When your body doesn’t produce enough vitamin D, you have vitamin D deficiency, which mostly affects your bones and muscles.
Your body demands vitamin D in order to maintain and develop your bones normally. Additionally, vitamin D benefits your immune system, musculoskeletal system, and nervous system.
In this article, we will discuss all aspects of vitamin D deficiency, including who is at risk and how its shortage can adversely impact on our lives.
Vulnerable groups prone to Vitamin D deficiency
Vitamin D is an essential nutrient that is crucial for maintaining bone health, boosting the immune system, and controlling a number of body processes.
However, due to a number of reasons, some populations are more vulnerable to vitamin D insufficiency. Let’s examine the vulnerable populations and the factors that make them susceptible:
Older people
Older persons are more likely to develop vitamin D deficiency because the capability of the skin to produce vitamin D decreases with age.
People with limited sun exposure
People with minimal sun exposure include those who are housebound, those who cover their heads or wear long robes due to religious reasons, and individuals with occupations that restrict sun exposure. These populations are unlikely to get enough vitamin D from sunlight.
Surgical procedures
The ability to absorb enough of the fat-soluble vitamin D is typically compromised in those who have undergone bariatric surgery(due to altered digestive processes).
Individuals with dark skin
Darker skin is caused by increased melanin levels in the epidermal layer of the skin, which also hinder vitamin D synthesis from sunlight. For instance, Black Americans frequently have lower serum 25(OH)D levels than White Americans.
Some medical conditions cause low levels of Vitamin D
A lack of vitamin D can result from a number of medical disorders, including:
- Cystic fibrosis
- Crohn’s disease
- Celiac disease
- Obesity
- Kidney disease
- Liver disease:
Medications cause Vitamin D deficiency
Vitamin D levels can be decreased by some drugs, including:
- Laxatives.
- steroids, including prednisone.
- medications that decrease cholesterol (such as colestipol and cholestyramine).
- medications that prevent seizures (such as phenobarbital and phenytoin).
- Rifampin.
- Orlistat.
People with limited dietary intake
Those with inadequate consumption of vitamin D-rich foods like fatty fish, fortified dairy, and egg yolks can be prone to deficiency.
Key signs and symptoms to recognize Vitamin D deficiency
Certainly, there are key signs and symptoms that can help recognize vitamin D deficiency:
- Bowed or bent bones that cause improper growth patterns.
- Lack of strength in the muscles.
- Bone pain.
- Joint abnormalities.
- Fatigue.
- Weakness, pains, or cramps in the muscles.
- Changes in mood, such as depression.
How has vitamin D deficiency ruined your life?
A lack of vitamin D can have a major and negative effect on several aspects of your life. Here’s how it can potentially disrupt your well-being.
Ailments linked to Vitamin D deficiency
1- Osteoporosis
According to Harvard Medical School, one of vitamin D’s principal functions is to maintain bone health. Low vitamin D levels can weaken bones and raise the risk of bone-related issues like osteoporosis, fractures, and even persistent bone pain.
2- Cardiovascular illness
In order to control several elements of cardiovascular health, vitamin D is essential. It affects the proliferation of vascular cells, inflammatory and fibrotic pathways, as well as the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, which in turn affects blood pressure.
Vitamin D deficiencies can cause problems such as vascular dysfunction, arterial rigidity, left ventricular hypertrophy, and increased lipid levels. These factors raise the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD).
3- Rickets
According to the American Family Physicians, rickets, a disorder that causes softening and weakening of the bones in youngsters, can result from either parental inheritance or prolonged vitamin D insufficiency (referred to as nutritional rickets).
Medical experts realized in the late 19th century that cod liver oil, which is high in vitamin D, efficiently prevents and treats rickets in youngsters.
4- Dementia
Elderly persons with moderate and severe vitamin D insufficiency had a doubled chance of developing several types of dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease. Dementia adversely affects day-to-day activities through a decline in thinking ability, behaviors, and memory.
5- Depression
According to a study, having low vitamin D levels raises the chance of developing depression.
6- Urinary tract infections
Vitamin D helps our bodies produce natural antibiotics, which helps us prevent infections. Particularly in girls, a vitamin D deficiency raises the incidence of urinary tract infections (UTIs). Notably, individuals with UTIs also have low vitamin D levels. Women with recurrent UTIs had lower levels of vitamin D compared to those without such illnesses, according to a 2013 study published in the International Journal of Infectious Diseases.
7- Loss of teeth and gum disease
Vitamin D is necessary for healthy teeth and gums because it aids in the body’s absorption of calcium. Furthermore, unbalanced vitamin D levels weaken teeth, increasing the likelihood of cavities, fractures, and rotting.
8- Increased cancer risk
Research suggests that vitamin D deficiency might elevate the risk of certain types of cancer. Adequate vitamin D levels are associated with a reduced likelihood of developing certain cancers, including colorectal, breast, prostate, and pancreatic cancers.
What can You do to prevent a vitamin D deficiency?
Make sure you consume enough vitamin D in your diet because it is the greatest method to prevent vitamin D deficiency.
Sources of Vitamin D
The best time to take Vitamin D With food
A fat-soluble vitamin is vitamin D. It does not dissolve in water, thus. When you ingest vitamin D along with healthy fats like avocados, almonds, eggs, and seeds, your body will absorb it more effectively.
Vitamin D first thing in the morning
Taking vitamin D first thing in the morning has many advantages. The main advantage is that you won’t forget about it later if you do it right away. You won’t have to worry about remembering to take your vitamin D if you keep it in a location where you can easily access it.
Additionally, if you take other supplements, it could be a good idea to take them separately from vitamin D and at a different time of day. For instance, taking magnesium at night may make more sense because it plays a crucial function in muscle contractions, which improves muscle health.
Conclusion
Vitamin D deficiency refers to insufficient levels of this essential nutrient in the body. It can cause a variety of health problems, including weakening bones, impaired immune systems, emotional disorders, and an increased risk of developing certain illnesses. Adequate sunlight exposure, dietary intake, and supplementation can help prevent and address this deficiency.
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Sources
https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminD-HealthProfessional/
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0002916523235935?via%3Dihub