Side effects of taking too much vitamin D and iron supplements

 Source: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/health-fitness/health-news

Do vitamins become dangerous when consumed in high dosages?

Vitamins and minerals are essential for maintaining good health. They play crucial roles in various bodily functions, from boosting the immune system to supporting bone health. However, just like anything else, too much of a good thing can sometimes be harmful. Here is all you need to know about the potential side effects of taking excessive amounts of vitamin D and iron supplements.

Can vitamins at high doses harm the body?

Vitamins and minerals are vital micronutrients that play a fundamental role in maintaining overall health and well-being. These micronutrients are typically obtained through a balanced diet, but many people turn to supplements to ensure they are meeting their daily requirements. In fact, taking them in excessive amounts can sometimes do more harm than good. Overdosing on certain vitamins and minerals can lead to toxicity, causing a range of adverse health effects. Therefore, it's essential to understand the recommended daily intake for each nutrient and to avoid exceeding these limits without medical supervision.

What is vitamin D toxicity?

Vitamin D is essential for the growth and development of muscle cells, the proper functioning of the immune system, and the maintenance of skeletal health. However, excessive intake of vitamin D can lead to toxicity. Vitamin D toxicity, also known as hypervitaminosis D, occurs when there are excessive amounts of vitamin D in the body. This usually happens due to over-supplementation rather than diet or sun exposure. The main consequence of vitamin D toxicity is a buildup of calcium in the blood, known as hypercalcemia.

Symptoms of vitamin D toxicity and recommended dosage

Symptoms of vitamin D toxicity include elevated blood levels, nausea, vomiting, weakness, frequent urination, bone pain, and kidney problems, such as the formation of calcium stones. In severe cases, it can even lead to coma and death. While recommendations on optimal vitamin D levels vary, it is often suggested that levels between 30–60 ng/mL are likely optimal for most people. However, exceeding 100 ng/mL can be harmful. Most cases of vitamin D toxicity are caused by inappropriate supplement dosing and prescription errors.

Can your body say “No more iron, please!”?

Iron is another essential nutrient that plays a vital role in various bodily functions, including the transportation of oxygen in the blood. While iron is crucial for good health, excessive intake can be harmful.

Taking high doses of iron supplements, especially on an empty stomach, can cause several side effects, including:

- Upset stomach

- Constipation

- Nausea

- Abdominal pain

- Vomiting

- Diarrhea

- Inflammation of the stomach lining

- Ulcers

Severe side effects of too much iron and daily required dosage

How does vitamin D help us?

Vitamin D plays several crucial roles in the body, making it essential for overall health and well-being. Firstly, it is vital for maintaining strong and healthy bones by regulating calcium and phosphorus levels. Vitamin D promotes calcium absorption in the gut and helps maintain adequate calcium and phosphate concentrations in the blood, which are essential for bone mineralisation. Vitamin D is involved in the regulation of the immune system, supporting immune function and reducing the risk of infections. It also plays a role in muscle function and strength, improving muscle coordination and reducing the risk of falls and fractures, especially in older adults.

 

Pani Puri to ice cream, 6 street foods you must avoid this summer to prevent digestive issues

 Source: https://www.hindustantimes.com/lifestyle/health/

Think twice before indulging in pani puri, ice cream, and lemonade bought from street vendors as contaminated water in these items can cause digestive trouble.

As Mumbai, Pune, Gujarat among other cities in India reel under heatwave conditions, it's important to take care of your gut health. Among the body functions that are most affected during hot summer months is your digestive system. During extreme heat conditions, our metabolism tends to slow down finding it hard to digest high-calorie and fatty foods. In high temperatures, bacteria and microbes thrive and this can increase risk of food-borne infections and digestive issues. Eating street foods without considering hygiene factors can be problematic during this time as one can contract typhoid, jaundice and other gut health issues. (Also read: What does stress do to your gut health? Here’s all you need to know)

Expert points out that the increasing number of typhoid and jaundice cases are linked to contaminated water used in the ice cream or pani puri which in turn can also cause abdominal distress such as cramps, dysentery, and unbearable pain.(Pinterest)

Avoid buying foods like pani puri, ice cream, and lemonade from street vendors as contaminated water used in these items can cause digestive issues such as cramps, dysentery, and pain.

STREET FOODS TO AVOID THIS SUMMER

Dr Manjusha Agarwal, Senior Consultant Internal Medicine Gleneagles Hospitals Parel Mumbai shares a list of street foods one must consider avoiding this summer to protect health.

1. Cut fruits and vegetables: While fresh fruits and salads may seem like a healthy choice, those that are left uncovered and exposed to the heat can quickly become a breeding ground for bacteria. Consuming contaminated fruits and vegetables can lead to food poisoning and gastrointestinal issues.

2. Seafood: Fish tacos, ceviche, and shrimp skewers are popular street food items, especially in coastal regions. However, seafood is highly perishable and can spoil quickly in the heat, increasing the risk of foodborne illnesses like bacterial infections and parasitic diseases.

3. Dairy-based desserts: Ice cream, kulfi, and milkshakes are popular summer treats. However, these desserts require proper refrigeration to prevent bacterial growth. Consuming dairy products that have been left out in the heat can lead to stomach upset and foodborne illnesses.

4. Grilled meat skewers and kebabs: They may be a staple of summer street food festivals, but they can be risky if not cooked thoroughly. Undercooked or improperly handled meat can harbour harmful bacteria like E. coli and Salmonella, causing severe food poisoning.

5. Chutney: Street food vendors often use homemade or unpasteurized sauces, chutneys, and condiments to enhance the flavour of their dishes. These condiments can be a hidden source of contamination if not stored and handled properly. Consuming contaminated sauces and condiments can increase the risk of foodborne illnesses.

6. Lemonade: Freshly squeezed juices, lemonades, and other beverages may seem refreshing, but they can pose a risk if made with unpasteurised or contaminated ingredients. Unpasteurised juices can lead to infections and gastrointestinal problems.

 

This diabetes drug can slow down worsening of Parkinson's disease

 Source: https://www.hindustantimes.com/lifestyle/health

Diabetes drug lixisenatide could slow down progression of Parkinson's disease, a development that's considered a significance step in the disease's management.

In what could be termed as a significant step towards management of Parkinson's disease, a new study done by French researchers has found out that diabetes drug lixisenatide can slow down progression of symptoms of the degenerative brain condition.

Studies have shown connection between diabetes and Parkinson's disease. People who have both the disorders, register rapid deterioration in symptoms compared to those who just suffer from Parkinson's. (Freepik)

The study published in The New England Journal of Medicine picked 156 people for the investigation with mild to moderate Parkinson's disease symptoms and those who were on Parkinson's drugs. While half of this group were given the said GLP-1 drug for a year, the other half received a placebo. After a year, those who did not receive the diabetes drug showed deterioration in their symptoms by three points on the severity scale of the degenerative disease, while the other group showed no progression in symptoms. However, researchers also noted side effects of lixisenatide. Around 46% of the people who received this drug experienced nausea, while around 13% had symptoms of vomiting.

Lixisenatide is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist used in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus. GLP-1 encourages release of insulin from the pancreas, increasing the volume of cells in the pancreas that produce insulin and reduces the release of glucagon.

Studies have shown connection between diabetes and Parkinson's disease. People who have both the disorders, register rapid deterioration in symptoms compared to those who just suffer from Parkinson's. A progressive neurodegenerative disorder, Parkinson's affect central nervous system and the telltale signs include tremor in one hand, slow movements, stiffness in body parts and issues with balance and coordination. In the more advanced stages, legs can stiffen to the point which can make walking and maintaining balance while standing impossible, necessitating the use of wheelchairs.

“For 30 years, we have been trying to understand how to slow the decline associated with Parkinson’s disease over time. In this context, the positive results of the Lixipark phase 2 trial showing less progression of motor symptoms of Parkinson’s disease over a year constitute a significant step forward in the future management of the disease. We look forward to confirming these encouraging results in the future, in order to translate such findings into clinical practice," Professors Wassilios Meissner and Olivier Rascol, principal investigators of the study were quoted by The Guardian as saying.

“We’re all cautious. There’s a long history of trying different things in Parkinson’s that ultimately didn’t work,” he says. A difference of three points in the rating score is a small change — one that many people with Parkinson’s would struggle to notice, he says. “What happens at 5 years? Is it 15 points then, or is it still 3? If it’s still 3, then this is not worth it," David Standaert, a neurologist at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, who was not involved in the trial, was quoted by Nature as saying.