Health and Me

Ishita Roy

Vitamin D Supplements Under Scrutiny As It Fails Safety Test

In many parts of the world, sun is again unseen, thanks to the extended winters. Does this mean you should worry about your <span>vitamin D</span> levels? Yes. However, it does not mean that everyone needs to rush to the nearest pharmacy for supplements. 

Health and Me had previously <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/nhs-doctors-warn-vitamin-d-users-about-four-key-overdose-symptoms-article-153485836" data-type="tilCustomLink">reported </a> on the adverse impact of overdosing on vitamin D supplements. Now, a new study by The Austrian Association for Consumer Information (VKI), and Stiftung Warentest, a German consumer organization tested 22 supplements and found that only two were suitable for preventing a deficiency.

Also Read: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/nhs-doctors-warn-vitamin-d-users-about-four-key-overdose-symptoms-article-153485836" data-type="tilCustomLink">NHS Doctors Warn Vitamin D Users About Four Key Overdose Symptoms</a> 

<h2>Which Vitamin D Supplements Were Tested?</h2>

<ul><li>Abbey Vitamin D3 2500 IU + Zinc + Selenium</li><li>Abtei Vitamin D3 3000 IU</li><li>Alsiroyal Vitamin D3 plant-based + K2 melt-in-the-mouth tablets</li><li>Cefavit D3 1000 IU</li><li>Cefavit D3 K2 Mg 2000</li><li>Dekristolvit D3 2000 IU</li><li>Dekristolvit D3 4000 IU</li><li>dm Mivolis Vitamin D3 1000 IU</li><li>Doppelherz Active Vitamin D3 2000 IU</li><li>Doppelherz System Vitamin D3 7000 IU</li><li>GSE Vitamin D</li><li>GSE Vitamin D3</li><li>Hübner Vitamin D3 800 IU</li><li>Hübner Vitamin D3 Compact 2000 IU</li><li>Natural Elements Vitamin D3/K2 Drops</li><li>Raab Vitalfood D3 + K2 vitamins</li><li>Rotbäckchen Vital Vitamin D</li><li>Sanotact Vitamin D 3200 IU</li><li>Taxofit Vitamin D3 2500 IU</li><li>Tetesept Vitamin D3 10000 weekly depot</li><li>Tetesept Vitamin D3 2000 high dosage</li><li>Vigantolvit Vitamin D3 2000 IU</li></ul> 

Of these, only GSE and Rotbäckchen were noted to be safe for use. Markus Herrmann, head of the Institute of Medical and Chemical Laboratory Diagnostics at the Medical University of Graz, said, "Based on the available data, reputable professional societies do not recommend vitamin D supplementation for healthy adults." 

VKI found that 20 out of the 22 products tested were overdose. The worst offenders, according to the study were products from: Hübner, Dekristolvit, Alsiroyal, and Sanotact. Their recommended daily dose exceeded that of the GSE product, which is considered effective, by a factor of 20. 

<h2>What Are The Recommendations On Vitamin D?</h2>

VKI generally advises against the use of vitamin D supplements without consulting doctor. However, the belief that vitamin D is essential still persist. Who are at most risk? The answer is: children, elderly, pregnant women, and people who do not get much sun exposure or cover their skin are most likely to be deficient.

Also Read: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/nutrition/after-nhs-warning-on-vitamin-d-turkish-expert-too-warns-of-poisoning-article-153501123" data-type="tilCustomLink">After NHS Warning On Vitamin D, Turkish Expert Too Warns Of Poisoning</a> 

<h2>Time Spent Under Sun In Summers Could Get You Through Winters</h2>

Vitamin D has unique characters that makes it different from vitamin C, another popular supplements. It is a steroid that acts as a hormone in the body and is one of the fat-soluble vitamin. This means, it could be stored in fat and muscles, that too for a relatively long time, says Herrmann.

People who spent a lot of time outdoors in summers only begin to deplete their vitamin D levels in February, which is almost the end of winters. Even after this, a few hours a week in fresh air and winter sunlight is enough to produce sufficient vitamin D again. 

However, experts point out that because vitamin D is stored, this is what makes it difficult to be excreted, especially when the doses are high. It remains in the body and could harm the person.

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In many parts of the world, sun is again unseen, thanks to the extended winters. Does this mean you should worry about your vitamin D levels? Yes. However, it does not mean that everyone needs to rush to the nearest pharmacy for supplements. Health and Me had previously reported  on the adverse impact of overdosing on vitamin D supplements. Now, a new study by The Austrian Association for Consumer Information (VKI), and Stiftung Warentest, a German consumer organization tested 22 supplements and found that only two were suitable for preventing a deficiency.Also Read: NHS Doctors Warn Vitamin D Users About Four Key Overdose Symptoms Which Vitamin D Supplements Were Tested?Abbey Vitamin D3 2500 IU + Zinc + SeleniumAbtei Vitamin D3 3000 IUAlsiroyal Vitamin D3 plant-based + K2 melt-in-the-mouth tabletsCefavit D3 1000 IUCefavit D3 K2 Mg 2000Dekristolvit D3 2000 IUDekristolvit D3 4000 IUdm Mivolis Vitamin D3 1000 IUDoppelherz Active Vitamin D3 2000 IUDoppelherz System Vitamin D3 7000 IUGSE Vitamin DGSE Vitamin D3Hübner Vitamin D3 800 IUHübner Vitamin D3 Compact 2000 IUNatural Elements Vitamin D3/K2 DropsRaab Vitalfood D3 + K2 vitaminsRotbäckchen Vital Vitamin DSanotact Vitamin D 3200 IUTaxofit Vitamin D3 2500 IUTetesept Vitamin D3 10000 weekly depotTetesept Vitamin D3 2000 high dosageVigantolvit Vitamin D3 2000 IU Of these, only GSE and Rotbäckchen were noted to be safe for use. Markus Herrmann, head of the Institute of Medical and Chemical Laboratory Diagnostics at the Medical University of Graz, said, "Based on the available data, reputable professional societies do not recommend vitamin D supplementation for healthy adults." VKI found that 20 out of the 22 products tested were overdose. The worst offenders, according to the study were products from: Hübner, Dekristolvit, Alsiroyal, and Sanotact. Their recommended daily dose exceeded that of the GSE product, which is considered effective, by a factor of 20. What Are The Recommendations On Vitamin D?VKI generally advises against the use of vitamin D supplements without consulting doctor. However, the belief that vitamin D is essential still persist. Who are at most risk? The answer is: children, elderly, pregnant women, and people who do not get much sun exposure or cover their skin are most likely to be deficient.Also Read: After NHS Warning On Vitamin D, Turkish Expert Too Warns Of Poisoning Time Spent Under Sun In Summers Could Get You Through WintersVitamin D has unique characters that makes it different from vitamin C, another popular supplements. It is a steroid that acts as a hormone in the body and is one of the fat-soluble vitamin. This means, it could be stored in fat and muscles, that too for a relatively long time, says Herrmann.People who spent a lot of time outdoors in summers only begin to deplete their vitamin D levels in February, which is almost the end of winters. Even after this, a few hours a week in fresh air and winter sunlight is enough to produce sufficient vitamin D again. However, experts point out that because vitamin D is stored, this is what makes it difficult to be excreted, especially when the doses are high. It remains in the body and could harm the person.