractures were reported. A single dose of 300,000 IU of oral cholecalciferol or two consecutive doses with a total dose of 600,000 IU cholecalciferol can effectively and reliably increase the 25(OH)D serum levels within one week in nearly all patients. The results may contribute to optimizing treatment strategies for vitamin D deficiency and re-evaluating the potential negative impact of high-dose vitamin D supplementation.
Money for the studynot stated
Do the authors have ties to companies?not stated
Did a manufacturer help with the study?unknown
Type of studyobservation of people
Participants160
“Not stated” does not mean nobody paid — the database does not always record it.
Perspectives and opinion materials
The content below presents the authors’ opinions, interpretations and hypotheses. It is not treated as equal to scientific studies and systematic reviews.
Orthomolecular Medicine News Service Opinion material
„Optimal Range 40-80 ng/mL (100-200 nmol/L) Safety Profile VITAL (2,000 IU/day) and ViDA (monthly 100,000 IU) trials: No increase in hypercalcemia No increase in kidney stones Toxicity rare below 150 ng/mL Real toxicity occurs only >200 ng/mL Vitamin D remains one of the safest nutrients in modern medicine. See Figure 3 for the Vitamin D toxicity curve and documented hypercalcemia thresholds. Figure 3. Vitamin D Safety Curve This figure shows that real toxicity is extremely rare below 150 ng/mL, and documented toxicity occurs only when blood levels exceed 200 ng/mtheL, typically from accidental massive overdosing (data from [3-12]. 5.”Optimal Range 40-80 ng/mL (100-200 nmol/L) Safety Profile VITAL (2,000 IU/day) and ViDA (monthly 100,000 IU) trials: No increase in hypercalcemia No increase in kidney stones Toxicity rare below 150 ng/mL Real toxicity occurs only >200 ng/mL Vitamin D remains one of the safest nutrients in modern medicine. See Figure 3 for the Vitamin D toxicity curve and documented hypercalcemia thresholds. Figure 3. Vitamin D Safety Curve This figure shows that real toxicity is extremely rare below 150 ng/mL, and documented toxicity occurs only when blood levels exceed 200 ng/mtheL, typically from accidental massive overdosing (data from [3-12]. 5.
Orthomolecular Medicine News Service Opinion material
„Vitamin D levels higher than 150 ng/ml can contribute to toxicity but are rare. Direct mid-day summer sunlight on the skin can make adequate vitamin D with enough skin exposure. However sunlight does not cause vitamin D toxicity because at high vitamin D levels the body stops making it. Exposure to sunlight when the sun is less than 45 degrees above the horizon, or to sunlight through a glass window, though it can cause tanning, does not produce vitamin D (UVB light is required). Most of us don't get enough vitamin D from our limited exposure to sunlight, especially in the winter.”Vitamin D levels higher than 150 ng/ml can contribute to toxicity but are rare. Direct mid-day summer sunlight on the skin can make adequate vitamin D with enough skin exposure. However sunlight does not cause vitamin D toxicity because at high vitamin D levels the body stops making it. Exposure to sunlight when the sun is less than 45 degrees above the horizon, or to sunlight through a glass window, though it can cause tanning, does not produce vitamin D (UVB light is required). Most of us don't get enough vitamin D from our limited exposure to sunlight, especially in the winter.
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