Vitamin D Supplement Warning After Hospitalizations in Spain

Health authorities in Spain have issued an urgent alert after 16 people were hospitalized with hypervitaminosis D, a condition caused by excessive vitamin D intake. The affected individuals, all previously healthy, consumed defective multivitamins purchased online without medical supervision. Symptoms included abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and in severe cases, acute kidney failure.

The Spanish Ministry of Health emphasized that supplements should only be taken under medical guidance, as unsupervised use can lead to dangerous side effects. The defective batch was initially traced to the Balearic Islands but may have been distributed elsewhere. High doses of vitamin D can cause calcium buildup, damaging kidneys, heart, and bones.

In the UK, the NHS advises against exceeding daily vitamin D limits (100 mcg for adults, 25 mcg for infants). Nutrition experts warn that fat-soluble vitamins like D can accumulate in the body, leading to long-term harm. A recent survey found 75% of Britons take supplements, often without knowing their actual needs.

vitamin Dsupplementshealth warninghypervitaminosiskidney damageSpainnutritionoverdosesafetyNHS