Vitamin D is among the most discussed and sought-after vitamins known for its various health benefits. Known as a workhouse nutrient, it helps in strengthening bones and absorbs calcium to the fullest.

However, there are lots of misconceptions associated with the sunshine vitamin, prompting people to take larger doses than needed. Experts talk about vitamin D toxicity, which is life-threatening—and causes more problems instead of solving them.

Doctors say no vitamin or supplement is a cure-all. A few myths associated with vitamin D, and facts that you must know are:

On the contrary, doctors say excessive intake of vitamin D leads to serious health consequences and can also be fatal. According to the US dietary guidelines, from ages 19-70, you must take 15 mcg of vitamin D supplements.

However, an increasing number of people take more than the upper recommendation, which is potentially dangerous, causing symptoms like nausea, vomiting, frequent urination, weakness, bone pain, and kidney pain.

Even though there is a correlation between obesity and vitamin D, there is no scientific proof that taking the supplement can trim your waistline. According to studies, having sufficient vitamin D, though, may help people live healthier lives, which could in turn help a person lose weight. But you cannot depend on weight loss just on it.

You may be taking vitamin D supplements to smoothly run your immune system. It happens because it is thought that vitamin D mitigates the harmful inflammatory response of certain white blood cells, as well as increases the immune cells’ production of microbe-fighting proteins.

However, people also assume vitamin D can work as a potential COVID-19 prevention tool or therapy. There is not yet enough research to support this.

For maintaining good health, it is advised to get your vitamin D levels in the adequate range. According to experts, you would need 20–30 nanograms per millilitre of vitamin D in your blood. While there is no way to know if your levels are in that range without a test, that doesn’t make it necessary to get one, unless you notice symptoms of osteoporosis.

Doctors say it is becoming very common to test often but there is no need for widespread screening. It is also a good idea to talk to your doctor before you start supplementing.

For those trying to manage type 2 diabetes, it is a popular belief that adequate vitamin D levels can manage blood sugar as well.

However, there have been mixed results, so it is better to consult your doctor about the possibility of adding a vitamin D supplement to your diet for preventing or treating diabetes.

Those with critically low vitamin D levels are thought to be at increased risk for breast, colon, kidney, lung, and pancreatic cancers.

The most at-risk groups are individuals who are obese or have darker-pigmented skin and have lower levels of vitamin D but are not supplementing. There are various other factors that can also drive up the risk, which include an unhealthy diet and leading a sedentary lifestyle without regular exercise.

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