Increased levels of vitamin D and calcium in the body can contribute to several digestive issues like stomach pain, constipation and diarrhea. These can be the signs of other health issues as well, therefore it is important to inform your doctor if you are taking any supplements.
Too much or too little of necessary nutrients, such as vitamin D, can cause significant health problems. That being said, when you intake excess or toxic levels of vitamin D, you may experience constipation, in addition to other digestive problems, loss of appetite, and muscle weakness.
Excessive intake of vitamin D as a supplement can cause hypercalcemia (too much calcium in the blood) with symptoms including constipation.
Constipation is a possible side effect of taking too much vitamin D3 (the form of D that the body produces from sunlight). According to the National Institutes of Health's Office of Dietary Supplements, the maximum daily amount of vitamin D3 that people should consume is: 1,000 to 1,500 IU for infants.
Try taking it alongside breakfast or with a bedtime snack — as long as it doesn't interfere with your sleep. The key is to find what works for you and stick with it to ensure you're meeting your vitamin D needs. Taking vitamin D with a meal can increase its absorption, but studies on specific timing are limited.
Vitamin D
The participants with intestinal disorders that cause constipation had lower levels of vitamin D. These findings do not suggest that increasing vitamin D will relieve constipation, however, as the low vitamin D levels may be a consequence of chronic constipation.
Magnesium helps to increase the amount of water in the intestines, which can help with bowel movements. It may be used as a laxative due to these properties, or as a supplement for magnesium deficiency.
The effect of equivalent oral doses of vitamin D3 600 IU/day, 4200 IU/week and 18,000 IU/month on vitamin D status was compared in a randomized clinical trial in nursing home residents. A daily dose was more effective than a weekly dose, and a monthly dose was the least effective.
If you're not getting enough vitamin D, a vitamin D deficiency could be the cause of gas and gas-related bloating. In fact, one study showed that people who increased their levels of vitamin D had fewer gastrointestinal issues overall.
Analysis showed that higher total vitamin D intake was associated with a significantly reduced risk of early-onset colorectal cancer. The same link was found between higher vitamin D intake and risk of colon polyps detected before age 50.
Vitamin D functions in the digestive system to:
Help regulate calcium absorption. Important for absorption of magnesium, phosphate, iron and zinc. Protect the gut by influencing immune cell function and regulating inflammation. Enhance the diversity and richness of the microbiome, and increase healthy bacteria in the ...
Calcium supplements may increase the incidence of constipation, severe diarrhea, and abdominal pain. It highlights that calcium carbonate is more often associated with gastrointestinal side effects, including constipation, flatulence, and bloating.
Some side effects of taking too much vitamin D include weakness, dry mouth, nausea, vomiting, and others. Taking vitamin D for long periods of time in doses higher than 4000 IU (100 mcg) daily is possibly unsafe and may cause very high levels of calcium in the blood.
In very high doses, many minerals (like iron) and vitamins can harm your body. Current guidelines say adults shouldn't take more than the equivalent of 100 micrograms a day. But vitamin D is a 'fat-soluble' vitamin, so your body can store it for months and you don't need it every day.
The symptoms of vitamin D toxicity are primarily related to hypercalcemia, which means excessively high blood calcium levels ( 13 ). Symptoms of hypercalcemia include: digestive distress, such as vomiting, nausea, constipation, and stomach pain. fatigue, dizziness, hallucinations, and confusion.
Growing evidence has demonstrated that vitamin D has a role in sleep regulation [12]. Specifically, vitamin D deficiency (VDD) can increase risk of sleep disorders and is associated with sleep difficulties, shorter sleep duration, and nocturnal awakenings in children and adults [13,14,15].
There are quite a few differences between vitamin D and vitamin D3, but the main difference between them is that vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that regulates calcium and phosphorous levels in the body, whereas the vitamin D3 is the natural form of vitamin D produced by the body from sunlight.
Research suggests vitamin D is involved in your body's production of melatonin, a hormone that helps regulate your circadian rhythms and can benefit your overall sleep quality. This means vitamin D might actually improve your sleep quality.
Eating a diet that's low in fiber. Getting little or no physical activity. Taking certain medications, including sedatives, opioid pain medications, some antidepressants or medications to lower blood pressure. Having a mental health condition such as depression or an eating disorder.
Insoluble fiber is the most beneficial for softening stools. It does not dissolve in water and helps food pass more quickly from the stomach to the intestines. Wholewheat flour, nuts, beans, and vegetables, such as cauliflower, green beans, and potatoes all contain insoluble fiber.