How to Get Rid of Nausea from Vitamin D

October 28, 2025 •

4 min read

According to the NIH Office of Dietary Supplements, high levels of vitamin D in the blood (over 150 ng/mL) can cause nausea and vomiting. If you’re experiencing nausea from vitamin D supplements, it’s crucial to understand the underlying causes and how to address them safely and effectively.

Quick Summary

Several factors can cause nausea from vitamin D supplements, including high doses, taking them on an empty stomach, or underlying sensitivities. Simple adjustments to timing and dosage can resolve mild discomfort. Severe or persistent symptoms may indicate vitamin D toxicity, which requires medical attention. Optimizing supplement intake and monitoring your body's response are key steps for preventing nausea.

Key Points

Take with a meal containing fat: To improve absorption and reduce stomach irritation, always take your vitamin D supplement with a meal that includes some healthy fat.
Split your dosage: If taking a high dose, consider splitting it into smaller, more manageable amounts throughout the day to prevent overwhelming your digestive system.
Consider alternative forms: Switch from tablets to gummies, liquid drops, or a whole-food based supplement, as these may be gentler on a sensitive stomach.
Soothe with ginger or peppermint: For immediate relief from existing nausea, sip on ginger or peppermint tea or eat a light, bland snack.
Know the signs of toxicity: Persistent and severe nausea, coupled with symptoms like increased thirst or confusion, may indicate vitamin D toxicity and requires prompt medical attention.
Consult a healthcare provider: Always consult your doctor before starting or changing a supplement, especially if you have other health conditions or are taking medications.

Why Does Vitamin D Cause Nausea?

Experiencing nausea from your vitamin D supplement can be a frustrating side effect, but understanding its root cause is the first step toward finding relief. The issue is rarely a problem with the vitamin itself but rather how it is consumed or metabolized within the body. There are two primary reasons why vitamin D may cause digestive discomfort: toxicity and consumption habits.

Vitamin D Toxicity

Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin, meaning it is stored in the body's fat tissues rather than being excreted through urine like water-soluble vitamins. This storage can lead to a buildup if you take extremely high doses over an extended period. This condition, known as hypervitaminosis D or vitamin D toxicity, leads to an excessive accumulation of calcium in the blood (hypercalcemia). High calcium levels are the main culprit behind the symptoms of toxicity, which include:

Nausea and vomiting
Loss of appetite
Frequent urination and increased thirst
Muscle weakness and confusion
Kidney problems, including kidney stones

Improper Consumption Habits

For most people, nausea is not a sign of toxicity but a consequence of improper supplement consumption. This can be easily remedied with minor adjustments.

Taking supplements on an empty stomach: Vitamin D requires fat for optimal absorption. Taking a supplement without food, especially one with a high concentration, can irritate the stomach lining and trigger nausea.
High single doses: Some people take very high doses, either as a monthly mega-dose or a high daily amount, which can overwhelm the digestive system. A more gradual or split dosage is often easier for the body to process.
Individual sensitivity: Some individuals have more sensitive stomachs and are simply more prone to gastrointestinal upset from supplements.

Immediate Remedies to Stop Nausea

If you are currently experiencing nausea from a recent vitamin D dose, these immediate steps can help alleviate the discomfort:

Drink water and eat a light snack: Drinking water can help flush your system, while a small, bland snack like crackers or toast can settle your stomach.
Sip on ginger or peppermint tea: Both ginger and peppermint are known natural remedies for soothing an upset stomach.
Get some fresh air: Taking a walk or sitting outside can help distract your mind and ease the feeling of nausea.
Sit upright: Avoid lying down, as this can exacerbate acid reflux and worsen nausea.

Long-Term Strategies for Prevention

For a lasting solution, you need to adjust your supplement routine. These strategies focus on proper timing, dosage, and product selection to prevent future episodes of nausea.

The Importance of Timing and Food Pairing

Always take your vitamin D supplement with a meal that contains some fat. Since vitamin D is fat-soluble, pairing it with food like avocados, nuts, or healthy oils significantly improves absorption and reduces the likelihood of an upset stomach. If mornings are tough, try taking it with dinner instead.

Optimizing Dosage and Frequency

Splitting your dose can be very effective, especially for those on high-dose regimens. For example, instead of one large dose, you can take smaller amounts spread throughout the day. Always adhere to your doctor's recommended dosage and avoid exceeding the tolerable upper intake level (UL) of 4,000 IU per day for adults unless directed by a healthcare provider.

Choosing the Right Formulation

The form of your supplement can also impact how well it is tolerated. Consider these options:

Gummies: Often easier to digest than tablets due to their softer texture.
Liquid drops: These can be mixed into food or drinks, allowing for smaller, more controlled doses.
Natural whole-food based supplements: These are often gentler on the stomach due to their composition.

When to Contact a Healthcare Provider

While mild nausea is common, persistent or severe symptoms require a doctor's attention. This is especially true if you also experience other signs of hypercalcemia, such as:

Excessive thirst or frequent urination
Loss of appetite and unintended weight loss
Confusion or lethargy
Muscle weakness
Abdominal pain

Comparison of Vitamin D Supplement Forms


Feature	Tablets	Gummies	Liquid Drops
Digestibility	Can be hard on sensitive stomachs due to binders	Generally easier on the stomach	Easy to digest and mix with food
Absorption	Can be less efficient if not taken with fat	Good absorption, often with added sugars	High absorption, customizable dosage
Dosage Control	Pre-measured, less flexibility	Fixed dosage per piece	Highly flexible, easy to adjust
Ingredients	May contain fillers or binders	Often contains sugar and gelatin	Fewer additives, often oil-based
Best For	Those without a sensitive stomach	Children or adults who dislike swallowing pills	Sensitive individuals or those needing precise doses

Conclusion

For most people, getting rid of nausea from vitamin D is a matter of adjusting their routine by taking the supplement with food, choosing a more digestible form, or splitting the dose. However, persistent or severe nausea could indicate vitamin D toxicity and warrants a medical consultation. By listening to your body and making informed choices, you can continue to reap the benefits of vitamin D without the unwelcome side effect of an upset stomach.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, taking vitamin D on an empty stomach is a very common cause of nausea. Since it is a fat-soluble vitamin, it requires fat for proper absorption. Without food to help, it can irritate the stomach lining and cause an upset stomach.

Vitamin D toxicity, or hypervitaminosis D, is a rare but serious condition that occurs from excessively high supplemental intake. It leads to hypercalcemia, an over-accumulation of calcium in the blood, which can cause symptoms like nausea, vomiting, and confusion.

To improve absorption and prevent nausea, always take your vitamin D supplement with a meal containing fat. Pairing it with foods like nuts, seeds, avocados, or a spoonful of olive oil can make a significant difference.

If you feel nauseous right after taking a dose, try sipping on water, drinking ginger or peppermint tea, and eating a small, bland snack like crackers. It's also best to avoid lying down.

For individuals sensitive to supplements, a lower daily dose is generally better tolerated than a weekly mega-dose. Splitting the dosage can make it easier on your digestive system and prevent stomach upset.

Easier-to-digest formulations like liquid drops, gummies, or whole-food-based supplements are often better for those prone to nausea. They may contain fewer synthetic binders and can be mixed with food or drink.

While rare, severe and persistent nausea accompanied by other signs of hypercalcemia, such as excessive urination, muscle weakness, confusion, or severe abdominal pain, could indicate vitamin D toxicity and requires immediate medical attention.