Does Vitamin D Cause Constipation? | Vitamin D Constipation

Medically reviewed on August 1, 2022 by Jordan Stachel, M.S., RDN, CPT. To give you technically accurate, evidence-based information, content published on the Everlywell blog is reviewed by credentialed professionals with expertise in medical and bioscience fields.

Table of contents

• How can vitamin D affect bowel movements?
• Are there other vitamins that might contribute to constipation?
• What other side effects might come with vitamin D?
• Get in tune with your vitamin D levels with Everlywell

Ensuring that you get enough vitamin D in your daily diet can help support immune health, cellular growth, and bone development. [1] While some opt for fortified foods like milk and cereals for their daily dose of vitamin D, others opt to take supplements.

Can you take too much vitamin D? Yes, you can and it can potentially harm your gastrointestinal tract, which may lead to nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, or constipation.

How can vitamin D affect bowel movements?

So, does vitamin D cause constipation? Not exactly, but constipation is often a side effect of too much vitamin D. You might be wondering “How much vitamin D should I take?” It is generally recommended to have 400 to 800 IU daily. To help you understand how vitamin D intake is related to your bowel movements, let’s break down some facts about vitamin D and your body: [1]

• Vitamin D is fat soluble – Vitamin D is a fat soluble vitamin. This means it’s absorbed with dietary fats. From there, vitamin D is stored in your liver and other fatty tissues. A fat soluble vitamin is excreted like water-soluble vitamins. Therefore, if you get too much of a fat soluble vitamin it’s stored in your body.
• Hypercalcemia – Is vitamin D good for bones? When you consume the right amount, vitamin D does its job—helping your body with calcium absorption for strong bones. When you get too much calcium intake, it builds up in your bloodstream. This is known as hypercalcemia.
• Digestive problems – Hypercalcemia can lead to a host of digestive problems. You might experience nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Others experience the opposite end of the spectrum—constipation. If left untreated, more serious problems can occur, including renal failure and even death.

Can the right amount of vitamin D keep your digestive system on track?

While you don’t want to go overboard on vitamin D supplementation, the right amount can help keep your digestive system humming along optimally. [2] In fact, a study of 86 patients who suffered from chronic constipation found that vitamin D deficiency was one of the key contributors to their digestive troubles.

The World Journal of Gastroenterology proposed that potential links between vitamin D and chronic constipation could be tied to the increase in inflammation and poor immune response that may accompany vitamin D deficiency.

Are there other vitamins that might contribute to constipation?

A toxic amount of vitamin D might not cause your constipation. There are other vitamins that can contribute to gastrointestinal problems as well. These may include: [3]

• Calcium – While some people can take calcium supplements without any problems, others find they experience an increase in gastrointestinal problems, including constipation, bloating, gas, and stomach cramps when taking calcium. If you’re taking both calcium and vitamin D supplement, the combination of these two might cause you some stomach distress.
• Iron – Iron supplements are also known to cause gastrointestinal problems. Iron can be difficult to digest when taken in supplement form and constipation is a common symptom associated with excess iron. Your healthcare provider may recommend a stool softener to relieve the discomfort caused by an iron supplement.

Constipation may also derive from causes outside of diet and supplement intake, such as:

• Dehydration
• Certain medications
• Insufficient dietary fiber intake
• Stress
• Lack of exercise
• Genetic predisposition
• Colon problems

You should always consult with your healthcare provider if you’re experiencing constipation. They can rule out more serious issues and help you mitigate gastrointestinal discomfort.

What other side effects might come with vitamin D?

Constipation isn’t the only side effect associated with toxic vitamin D intake. In addition to gastrointestinal distress, excessive vitamin D intake may also lead to:

• Loss of appetite
• Excessive thirst and dehydration
• Frequent urination
• Muscle weakness
• Pain
• Confusion
• Kidney failure
• Irregular heartbeat
• Death

On the other hand, too little vitamin D can also lead to: [4]

• Bone deformities in children
• Bone aches
• Muscle weakness

Get in tune with your vitamin D levels with Everlywell

Your body requires a delicate balance of vitamins to function optimally. Too much or too little of necessary nutrients, such as vitamin D, can cause significant health problems.

That being said, when you intake excess or toxic levels of vitamin D, you may experience constipation, in addition to other digestive problems, loss of appetite, and muscle weakness.

If you’re uncertain if your vitamin D levels are where they should be, Everlywell can help. Our at-home Vitamin D Test is an easy and convenient way to check your vitamin D from the comfort of your home. Also note that you can now purchase vitamin D supplements directly from Everlywell. If you’re experiencing various bowel-related symptoms, consider taking an at-home colon cancer test.

Related content

Is vitamin D good for bones?

Can you take too much vitamin D?

How much vitamin D should I take?

References

1. VItamin D Fact Sheet. National Institutes of Health. URL. Accessed August 1, 2022.
2. Chronic Functional Constipation is Strongly Linked to Vitamin D Deficiency. World Journal of Gastroenterology. URL. Accessed August 1, 2022.
3. Chronic Constipation. Medicine. URL. Accessed August 1, 2022.
4. Vitamin D. National Institutes of Health. URL. Accessed August 1, 2022.

Chronic functional constipation is strongly linked to vitamin D deficiency

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Can taking vitamin D cause constipation?

Elevated levels of vitamin D and calcium in the body can contribute to some digestive problems such as stomach pain, constipation and diarrhea. . It can also be a sign of other health problems, so it’s important to let your doctor know if you’re taking any supplements.

At the same time, can vitamin D affect your bowel movements? If you take large doses of vitamin D, you may experience abdominal pain, loss of appetite, constipation or diarrhea. as a result of elevated calcium levels.

Briefly, what is remedy D for constipation? If you are constipated, the following quick treatments can help you have a bowel movement in just a few hours.

• Take fiber supplements. …
• Eat foods to relieve constipation. …
• Drink a glass of water. …
• Take a laxative. …
• Take an osmotic laxative. …
• Try a laxative lubricant. …
• Use a stool softener. …
• Give an enema.

Which vitamin stops constipation?

1. Magnesium. Magnesium plays a number of important roles in the body, and some forms of this mineral can help with constipation. For example, studies have shown that Magnesium Oxide, Magnesium Citrate and Magnesium Sulfate all improve the symptoms of constipation.

really, what are the symptoms of too much vitamin D?

The main consequence of vitamin D toxicity is a buildup of calcium in the blood (hypercalcemia), which can cause nausea and vomiting, weakness, and frequent urination. Vitamin D toxicity can progress to bone pain and kidney problems such as calcium stones.

Contents

Can vitamin D cause gas and bloating?

Unfortunately, very few food sources naturally contain this nutrient, which can make it difficult to meet your needs (23). If you’re vitamin D deficient, supplementing can be an easy way to increase your intake and potentially prevent bloating.

Can I take 10,000 IU of vitamin D3 per day?

The Endocrine Society Practice Guidelines recommend that up to 10,000 IU per day is safe for adults. This is in contrast to the recommended UL of XNUMX IU/day from IOM.

Can I take 5000 IU of Vitamin D3 every day?

So long-term vitamin D3 at doses between 5000 and 50,000 IU/day seems safe.

Is it better to take vitamin D every day or once a week?

Output. Daily vitamin D was more effective than weekly, and monthly was the least effective.

How soon will I feel better after taking vitamin D?

So, when it comes to treating vitamin D deficiency, how long does it take to feel better? Those with the lowest levels should feel better after just a few days, while those who only need to top up may have to wait a week or two before they begin to feel healthier and more energized.

Does vitamin D cause weight gain?

Vitamin D deficiency is unlikely to lead to weight gain. However, it may cause other health problems or unpleasant symptoms that should be avoided. You can maintain adequate vitamin D levels by combining limited sun exposure, a vitamin D-rich diet, and vitamin D supplements.

Bloating Tips

1. Stay hydrated. Drink water before, during, and after meals to reduce bloating by flushing out excess sodium, which can often lead to bloating.
2. Get some exercise.
3. Try yoga.
4. Try peppermint oil.
5. Massage your belly.
6. Digestive enzyme supplements.
7. Take an Epsom salt bath.

Can vitamin D3 cause constipation?

Constipation is a possible side effect of taking too much vitamin D3 (a form of D that the body makes when exposed to sunlight). According to the Office of Dietary Supplements of the National Institutes of Health, the maximum daily amount of vitamin D3 that people should consume is 1,000 to 1,500 IU for infants.

What is the difference between vitamin D and vitamin D3?

There are two possible forms of vitamin D in the human body: vitamin D2 and vitamin D3. Both D2 and D3 are simply referred to as “vitamin D”, so there is no meaningful difference between vitamin D3 and just vitamin D.

When should I take vitamin D, morning or evening?

The most important step is to include vitamin D in your daily routine and take it consistently to ensure maximum effectiveness. Try taking it with breakfast or bedtime snacks – as long as it doesn’t interfere with your sleep.

Is 10,000 units of vitamin D a lot?

The current recommended daily allowance for vitamin D is 600 IU per day for adults under the age of 70 and 800 IU for older adults. Up to 4,000 IU/day is generally considered a safe upper limit, however doses up to 10,000 IU/day do not cause toxicity.

Is there a downside to taking vitamin D?

Some side effects of taking too much vitamin D include weakness, dry mouth, nausea, vomiting, and others. Long-term vitamin D intake in excess of 4,000 IU (100 mcg) per day may not be safe and can result in very high blood calcium levels.

When should I stop taking vitamin D?

Do not take more than 100 mcg (4,000 IU) of vitamin D per day as this may be harmful. This applies to adults, including pregnant and lactating women and the elderly, as well as children aged 11 to 17 years. Children aged 1 to 10 years should not exceed 50 micrograms (2,000 IU) per day.

Can I take 1000 mg of vitamin D per day?

Current recommendations suggest 400–800 IU (10–20 micrograms) of vitamin D per day. However, people who need more vitamin D can safely consume 1,000–4,000 IU (25–100 mcg) per day. It is not recommended to consume more as it is not associated with any additional health benefits.

Does vitamin D3 cause constipation?

Constipation is a possible side effect of taking too much vitamin D3 (a form of D that the body makes when exposed to sunlight). According to the Office of Dietary Supplements of the National Institutes of Health, the maximum daily amount of vitamin D3 that people should consume is 1,000 to 1,500 IU for infants.

Does vitamin D reduce water retention?

Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) is said to help with mild fluid retention. Good sources of vitamin B6 are brown rice and red meat. Vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid), calcium and vitamin D help the body eliminate excess fluid. Include fresh fruits and low-fat dairy products in your daily diet.

Does vitamin D cause drowsiness?

The study was not designed to investigate causation. However, the authors’ previous and current research indicates that suboptimal vitamin D levels may cause or contribute to excessive daytime sleepiness, either directly or through chronic pain.

Can too much vitamin D make you tired?

Too much vitamin D in the body can cause an increase in calcium levels in the blood. This can lead to a condition called hypercalcemia (too much calcium in the blood). Symptoms include: fatigue.

How to make yourself fart?

Foods and drinks that can help a person fart include:

1. carbonated drinks and carbonated mineral water.
2. chewing gum.
3. dairy products.
4. fatty or fried foods.
5. fiber-rich fruits.
6. certain artificial sweeteners such as sorbitol and xylitol.

What is an endo belly?

Endo belly is a colloquial term for bloating caused by endometriosis. Unlike the brief bloating that sometimes accompanies menstruation, an endoscopic abdomen is much more serious and causes physical, mental, and emotional symptoms.

How do you debloat and poop?

It’s quite easy to change your lifestyle to get rid of constipation:

1. Leave enough time in the morning to take care of your bathroom needs. Do it, even if it means getting up a little earlier, Reynolds suggested.
2. Do not make drastic changes in your diet.
3. Drink plenty of fluids.
4. Include plenty of fiber in your diet.

Which deficiency causes constipation?

B12 deficiency can cause symptoms such as fatigue and constipation, and can even lead to permanent neurological damage if left untreated.

Can I take vitamin D3 every day?

Most experts recommend not taking more than 4,000 IU of vitamin D per day. When serum D3 levels are very low (less than 12 nanograms per milliliter), some may recommend a short weekly course of 50,000 IU of vitamin D2 or D3, followed by the usual dose of 600 to 800 IU per day.

Who should not take vitamin D3?

Who should not take VITAMIN D3?

• sarcoidosis.
• high amount of phosphates in the blood.
• high amount of calcium in the blood.
• excess amount of vitamin D in the body.
• kidney stones.
• decreased kidney function.

Should older people take vitamin D or vitamin D3?

My recommended daily dose of vitamin D for seniors

For most older people, I recommend an extra 1000 IU of vitamin D per day. I do this because: The American Geriatric Society (AGS) recommends that clinicians recommend that older patients take 1,000 IU/day of vitamin D to prevent fractures.

Constipation in children – causes, symptoms and treatment

Tiunova Elena

Published: 07/04/2023

Reading time: 10 minutes

1443

All parents experience constipation in a child at least once. It is especially difficult with babies: they still cannot tell what and where it hurts them, why they cry. It is difficult for a mother to determine whether the child is worried that he is lonely, hungry, cold – or he is tormented by his tummy. When breastfeeding, when the stool may be absent for 1-2 days for natural reasons, it is not at all clear whether it is already constipation or not, should you already start treating the baby or should you just wait? Let’s try to figure out in detail what to do if a child has constipation, and how to help him.

How to help a child with constipation

Constipation should not be ignored, hoping that the baby’s digestion will improve by itself. This condition always causes discomfort to the child. Note that constipation is not necessarily associated with infrequent stools. A child can poop every day, but at the same time strain, experience pain, and his feces will be formed and hard – and these are already signs of constipation. But if a baby suckles with appetite, sleeps soundly, actively plays and soils diapers, for example, in a day or two, this is most likely not constipation, but a feature of his digestion.

If you are not sure if your child’s stool is normal, be sure to consult your pediatrician. No need to do an enema, and even more so use “grandmother’s” recipes with soap and a thermometer for prevention – “just in case”. (By the way, there are no cases for a thermometer and soap at all, these methods are simply unacceptable!)
To help a baby with constipation, you need to understand what condition is no longer the norm and determine the reason why digestion failed. By eliminating it, you will save the child from the consequence – constipation.
On breastfeeding for a baby, the norm is yellow homogeneous mushy stools from 1-2 to 5-7 times a day. It should not contain an admixture of mucus and blood, only blotches of white curdled lumps are allowed. The smell should not be offensive, but just sour. In artificially fed children, the stool is denser and darker, as a rule, it happens less often: 1-3 times a day.

Change, that is, become more liquid or more dense, the stool of the baby of the first year can be in transitional periods when the child adapts to new conditions, in particular, to a new diet:

For example, constipation can be:

• In the first weeks of life;

• When switching to artificial feeding;

• When changing formula;

• During the introduction of complementary foods.

A variety of circumstances can cause constipation – from a banal mistake in diluting the mixture to congenital diseases of the digestive system. Among the most common reasons are:

• Lack of fluids, such as preparing a formula that is more concentrated than recommended, or introducing solid foods (for example, less water was used to make porridge to dilute it)
• Physical or psychological discomfort associated with defecation, including irritation skin around the anus with diaper dermatitis.
• Violation of the intestinal microflora due to past infection, taking antibacterial drugs can lead to a slowdown in peristalsis, that is, a slower movement of food through the intestines.
• Frequent uncontrolled use of enemas and certain drugs, such as enzymes or laxatives. All this disrupts the natural course of digestion: it slows down peristalsis, teaches the child to empty only after additional medicinal or mechanical action.
• Diseases not directly related to the digestive organs: rickets, hypothyroidism, iron deficiency anemia, etc. In the first month of a baby’s life, you need to feed on demand, and when a more or less stable regimen is established and before the introduction of complementary foods, breastfeed at intervals of no more than 3 hours during the day and 4-5 at night. For a bottle-fed child, you need to dilute the mixture according to the instructions, do not violate the proportions of the dry product and water.

  After the introduction of complementary foods, regardless of the type of feeding, it is necessary to offer additional water – in total per day, approximately in the amount of one feeding, that is, 150-200 ml. If the child is prone to constipation, then the first food should be vegetables, not cereals.
  Carefully monitor the cleanliness of the baby: wash instead of using wet wipes when changing a dirty diaper, if necessary, apply a diaper cream or baby powder. Don’t force yourself on the potty.

  If the baby poops less than once every 36 hours, and the baby is bottle-fed – not every day, if during the process the baby pushes hard or cries, if the feces are formed, hard – contact your pediatrician.

  The doctor will determine whether it is constipation or not and will advise how exactly to adjust the drinking regimen and nutrition in your situation, and if necessary, he will prescribe procedures and medications.

  Do not self-medicate. Constipation is not a harmless deviation, it can lead to serious health problems for the child.

  Tummy massage for newborns for constipation

  Tummy massage is effective for preventing and treating constipation. For prevention, it is enough to carry it out at least once a day and often lay the baby on the tummy. If constipation has already happened, then massage sessions should be performed 2-3 times a day.

  Do not massage a full belly. After a meal, 2 hours should pass, and an hour or at least 30 minutes should be left before a new meal.
  Before massage, calm the baby, play with him, so that the baby is in a good mood. If the child will cry and scream, which means straining the tummy, massage will not help.
  In order for massage movements to stimulate emptying, they must coincide with bowel movements during the digestion of food, the so-called peristaltic waves.

  How to massage the tummy:

  • Lay your baby on their back on a flat surface, such as a changing table. Make sure you have warm hands.

  • Do 5-6 circular strokes of the tummy in a clockwise direction.

  • Go to the opposite stroke. To do this, place the right hand on top of the baby’s left side of the abdomen, and the back of the left hand on the bottom of the right side. Then at the same time stroke the baby’s belly in different directions: move your right palm down, and lift the back of your left up. Repeat 5-6 times.

  • To work out the oblique muscles, it is necessary to stroke the lateral sections of the abdomen. Place both palms under the baby’s lower back, and then, in a wrapping, stroking motion, move your hands up and forward towards each other, connecting them above the navel. Do 5-6 repetitions.

  • Finish the massage again by stroking the belly in a clockwise direction with the same number of repetitions – 5-6 times.

  Does the mother’s constipation affect the baby while breastfeeding?

  Inaccuracies in the nutrition of a nursing woman can affect the digestion of the baby. To save the baby from constipation, his mother will have to revise her menu. What specific eating disorders can cause constipation?

  • lack of water: if a mother drinks little, then where does the body get the liquid to produce milk?
  • excess of foods with a fixative effect: rice, pasta, pastries, white bread, strong tea and coffee;
  • a lot of milk and dairy products. Constipation can be the result of intolerance or allergy to cow’s milk protein – the most common type of allergy in the first year of life
  • a woman’s diet is low in fiber.

  Rotavirus constipation

  Mothers tend to associate diarrhea with rotavirus rather than constipation. But rotavirus causes inflammation in the intestines and disrupts its functions during illness, so constipation in case of rotavirus infection is quite possible:

• an increase in temperature causes a large loss of moisture, the liquid can be absorbed in the body, including from feces, compacting them;
• The work of digestive enzymes during illness is disrupted, and the number of “harmful” (pathogenic and opportunistic) bacteria grows, because of this, intestinal motility may slow down.

Constipation in infants during the introduction of complementary foods

The introduction of complementary foods, that is, the transition to a qualitatively new type of food, often causes constipation, even if everything was in order with the digestion of the crumbs before. Complementary foods are recommended to be introduced into the baby’s diet in addition to breast milk or formula from 4 to 6 months. Mistakes in the introduction of complementary foods can cause constipation in the baby:

• If complementary foods are introduced before the age of 4 months, the infant’s digestion will not yet be able to cope with other foods besides breast milk or its substitutes.
• If complementary foods are introduced on time, but the consistency of the food is too thick, this can also cause constipation. Dense food will have difficulty moving through the still immature intestines. Of course, zucchini or broccoli puree is difficult to make too thick, but with porridge it is quite possible to miss. Make sure that at the beginning of the introduction of complementary foods, cereals are no thicker than liquid sour cream in consistency, and only then gradually transfer the baby to thicker food.
• Constipation can be caused by rice porridge as a first meal if the child is prone to constipation. For a baby with a dense physique, especially if he has a stool delay, you should choose vegetables to start complementary foods. Of the cereals, buckwheat or corn is the best for the first feeding. Do not forget that cereals at the beginning of complementary foods should be dairy-free and consist of one type of cereal.
• With the introduction of complementary foods, the baby begins to need additional fluids. Offer baby water in a bottle, cup, or sippy bowl throughout the day. Let him drink at least a sip. During the day, the volume of additional liquid should be approximately equal to what the baby eats in one feeding, this is about 150 – 200 ml. If water does not enter the baby’s body additionally, then it will be absorbed, including from the feces, which will become more dense and dry.

Teething constipation

No undesirable effects, from runny nose to fever, have been associated with teething. Constipation, like diarrhea, is also among these symptoms. Is it really?
Yes and no. In itself, teething from the gums, of course, does not cause constipation. However, itching and pain in the place where the tooth is cut disturb the baby, his appetite decreases and the temperature may even rise, which leads to an increased consumption of moisture. The baby eats and drinks worse, which means less poop. His stool may become dry and hard from lack of fluid.

Constipation from vitamin D3

Sometimes mothers notice constipation in babies when they start giving them vitamin D3 for prevention. This is more of a coincidence than a consequence of taking the vitamin, since taking the prophylactic dose prescribed by the pediatrician does not cause such an effect.
But an overdose of vitamin D3 can cause constipation. The fact is that vitamin D3 promotes the absorption of calcium in the intestines. In turn, excess calcium in the contents of the intestine leads to the formation of difficult-to-digest compounds that thicken the stool.
Do not violate the recommended dosage. With vitamins, as with other drugs, more is not better.

Psychosomatics for constipation

If the child is only a month old, he will not develop constipation of psychosomatic origin. The central and autonomic nervous systems must mature in order to fully regulate the functioning of the intestines.
Psychosomatics as the cause of constipation can be assumed in a child at the age of a year and a half or older, that is, at the time when they begin to teach him to the pot.
Constipation for psychosomatic reasons can occur if:

• the baby has already experienced pain during defecation and is afraid of its repetition, therefore, delays the stool;
• parents force the child to sit on the potty, but this is unpleasant and scary for him;
• parents scold or punish the child for soiled and wet pants;
• unfavorable emotional situation in the family, bad relations between parents, negative attitude towards the child;
• the child went to kindergarten or changed the children’s team. Constipation can be caused both by stress and by the fact that the baby is embarrassed to go to the pot in the presence of other children and other adults (caregivers, nannies).

Almost all children have constipation. For some, these are isolated cases, for others, they are regular. Parents should be aware of what can cause constipation and how to deal with it.

So

1. To help a child with constipation, first of all, a sufficient intake of liquid will help: in the form of an additional portion of water, both before and during the introduction of complementary foods. It is impossible to use medicines, enemas, folk remedies without a doctor’s prescription.

2. For the prevention and treatment of constipation, it is worth mastering the techniques of tummy massage: these are circular, counter stroking and stroking the lateral sections of the abdomen.

3. Constipation in the mother can cause the same indigestion in a breastfed baby.