– Eating fish and being outside is part of my lifestyle, so I never thought about it before I moved here, says Joanna Reyes. She is originally from the USA, but has established herself in Kristiansand. She took a medical check when she came to Norway, and was told that she had to take a supplement of vitamin D. – In the US we have normal amounts of sun, so I never thought that it was something I had to get a prescription. Together with her friends Joss and Ezdie Voloanes, she sits and sunbathes in Kristiansand. Ezdie Voloanes has just moved to Norway from Mexico, and received the same message as his girlfriend. – When the days get short without so much sun, then I start to feel a little down and without energy, she says. The three friends are out in the sun a lot and eat fish – but still have to take vitamin D supplements due to little sun in Norway in the winter. Photo: Hedda Federici / news Over 200 percent increase Sales of vitamin D have skyrocketed in recent years. From 2015 to 2021, the increase in sales of prescription vitamin D supplements has been over 200 percent for all age groups. It shows figures from the Pharmacy Association. The largest increase is in the age group 0-19 years. There is an increase of 362 percent. – We know that there has been a large increase in the use of vitamin D supplements. Both what is bought without a prescription and what is printed on prescription, says Marte Kvittum Tangen. She is the leader of the Association for General Practice (NFA), and believes many take vitamin D supplements unnecessarily. – Even though many in Norway get lower values in the winter, it is not dangerous or serious. It is common to have a deficiency of vitamin D in Norway, especially in the winter. One source of vitamin D is sunlight, which is lacking here in the north. – It is good advice to everyone that in months with the letter riding, you should take trant supplements to get vitamin D. In addition, a varied and healthy diet is important. Marte Kvittum Tangen (NFK) does not recommend taking high-dose vitamin D supplements unless one is in the risk group. Photo: The Norwegian Medical Association Not necessary for most people Lack of vitamin D can have consequences, but Kvittum Tangen still believes that it is not necessary to take a blood sample to check the vitamin D content. – There is no need to take more supplements or medications than you need. It costs money, is unnecessary and it can also be dangerous to take too much vitamin D. Some may still need extra supplements, she says. This applies, for example, to patients with chronic diseases of the musculoskeletal system, diseases that result in reduced uptake or who have osteoporosis. The NFA has encouraged Norwegian general practitioners to take fewer vitamin D samples, and to be careful about requesting high-dose vitamin D supplements. Nevertheless, the tests and the use of grants have skyrocketed. Sun is an important source of vitamin D, and it can therefore be difficult to get enough exposure in the winter in Norway. Photo: Hedda Federici / news Both too much and too little can have consequences People with a lack of vitamin D do not always get symptoms. However, if you live with a lack of vitamin D for a long time, this can go beyond the skeleton and muscles. In the extreme, a lack of vitamin D can lead to osteoporosis. At the same time, it is not good to take too many vitamin D supplements. It can actually be dangerous. news has previously written about poisoning as a result of this. Unless you are in the risk group, Tangen advises people not to take subsidies. Taking too many vitamin D supplements can lead to electrolyte disturbances. Norway at the top of the world NFA sees an increase in people who lack vitamin D, but this may also be due to more samples being taken. A symptom of long-term vitamin D deficiency is osteoporosis. Norway is at the top of the world when it comes to this disease. However, the professional group for osteoporosis and bone health sees no increase in the number of patients with osteoporosis. – The figures from the Pharmacy Association are probably rather a result of increased awareness about it. Osteoporosis is stable, says leader of the professional group, Lene B. Solberg. It takes many years before a lack of vitamin D can be seen as an increased incidence of osteoporosis.
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Huge increase in the use of vitamin D supplements – news Sørlandet – Local news, TV and radio
