Latest news with #VitaminD3
Indian Express
a day ago
- Health
- Indian Express
42-year-old had severe vitamin B12, Vitamin D deficiency despite diabetes medication: What caused it?
A 42-year-old man, with uncontrolled type 2 diabetes, came to us complaining of persistent fatigue, tingling in his hands and feet and trouble walking. This meant that his blood sugar had begun to damage his nerves. Predictably his HbA1c count (average blood sugar of three months) was 9.2 per cent (poorly controlled diabetes). But what surprised me was his vitamin counts: Vitamin B12: 123 pg/mL (severely deficient), Vitamin D3: 8 ng/mL (deficient) and magnesium: 1.5 mg/dL (low). So what was he doing wrong? The man had been taking Metformin for years without B12 supplementation. His diet lacked dairy and fruits due to misconceptions about managing blood sugar. After starting vitamin B12 injections and vitamin D supplementation, along with improved diets and diabetes control, his symptoms of neuropathy significantly improved over four months. This case underlines the importance of looking beyond just blood sugar numbers as vitamin deficiencies can mimic or aggravate diabetic complications. Beyond its direct effects on glucose metabolism, diabetes can also interfere with nutrient absorption, leading to several micronutrient deficiencies. Over time, these deficiencies can worsen diabetic complications such as neuropathy, poor wound healing and cardiovascular issues. Why do people with diabetes develop vitamin deficiencies? This is because of increased urinary losses. High blood sugar levels lead to a condition called osmotic diuresis, where the kidneys excrete more water and, along with it, water-soluble vitamins such as Vitamin B1 (thiamine), Vitamin B12, and Vitamin C. This effect is more pronounced in poorly controlled diabetes. Diabetes can cause gastroparesis, or delayed stomach emptying, which affects digestion and absorption of nutrients. Long-term use of Metformin, a common diabetes medication, is also known to interfere with Vitamin B12 absorption in the intestines. Chronic low-grade inflammation in diabetic patients increases the body's need for antioxidants like Vitamin C, Vitamin E and selenium. However, these nutrients are often depleted faster than they can be replenished. Type 2 diabetes is commonly associated with obesity and fatty liver, both of which impair fat metabolism. This affects the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins like A, D, E, and K. Dietary restrictions or poor diet People with diabetes often limit their food choices, sometimes avoiding fruits or certain carbohydrates due to fear of sugar spikes. This can unintentionally lead to insufficient intake of essential vitamins and minerals. Most common deficiencies Vitamin D deficiency is common as it is linked with insulin resistance and immune dysfunction. Vitamin B12 deficiency is common, especially those on Metformin, and can cause fatigue, memory loss, and worsening neuropathy. Thiamine (Vitamin B1) deficiency can lead to worsening diabetic neuropathy and cardiac issues. Magnesium is an important co-factor for insulin signalling. But this is often lost through urine in diabetics. What can patients and caregivers do? Do not miss your routine screening, especially for B12 and Vitamin D in long-term diabetes patients or those on Metformin. Include nutrient-rich foods like green leafy vegetables, low-sugar fruits, dairy, nuts, and seeds. Under the supervision of a healthcare provider, appropriate supplementation can prevent long-term complications. Also, periodic assessment of the side effects of diabetic medications is essential. Diabetes management is not just about sugar — it's about complete nutritional care. (Dr Chaturvedi is senior endocrinologist, Apollo Hospitals, New Delhi)
Time of India
3 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
Side effects of Vitamin D shots and why no one talks about its link with blocked arteries
Vitamin D is known as "sunshine vitamin", and serves two essential purposes for human health: bone development and immune system support. However, even in a tropical country like India, Vitamin D deficiency is extremely common, due to factors like poor diet, limited sun exposure, and remaining indoors. While there are pills for the deficiency, doctors sometimes administer Vitamin D injections to patients with extremely low levels, since these enter the bloodstream directly. However, do you know that these injections can have serious side effects, including blocked arteries? Let's take a look.. What Are Vitamin D Shots Doctors administer Vitamin D3 shots to patients who need strong vitamin D therapy, because their levels are critically low, or their bodies fail to absorb the vitamin through food or pills. The high dose of Vitamin D3 injected into your muscles delivers the treatment directly to your bloodstream, which accelerates deficiency correction. Common Side Effects of Vitamin D Shots Most individuals experience no issues with vitamin D injections, yet potential side effects exist: The most common side effect is pain or swelling that develops at the injection site which resolves itself within several hours or days. The area may become bruised when people receive multiple injections, which results in discomfort at the injection site. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Earn Upto 5k Daily By This Method of Intraday Trading TradeWise Learn More Undo Some people might experience nausea together with vomiting, when vitamin D accumulation exceeds safe levels. When people experience excessive vitamin D levels in their bodies, they often develop vomiting and stomach nausea. The symptoms of headache and dizziness tend to be mild, yet they can become bothersome if they persist for a longer period. Some people develop constipation, while others experience a dry metallic taste in their mouth. Excessive vitamin D consumption leads to decreased hunger and subsequent weight reduction, and muscle weakness in the body. A few individuals experience mood variations and mental confusion, together with cognitive difficulties. Rare instances of high doses may result in heart rhythm alterations, which produce fast or slow or irregular heartbeats. When vitamin D levels become excessive in the blood, it leads to both increased thirst and more frequent urination. Excessive consumption of vitamin D over time can create dangerous calcium levels, which damage the kidneys and produce kidney stones. The Severe Health Risks of Vitamin D Toxicity People who receive frequent or large vitamin D shots face a higher risk of developing vitamin D toxicity, because their levels become excessively high. The medical condition known as vitamin D toxicity or "hypervitaminosis D" develops when the body receives excessive amounts of this vitamin. The following signs appear during this condition: Confusion or disorientation Extreme tiredness High calcium in the blood (hypercalcemia): causes confusion, vomiting, kidney stones, heart issues Severe dehydration Why No One Talks About Blocked Arteries and Vitamin D Your body uses vitamin D to absorb calcium for bone health maintenance. Elevated vitamin D levels create a situation where calcium starts accumulating beyond bones, and enters other body regions such as blood vessels. Arterial Calcification: How Vitamin D May Be Linked The medical term arterial calcification describes the process of artery blockage through calcium accumulation. The process of arterial stiffening through atherosclerosis occurs when arteries become more prone to blockages. Scientific research shows that taking excessive doses of vitamin D creates conditions where calcium forms deposits in arteries, instead of bones leading to future heart disease development. Research: What Does the Science Say Observational studies demonstrate that very low vitamin D levels are connected with higher heart risks, even though research on vitamin D supplements and injections for heart disease prevention remains inconclusive. Studies of high vitamin D dosages in animals sometimes show arterial calcification, but the results do not consistently apply to human subjects. Research demonstrates that vitamin D toxicity from excessive doses or prolonged use, results in elevated blood calcium levels which can cause arterial calcification and potentially lead to blocked arteries. Research indicates that Vitamin D deficiency poses risks to the heart, but high or excessive intake in people who do not require it, does not offer clear cardiovascular benefits and could potentially cause harm. Are Vitamin D Shots Safe for Your Arteries The majority of people experience no harm from receiving a single shot or undergoing short-term medical treatment under doctor supervision. But: People who have heart disease together with a history of kidney stones and elevated blood calcium levels, require extra attention during treatment. The risk increases when patients receive prolonged or high-dose injections without blood testing. Sources WebMD The National Institutes of Health (NIH) Cleveland Clinic and Mayo Clinic MedlinePlus
Evening Standard
16-07-2025
- Health
- Evening Standard
The best subscription services to streamline your life
All-in-one multivitamins are so last century. These personalised vitamin stacks are the latest, hi-tech way to get all the nutrients you need, without needlessly gulping down the ones you don't. If you're looking for one tablet to suit all ills, these 3D-printed stacks won't fit the bill but they are perfect if you want a supplement designed for your unique needs, according to your diet, deficiencies and individual goals. Before ordering, you fill in an easy quiz to work out exactly what will be in your stack. This covers how well you're sleeping, how much exercise you do, how often you travel abroad, whether you wear glasses and if you suffer from a range of complaints including depression, IBS and low libido. You'll also select your top two priorities, whether that's to lose weight, manage stress better or delay ageing. A box of personalised vitamin stacks arrives in the post soon after and will be delivered every 28 days if you take out a subscription. Each one is vegan and sugar-free and includes a combination of seven nutrients, selected to best suit your needs. Ours included the unusual Scutell-Up to help relieve stress and regulate sleep, vegan Vitamin D3 to boost natural immunity and support muscle function and Vitamin B12 (Cyanocobalamin) to increase energy levels.
Yahoo
16-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
If you've had a bad night's sleep these 5 hacks will get you through the day
A bad night's sleep can strike for any number of reasons. A fussy child who won't settle, stress about looming work deadlines, motorbikes racing by at 3am… What doesn't tend to vary is how awful you feel the next day, particularly if you're facing a jam-packed schedule of meetings, appointments and life admin. To feel rested and recharged, the NHS recommends we get seven to nine hours of sleep per night, but stats suggest that almost one in five people in the UK aren't getting enough. When you're short on sleep, it's tempting to call in sick and retreat under your duvet for the foreseeable – but you don't need to cancel your plans entirely. Some simple tips and hacks can help you feel more energised, focused and human. When you're struggling to keep your eyes open at your desk, it's tempting to make regular trips to the office coffee machine to fuel yourself on strong espresso. While it's true that caffeine has a stimulant effect on the brain, increasing alertness and focus, a 2017 review found that drinking too much too late in the day can cause you to fall asleep later, sleep fewer hours overall and have less satisfying sleep. To avoid sleepless nights becoming a vicious cycle, load up on strong coffee early in the morning and have your final cup at lunchtime, to avoid caffeine interfering with the next night's kip. Sweating through a round of burpees is probably the last thing you want to do when you're already tired, but a strategic sweat session can keep you feeling energised when you're flagging. This is because exercise increases endorphins, feel-good neurochemicals in the brain that boost energy and mood. Research has shown that endorphins rise an hour after exercise, so a well-timed lunchtime workout can help you to navigate the tricky 3pm slump. Vigorous movement also increases blood flow around the body, which boosts oxygen circulation, supporting energy production. If you can't stomach the idea of an all-out HIIT class, even a gentle yoga class can help. After a bad night's sleep, leaving the curtains closed and logging onto your laptop in your pyjamas might be tempting. But this can actually make things worse. Why? Because our bodies manufacture energising vitamin D from natural sunlight. When sunlight – specifically UVB rays – interacts with a cholesterol derivative in the skin, it initiates the production of Vitamin D3, which plays a vital role in energy production. Studies have also found that sunlight regulates our internal body clock, helping to stimulate more of the calming hormone serotonin, which can ease feelings of irritation after too little sleep. Whether it's walking the dog in the park or taking a quick stroll to your local coffee shop, a dose of morning sunlight could make all the difference to how you feel during the day. Napping at the wrong time of day or napping for too long can backfire, so if you're desperate for a quick sleep, you'll need to time your naps properly. Following a study exploring napping as a strategy to keep pilots alert throughout their shifts, space agency NASA determined that the ideal length for a nap is 26 minutes. The researchers concluded that this exact amount of sleep could minimise the effects of inertia while avoiding the groggy feeling you often get from longer nap times. The 1995 study found that participants who napped for 26 minutes experienced up to a 54% increase in alertness and a 36% increase in job performance. Carbs are our bodies' main source of energy, so skipping out on bread, pasta, fruits and vegetables when you're already tired could be making things much worse. That said, not all carbs are made equal. Simple carbs, like French fries, sugary cereal and doughnuts, are made from just one or two sugar molecules, so your body can easily break them down and absorb them. While you might get an initial energy boost from these tasty treats, you'll typically come crashing down and feel worse than when you started. Complex carbs are your best option when you're short on sleep. They have more sugar molecules and fibre than simple carbs, so they take longer to break down, giving you a slow release of energy throughout the day. Good examples of complex carbs include: vegetables like sweet potatoes and butternut squash breakfast oats wholegrains like quinoa cheap and cheerful fruits such as apples and frozen berries Read more about sleep: How to stop scrolling in bed as night-time phone use linked to insomnia (Yahoo Life UK, 4-min read) Tips for a better night's sleep as bad rest linked to memory loss (Yahoo Life UK, 8-min read) Lifting weights and 12 other ways to sleep better as you age (Yahoo Life UK, 6-min read)
Time of India
16-07-2025
- Health
- Time of India
This is how you can increase mushroom's vitamin D content
Mushrooms are a nutritious and versatile food, often added to soups, salads, stir-fries, and even sandwiches. They are packed with essential nutrients such as fiber, antioxidants, and vitamins. One vitamin that many people don't realize mushrooms can provide is Vitamin D. However, most store-bought mushrooms typically contain very low levels of this important nutrient. But there's a simple trick that can significantly boost the vitamin D content in mushrooms—exposing them to sunlight. Understanding the Role of Vitamin D in Mushrooms Vitamin D is an essential nutrient that helps the body absorb calcium, promotes bone health, and supports the immune system. It's primarily obtained through sunlight exposure, as the skin synthesizes it when exposed to UV rays. While Vitamin D is found in certain foods, such as fatty fish, fortified dairy products, and eggs, mushrooms are one of the few plant-based sources of Vitamin D. However, the form of Vitamin D found in mushrooms is different from the one our bodies produce when exposed to sunlight. Mushrooms naturally contain Vitamin D2 (ergocalciferol), while human skin produces Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol), which is the more effective form in raising blood levels of the vitamin. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Secure your family's future! ICICI Pru Life Insurance Plan Get Quote Undo Nonetheless, Vitamin D2 still has health benefits, and the amount of Vitamin D in mushrooms can be significantly increased with a simple trick. Sunlight Exposure Mushrooms, like humans, have the ability to produce Vitamin D when exposed to ultraviolet (UV) light. The same way our skin produces Vitamin D when exposed to sunlight, mushrooms can synthesize it under UV light. This process is natural and very similar to how plants use sunlight for photosynthesis. By exposing mushrooms to sunlight or UV light after they've been harvested, you can significantly boost their Vitamin D content. Here's how it works: Mushrooms and UV Light: When mushrooms are exposed to UV rays (like sunlight), they begin to produce more Vitamin D2. This happens because UV light converts ergosterol, a compound found in the cell walls of mushrooms, into Vitamin D2. Optimal Exposure: To get the best results, mushrooms should be exposed to direct sunlight or a UV light source for a few hours. Even just 15 to 30 minutes of exposure can increase the Vitamin D levels in mushrooms by a significant amount. How to Increase Vitamin D in Mushrooms at Home If you're growing your own mushrooms or buying fresh ones, here's how you can increase their Vitamin D content at home: Choose the Right Mushrooms: Start with mushrooms that have the potential to increase their Vitamin D content. Most common varieties, such as white button mushrooms, cremini, and portobello, can be enhanced with UV exposure. However, some specialty mushrooms (like shiitake) may already contain higher levels of Vitamin D before exposure. Expose to Sunlight: Once you have your mushrooms, place them with their gills facing up in direct sunlight for about 15 to 30 minutes. Ideally, this should be done during the midday hours when the sun is strongest. You'll notice that the caps of the mushrooms will face upward to absorb the UV light, helping them produce more Vitamin D.
