Vitamin D is a vital nutrient involved inimmune support, bone health, muscle function, and more.
Research showsalmost half the population1in the U.S. is insufficient in the beloved vitamin.
But here’s the thing: That’s old-school science.
The risk of toxicity is not even relevant atuseful, science-backed supplement doses, Ferira says.
Allow us to explain.
Can you get too much vitamin D?
The issue, though, is that this makes people assume that 1,000 I.U.
), Ferira says.
What new research says about vitamin D toxicity.
One key point here: that 150 ng/ml mention.
That’sthreetimes higher than the healthy range clinicians typically recommend (50 ng/ml) for vitamin D sufficiency.
Meanwhile, another2014 study3found that taking a whopping 20,000 I.U.
So, successful, not scary.
According to Ferira, this is simply untrue.
“In reality, true reports of frank vitamin D toxicity withclinical evidence2have occurred at 200,000 to 300,000 I.U.
per dayyes, you read that correctlyin vulnerable populations like infants or folks with medical issues.”
Sweeping statements about fat-soluble nutrients and toxicity simply aren’t useful.
Ferira continues, “That kind of fear-mongering totally lacks nuance and is an antiquated concept.
Let’s use another fat-soluble supplement as an example: vitamin A. of vitamin D from our diet.
So how much vitamin D is actually too much?
of vitamin D per day6is considered a science-backed Tolerable Upper Intake Level (U.L.)
from top vitamin D researchers who have actually studied vitamin D toxicity for decades,” says Ferira.
To be clear, the U.L.
Instead, the U.L.
“That’s an important call-out: general population,” Ferira continues.
In fact, some people may even needmorethan 10,000 I.U.
of vitamin D3 per day to reach the desired 50 ng/mL range.
The takeaway.
As Ferira puts it: “I think vitamin D is like water, metaphorically speaking.
It’s absolutely essential and its impact on the body is incredibly widespread.
Want to see some options wedoapprove of?
Here are ourfavorite vitamin D supplementson the market.
