Health
Man dies after consuming too much vitamin D, experts warn of risks: 'Cascade of problems'
Amid reports of a U.K. man’s death from high amounts of vitamin D, experts are warning about the dangers of unsafe levels.
After 89-year-old David Mitchener died last year from hypercalcemia, a build-up of calcium in the body that is caused by excess levels of vitamin D, the Surrey assistant coroner released a report urging regulatory agencies to warn consumers about the risk of excessive intake.
Michener was admitted to East Surrey Hospital on May 10, 2023, and died 10 days later. Tests revealed that his vitamin D levels were at the maximum recordable level, according to the report from Jonathan Stevens, the assistant coroner.
COLOSTRUM SUPPLEMENTS ARE ALL THE RAGE, BUT ARE THE POTENTIAL BENEFITS WORTH THE RISKS?
Vitamin D toxicity was listed as one of the factors in Michener’s death, along with congestive heart failure, ischemic heart disease, chronic kidney failure and hypercalcemia.
“David Mitchener had been taking vitamin supplements for at least the preceding nine months,” the report stated.
Experts are warning about the dangers of unsafe levels of vitamin D after a U.K. man died of excessive consumption. (iStock)
The supplements he was taking did not have any warnings on or in the packaging detailing the specific risks or side effects, according to the report.
“Vitamin supplements can have potentially very serious risks and side effects when taken in excess,” Stevens, the assistant coroner, wrote.
“Current food labeling requirements do not require these risks and side effects to be written on the packaging.”
What is a safe level of vitamin D?
For healthy adults, 600 international units (IU) of vitamin D (15 mcg) per day is all that’s necessary, according to Pieter Cohen, associate professor of medicine at the Cambridge Health Alliance in Massachusetts.
“Usually, this can come from fortified foods and sunlight,” he told Fox News Digital.
Some foods that are high in vitamin D include orange juice, rainbow trout, salmon, portabella mushrooms, yogurt, tuna and milk, according to WebMD. (iStock)
Some foods that are high in vitamin D include orange juice, rainbow trout, salmon, portabella mushrooms, yogurt, tuna and milk, according to WebMD.
Healthy people should not be taking more than 4,000 IU (100 mcg) per day, Cohen advised.
“Taking more than that can cause a cascade of problems, as vitamin D acts as a hormone in the body and too much of it can lead to a number of issues,” he warned.
IMPROVING MEMORY MAY BE AS EASY AS POPPING A MULTIVITAMIN, STUDY FINDS: ‘PREVENTS VASCULAR DEMENTIA’
“Overdosages occur with taking much more — usually 60,000 international units a day or more.”
The amount of vitamin D required in the diet can also vary by age, according to Dr. Maryann Amirshahi, professor of emergency medicine at Georgetown University and co-medical director of the National Capital Poison Center in Washington, D.C.
“Vitamin D acts as a hormone in the body and too much of it can lead to a number of problems.”
“Smaller amounts (400 IU) are recommended in the first year of life,” she told Fox News Digital.
“For children older than 1 year of age, adolescents and most adults, 600 IU a day is recommended. The dose is the same for people who are pregnant or lactating.”
For older adults over age 70, an intake of 800 IU per day is recommended.
Dangerously high levels of vitamin D are almost always caused by consuming excessive amounts from dietary supplements, the NIH stated. (iStock)
“Higher doses are also recommended for individuals with vitamin D deficiency, with larger doses required for more severe deficiency,” Amirshahi added.
One common mistake is that some vitamin D prescriptions are dosed once a week, but people may accidentally take them daily, which can lead to toxicity, the doctor warned.
Symptoms of vitamin D overdose
Consuming too much vitamin D can lead to any number of symptoms that can be difficult to distinguish from other conditions.
These may include thirst, excessive urination and nausea, Cohen said — “but they can also be much more ominous, such as getting confused and becoming quite weak.”
HERBAL SUPPLEMENTS AND THEIR SIDE EFFECTS: HERE’S HOW TO STAY SAFE
The main effect of vitamin D in the body is that it increases calcium concentrations, according to Amirshahi.
“The signs and symptoms of vitamin D poisoning are similar to people who have elevated calcium concentrations for other reasons,” she said. “The symptoms of elevated calcium levels in the blood include confusion, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, frequent urination and dehydration.”
“Symptoms of elevated calcium levels in the blood include confusion, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, frequent urination and dehydration.” (iStock)
The National Institute of Health (NIH) warns that “very high levels of vitamin D in your blood (greater than 375 nmol/L or 150 ng/mL) can cause nausea, vomiting, muscle weakness, confusion, pain, loss of appetite, dehydration, excessive urination and thirst, and kidney stones.”
It adds, “Extremely high levels of vitamin D can cause kidney failure, irregular heartbeat and even death.”
Toxicity of a dose may vary depending on a variety of factors, such as underlying medical problems like kidney disease, Amirshahi noted.
VITAMIN D DEFICIENCY LINKED TO DEMENTIA IN CERTAIN POPULATIONS WHEN LEVELS ARE VERY LOW: STUDY
“Another important factor is how long an individual is taking large doses of vitamin D,” she said.
“Often, a single large dose (50,000 to 150,000 IU, depending on the size of the individual) is well-tolerated, but chronic overdose can be much more dangerous.”
Dangerously high levels of vitamin D are almost always caused by consuming excessive amounts from dietary supplements, the NIH stated on its website.
“Extremely high levels of vitamin D can cause kidney failure, irregular heartbeat and even death,” the NIH warned. (iStock)
“Vitamin D toxicity has been caused by consumption of dietary supplements that contained excessive vitamin D amounts because of manufacturing errors, that were taken inappropriately or in excessive amounts, or that were incorrectly prescribed by physicians,” according to the agency.
“You cannot get too much vitamin D from sunshine because your skin limits the amount of vitamin D it makes.”
Treatments for overdose
If someone has overdosed, the immediate treatment is to stop taking the vitamin and to restrict dietary calcium, according to Mayo Clinic.
Some doctors may also prescribe IV therapy and medications, including corticosteroids or bisphosphonates.
If someone has overdosed, some doctors may also prescribe IV therapy and medications, including corticosteroids or bisphosphonates. (iStock)
“We can give a dose of activated charcoal in the emergency department if someone took a large single dose of vitamin D to help bind it before it gets absorbed by the intestines,” said Amirshahi.
This is only helpful if the person comes in early and ingests a single large dose, however.
BE WELL: PREPARE A DINNER RICH IN VITAMIN D FOR GOOD HEALTH
“Once the vitamin D has been absorbed, the main treatment is to address the high calcium levels,” she said. “This could include administering intravenous fluids or giving medications that lower the calcium concentration.”
In severe cases when other measures don’t work, dialysis may be used to help remove the calcium.
Experts call for warnings
Because vitamin D is sold as a dietary supplement in the U.S., it is not approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
“Vitamin supplements can have potentially very serious risks and side effects when taken in excess,” one doctor said. “Current food labeling requirements do not require these risks and side effects to be written on the packaging.” (iStock)
“Supplements can be sold at almost any dose the manufacturer decides to use, and the manufacturer is not required to place warnings on even the highest doses of vitamin D that it is dangerous to take too much,” Cohen told Fox News Digital.
“Supplements are often poorly manufactured as well, and the dose on the label might not be accurate,” he warned.
“Research of vitamin D supplements in the U.S. has revealed that sometimes you can get too little or too much vitamin D in the pills.”
To help ensure the proper amount in each pill, Cohen recommends only purchasing vitamin D supplements that have been certified by either USP (United States Pharmacopeia) or NSF International.
Fox News Digital reached out to David Mitchener (the assistant coroner in Surrey) and East Surrey Hospital requesting additional comment.
For more Health articles, visit www.foxnews.com/health.
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
Summer fun in the sun is being taken to a new extreme.
“Tanmaxxing” is a social media trend that involves maximizing sun exposure and tanning the skin more intensely.
Popular among Gen Z, the practice combines time spent in direct sunlight with a variety of tanning products like oils, bronzers and gels.
POPULAR FRUIT MAY HELP PROTECT YOUR SKIN FROM THE SUN, NEW STUDY SUGGESTS
Creators on social media are showing off their dramatic tan lines and outdoor set-ups — some even forgoing sun protection or adding tanning bed sessions.
“Tanmaxxing” is trending on social media as a way of maximizing sun exposure. (iStock)
While spending time outdoors can help boost mood, support the body’s production of vitamin D and reduce screen time, dermatologists warn that excessive sun exposure — especially as promoted by the tanmaxxing trend — can be dangerous.
New York-based board-certified dermatologist Dr. Michael Tassavor, MD, emphasized that there is “no such thing as a safe, natural tan.”
CLICK HERE FOR MORE HEALTH STORIES
“Tanning is damage,” he said in an interview with Fox News Digital. “Tanfluencers sell a deep tan as a ‘wellness upgrade,’ but a tan isn’t a glow-up — it’s your skin’s visible distress signal that DNA damage has already happened.”
“As a skin cancer specialist, I’ve taken care of thousands of skin cancers on patients who ‘tanmaxxed’ before it had a name. Most regret it.”
Using a tanning bed before 35 years old can raise melanoma risk by about 75%, an expert warned. (iStock)
The World Health Organization classifies UV radiation and tanning beds as Group 1 carcinogens, which is the same category as tobacco and asbestos.
Using a tanning bed before age 35 can raise melanoma risk by about 75%, Tassavor noted.
TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ
“The damage compounds silently and shows up years later, once the easy window to intervene has closed,” he said.
According to Tassavor, two common beliefs behind tanmaxxing are false: Skipping sunscreen does not produce a “better” tan, and a base tan does not protect the skin from future sunburns.
“Most of your vitamin D can come from diet and supplements, and your skin is efficient enough to top up what it needs from ordinary incidental exposure,” a dermatologist said. (iStock)
Sunlight “isn’t the enemy,” the dermatologist noted, but there’s no need to chase it.
“Most of your vitamin D can come from diet and supplements, and your skin is efficient enough to [get] what it needs from ordinary incidental exposure,” he said.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
“Vitamin D matters for bone density, and sun does give some people a genuine mood lift, but there’s no evidence that anyone has to go out of their way to sunbathe for it, and no evidence that diligent sunscreen use harms bone health.”
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER
To safely expose yourself to the sun, Tassavor recommends using SPF 30 sunscreen and reapplying every two hours. Tanning beds should be avoided “entirely,” he cautioned, because there is “no safe dose” of UV exposure and using them accelerates skin aging.
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
The Great American State Fair was postponed Saturday after multiple people reportedly fainted the day before, forcing thousands of visitors to pivot during celebrations for America’s 250th anniversary.
Friday’s medical emergencies required onsite attention as crowds flocked to the nation’s capital for Independence Day.
The fair reopened later Friday evening but was postponed again Saturday.
HEART ATTACKS AND STROKES RISING WITH EXTREME WEATHER EVENTS, RESEARCH SUGGESTS
Fox News Digital asked attendees what it took to get to the capital and what they made of the closure.
“We are so blessed to live in the best country in the world,” Whitney Thomas, a mother from North Carolina who traveled with her family for the Great American State Fair, told Fox News Digital Friday.
An arch across the street from a 110-foot “Freedom 250” Ferris wheel during final preparations for the Great American State Fair on the National Mall June 22, 2026 in Washington, D.C. (Al Drago for The Washington Post via Getty Images)
Despite the weather closure, she said her family was able to enjoy the State Fair Thursday evening and planned to wait out the heat in nearby museums until the fair reopened.
“I wanted my kids, who are 9 and 10, to be able to experience this with us,” she said.
“You cannot tell me that America was won by shutting things down when it gets hot.”
Brad Shultis, a retired Marine who traveled from Stafford, Virginia, expressed frustration over the decision to halt festivities.
“You cannot tell me that America was won by shutting things down when it gets hot,” he told Fox News Digital.
FAMOUS LANDMARKS SLASH VISITING HOURS AS DEADLY HEAT WAVE THREATENS TOURISTS
“It gets hot, and we shut it down because it’s hot? Who cares? If it’s too hot, stay home.”
Shultis noted that he drove to Springfield and took the Metro just to be turned away right after buying lunch. He questioned the decision to shut down the celebration of America’s 250th anniversary, arguing that if people find the weather too hot, they should simply stay home or seek medical help rather than forcing a mass evacuation for those who spent time and money to get there.
Whitney Thomas brought her children with her from North Carolina to Washington to experience the historic event as a family. (Fox News Digital)
Wendy Lamb, who traveled eight hours from Connecticut with her family to support the state’s booth, noted that organizers were likely worried about the intense conditions and simply did not want visitors to suffer.
WHAT KILLED AMERICANS IN 1776? THE ANSWER IS DRAMATICALLY DIFFERENT FROM TODAY
While disappointed that her home state did not send official representation due to budget issues, Lamb and her fellow travelers refused to let the heat ruin their first trip to Washington, D.C.
“We’ve had a really, really fun time so far,” added John, another member of the group.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE HEALTH STORIES
He said they plan to navigate the heat by moving from museum to museum and using the Metro system to stay cool until the gates reopen.
For these visitors, the setback was minor compared to the emotional weight of seeing the U.S. Capitol and the Rotunda.
Judy drove with her family from Connecticut to support the state after officials withdrew support prior to the fair opening. (Fox News Digital)
“I mean, we are so fortunate we are free, and yet we have people out there that hate our country. … it’s very emotional,” said Pat Lamb, who fanned her face to stop tears welling in her eyes as she described the pride she felt for the nation.
The decision to close the fairgrounds aligns with severe weather protocols designed to prevent mass casualty medical events.
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, extreme heat can quickly impair the body’s ability to cool itself, causing internal temperatures to rise faster than they can dissipate.
TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ
When exposure to extreme conditions triggers a heat-related illness, symptoms can escalate rapidly from heat exhaustion — marked by heavy sweating, dizziness, nausea and fainting — to a life-threatening medical emergency, according to the CDC.
Brad Shultis, a veteran, was turned away just after lunch due to extreme heat at The Great American State Fair. (Fox News Digital)
The most severe risk is heat stroke, which occurs when the body’s cooling mechanism fails entirely, potentially driving core body temperatures to 103 degrees Fahrenheit or higher within minutes.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
To prevent severe complications like permanent organ damage or death, the CDC advises that anyone exhibiting warning signs such as confusion, slurred speech or a loss of consciousness should receive immediate medical treatment.
Public health officials urge individuals in high-heat environments to seek shade, stay heavily hydrated and identify air-conditioned cooling centers.
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
Many of the American colonists’ eating habits have made a comeback in recent years. They ate minimally processed, locally sourced whole foods and regularly incorporated organ meats into their meals.
Livestock and many Old World crops had already been introduced to North America by European explorers and settlers during the centuries before the nation’s founding.
Early settlers adapted European cooking traditions using ingredients available in North America, the Center for the Study of the Presidency and Congress (CSPC) reported.
Indigenous peoples introduced corn to the colonists, and it became a core ingredient in many of their recipes. Beans, squash, and potatoes were among the other crops that became incorporated into colonial cooking, according to the CSPC.
“Cornmeal appeared in dishes such as hasty pudding — a thick porridge similar to polenta — and johnnycakes, simple griddle cakes that were popular from New England to the South,” History Facts reported.
Cornmeal Johnnycakes, roast pork and cream cheese are distinctly early-American foods the CSPC has recipes for on its website.
Corn became a staple of early colonists’ diets after Indigenous peoples introduced the crop to the settlers and taught them how to cultivate it. (iStock)
Regional customs and crops greatly influenced what the colonists ate. Rice and okra grew well and were plentiful in the South, where French and African influences also shaped eating habits.
Dutch, English and German immigrants largely settled in the north and established the region’s culinary traditions.
Seafood such as rockfish and crab dominated the diets of early Maryland settlers, NPR reported.
Meat was a status symbol, local food historian Joyce White told the publication. Beef was prized, and chicken was often saved for egg production.
“If it’s your pig or cow coming from your plantation, you don’t want to waste it,” White said.
TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ
Thomas Jefferson was known for his decadent tastes and a fondness for French wine and macaroni and cheese. Records show that black-eyed peas, turnip greens and ham were also part of the Founding Father’s diet.
Salted and preserved fish and meats, including bacon, sausage, liver pudding and offal, were staples of working-class people’s diets, while the upper classes indulged in such luxuries as white flour and sugar.
Interest in these traditional foods has resurfaced in recent years as some Americans seek diets centered on whole, minimally processed ingredients.
Founding Father Thomas Jefferson was known for his continental tastes and enjoyed French wine and macaroni and cheese. (iStock)
Advocates of the Make America Healthy Again movement, for instance, have promoted organ meats, or offal, as some of the cheapest and most nutrient-dense foods people can eat.
Stews that evolved as ingredients became available were also common an America’s early days.
The amount of alcohol the colonists consumed was “staggering,” Adrian Miller, author of “The President’s Kitchen Cabinet,” told NPR.
“They were very open about how much they were drinking,” he said.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE LIFESTYLE NEWS
George Washington wrote a recipe for “small beer” in a journal he kept as a young colonel in charge of the Virginia militia during the Seven Years’ War, Fox News Digital previously reported. The New York Public Library houses the journal.
“Small beer,” according to the library, derives its name from the small amount of alcohol it contains. It was quick to make, safer to drink because the brewing process helped eliminate bacteria in the water — and it was an “everyday, mainstay beverage,” the library reported.
“While the 1776 Diet has some positives — such as emphasizing whole foods, home cooking and fewer ultra-processed foods — it’s not one I’d recommend following too literally,” registered dietician Lisa R. Young, adjunct professor of nutrition at New York University, told Fox News Digital.
Working-class colonists would often save chickens for their eggs, rather than consuming their meat. (iStock)
“Colonial Americans often ate foods like salted ham, organ meats and other preserved meats out of necessity,” she said. “Today, we know it’s best to limit processed and cured meats because they’re high in sodium and saturated fat, and organ meats, while nutrient-dense, are best eaten in moderation due to their high cholesterol content.”
Focus on the healthiest aspects of the 1776 diet, Young recommended. That includes plenty of fruits and vegetables, beans, whole grains, fish and lean proteins.
“Of course, you can emulate the Founding Fathers’ diet for the week of the 250th anniversary,” she said. “What you eat for a day or a week won’t matter much in the scheme of things.”
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
Some of the Founding Fathers drank a lot of ale, often in the morning, Young noted.
“We shouldn’t emulate that,” she said.
-
Iowa2 minutes ago14-year-old Dyersville girl dies in July 4 Clear Lake watercraft crash
-
Kansas5 minutes agoPolice in Kansas City, Missouri, investigate Sunday night homicide
-
Kentucky10 minutes ago1 missing, 4 injured in Fourth of July boating collision on Kentucky lake
-
Louisiana17 minutes agoLouisiana State Police Detectives Investigating Shreveport Police Department Officer-Involved Shooting
-
Maine20 minutes agoOne dead, another injured in Madison ATV crash
-
Maryland25 minutes agoMan killed, another injured in shooting at Maryland house party, described as
-
Michigan32 minutes agoRain chances linger into Monday across Southeast Michigan
-
Massachusetts35 minutes agoMotorcyclist flown to hospital after crash in Groton on Fourth of July
