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10 signs of Vitamin D deficiency
Written by: Editors
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A study conducted by the Dutch RIVM (National Institute of Public Health and the Environment) has revealed that 50 percent of adults aged 50+ are deficient in Vitamin D. Vitamin D deficiency is also common in young children. Sunlight is the primary source of Vitamin D. The body creates this vitamin from direct sunlight on the skin. Studies show that low circulating Vitamin D levels are associated with an increased risk of prostate cancer, breast cancer and colon cancer. So it's essential to spot the signs of Vitamin D deficiency early!
Vitamin D helps the body absorb calcium and phosphorus from food. The body needs these nutrients for building and maintaining healthy bones and teeth. A low Vitamin D level can negatively affect immune function and cause osteoporosis and muscle weakness.
10 Vitamin D deficiency symptoms
Vitamin D deficiency can lead to various symptoms. The 10 symptoms below could be a sign that your levels of Vitamin D are too low. If you have any of these symptoms, you should see your GP promptly. Your GP can order tests to check your Vitamin D levels to see if you're deficient.
1. Chronic fatigue
In the short term, Vitamin D deficiency can cause you to feel tired and worn out. The winter blues can also be a sign of a Vitamin D deficiency.
2. Lethargy
The symptoms of Vitamin D deficiency can be vague. Some people complain of a general feeling of listlessness or lack of energy, and it's often difficult to pinpoint the cause. Long-term Vitamin D deficiency can even lead to depression.
3. Muscle weakness
Vitamin D plays an important role in muscle function. A deficiency of Vitamin D can result in muscle weakness.
4. Muscle and joint pain
When you don't get enough Vitamin D, you may experience aching in your muscles and joints, even without exercise or strain. The loss of muscle tissue places increased stress on joints, which causes these symptoms.
5. Bleeding gums
Vitamin D deficiency can affect gum health. If you have bleeding gums despite good oral hygiene habits, then this could be a sign that your Vitamin D is low.
6. Osteoporosis
Vitamin D and calcium work in tandem to support bone and tooth health. Vitamin D stimulates the conversion of calcium for optimal skeletal health. The long-term consequences of Vitamin D deficiency are bone loss. This increases the risk of osteoporosis and fractures.
7. Anxiety
Vitamin D is as vital for mental health as it is for physical health. Low Vitamin D levels can cause stress and anxiety.
8. Hyperventilation
There seems to be a link between Vitamin D deficiency and hyperventilation. If you suffer from hyperventilation and don't know what is causing it, ask your GP to measure the levels of Vitamin D in your blood.
9. Heart problems
Low vitamin D levels may increase the risk of a heart attack. This is because Vitamin D deficiency is associated with coronary artery disease. A low Vitamin D level may also make you more likely to have high blood pressure.
10. Rickets
A lack of Vitamin D is the most common cause of rickets. Rickets is a condition that affects bone development in children. It causes soft, weak bones that can lead to bone deformities.
How to prevent and treat Vitamin D deficiency
The best way to treat a Vitamin D deficiency is to get more Vitamin D. And, of course, prevention is better than cure.
A good method to get a healthy amount of Vitamin D is to eat foods that are high in Vitamin D. Fatty fish (salmon, mackerel and herring), butter, meat and eggs are all good sources.
Another thing you can do is get out in the sun more often. (Make sure you wear sunscreen in summer!)
If you cannot get enough Vitamin D from the sun or your diet, you can choose to take Vitamin D supplements. Taking a daily Vitamin D supplement is recommended to prevent health problems and symptoms. This is especially advised for infants and young children, elderly people, pregnant women, and people who do not get out enough or have dark skin.
Light therapy can also help with Vitamin D deficiency. Vitamin D forms in the skin when it is exposed to UV-B radiation from the sun, the main rays that cause sunburns and most skin cancers.
Tanning beds filter out most UV-B rays. Light therapy lamps, on the other hand, emit UV-B light at therapeutic levels to stimulate Vitamin D generation naturally in the body. However, convincing evidence of their efficacy has yet to be found.
What has been shown to be beneficial is to spend time outdoors and exposure yourself to sunlight – not only in terms of Vitamin D production but also for your general health.