Vitamin-D Deficiency: Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

Vitamin D Deficiency is a serious health problem worldwide. Vitamin D is the most important vitamin in our body. It is a fat-soluble vitamin that helps maintain and retain calcium and phosphorus in bones and strengthens them. It also helps absorb calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium from the gut when taken in conjunction with a balanced diet. Some researchers have also found that vitamin D plays a crucial role in maintaining strong immunity, helps protect against certain types of cancer, promotes mental health by enhancing mood, and improves gut, breast, and prostate health.

Furthermore, a good diet and pharmacological supplements treat and prevent vitamin deficiency.

What are the different forms of vitamin D?

Depending upon the source, vitamin D is divided into two forms.

Ergocalciferol ( Vitamin D2): This form of vitamin D comes from plant sources.

   Calciferol (Vitamin D3): This form primarily comes from animal sources, including human skin.

What are the symptoms of vitamin D deficiency?

Symptoms of vitamin D deficiency include:

Bone Pains: Bone pain is one of the initial and typical symptoms of vitamin D deficiency. Joints, especially the knee and hip joints, have dull pain. However, some people complain of ankle joint Pain with lower vitamin D levels.

Muscle Aches: People with low levels of vitamin D have muscle aches.

Depression /low Mood or Sadness: Researchers found that people with severely low levels of vitamin D are at high risk of developing depression and having low mood. Vitamin D helps in the synthesis of neurotransmitters.

Poor Memory: Studies also found that people with low vitamin D levels have poor memory compared to people with normal levels.

 Fatigue and Weakness: Vitamin deficiency results in weak bones, and weak bones result in overall weakness in the body.

Sleep Problems: Studies suggest that People with low vitamin D levels have sleep problems. Furthermore, people with low-quality sleep or sleep disorders get improved sleep with vitamin D supplementation.

Hair Loss: Vitamin D helps and stimulates hair follicle growth. Low vitamin D in the body causes poor hair growth and hair loss. Moreover, it also causes alopecia areata (skin patches). So, people with sudden hair fall must check their vitamin D levels and get vitamin D supplements to stop hair fall.

Vitamin D and Gut Microbes: People with lower vitamin levels suffer from recurrent colitis. However, Vitamin D helps in maintaining normal gut flora. Lower levels of it lead to a disbalance between normal gut flora, leading to colitis.

Vitamin D and Skin: People with lower vitamin D levels have a flaky, dry, and dull complexion. Moreover, people with low vitamin D levels often experience urticaria, a type of allergic reaction characterized by red, itchy patches. However, people with recurrent urticaria should check their vitamin D levels.

 Causes of Vitamin-D Deficiency:

Impact of Geographical Region:

People living in areas where there is less exposure to the sun are at a higher risk of low vitamin D levels.

Low Intake of Vitamin D-Containing Food:

Poor dietary intake of food that is rich in vitamin D results in lower levels. Such as people on a vegetarian diet have lower levels of vitamin D. Most of the vitamin D in our food comes from animal sources.

Side Effects of Some Medications:

Some medications affect vitamin D levels when used for a longer period, Such as phenytoin and other anti-epileptics. People on such medications must check their vitamin D levels and must take supplements in between intervals to avoid further complications, such as weak bones, depression, and anxiety issues.

Impact of Dressing/clothing:

People wearing full-body cover cloths are deficient in vitamin D. However, the human body makes vitamin D in exposure skin is exposed to the sun. Moreover, people with full body sun exposure and having a sun bath have very nice levels of vitamin D as compared to people wearing full body-covered dresses and avoiding sun exposure.

Poor Exposure to Sunshine:

People living in geographical regions where there is less sun exposure have less amount of vitamin D.

What are the complications of Vitamin D Deficiency?

Osteoporosis:

Vitamin D plays very important functions in the human body. Its deficiency causes many health problems, as the primary function of vitamin D is to make bones strong by binding calcium and phosphorus in bones. In case of low levels of vitamin D, bone becomes fragile, a condition of weak bones is called osteoporosis.

Depression:

However, vitamin D plays an important role in brain health. People with low vitamin D levels feel low mood, sadness, and depression. Some research also showed the relationship between vitamin D levels and depression. So it is necessary to maintain vitamin D levels in the normal range to prevent depression.

Low Vitamin D Levels in Children:

Low levels in children lead to stunted growth. So, must check your Child’s vitamin D levels if he/ she is not growing physically according to age.

Risk of Breast and Prostate Cancer:

Some Researchers found that there is a greater risk of developing breast and prostate cancer in people with lower levels of vitamin D, as vitamin D helps in normal cell growth. Its low levels can alter the growth of cells and can lead to cancer.

Treatment:

Vitamin D deficiency treatment is done in following ways.

Exposure to the Sun:

As discussed above, our body makes vitamin D when exposed to Sunshine. So, try to sit in the sunshine for at least 30 minutes every day or at least 1 two times a week. However, avoid sitting in the sun from 11:00 AM to 04:00 PM because the sun rays during this time contain strong ultraviolet rays, which may be harmful to your skin.

Through Diet:

Another good source of vitamin D is animal and plant sources. From animal sources, we get vitamin D from fish, poultry, egg yolks, animal liver, cod liver oil, and dairy products such as cheese. In plants, we get vitamin D from fortified cereals, oranges or orange juice, and some Mushrooms.

 Pharmacological Supplements:(medications)

If someone is unable to get vitamin D from diet and sun exposure, you must consult with your healthcare provider, so that he/she can advise some supplements to correct your levels and may ease your symptoms due to vitamin D deficiency.

So, Vitamin D should be considered a vital vitamin. Its deficiency causes so many complex health issues that need proper attention and treatment. Keep checking your levels and try to take foods that are rich sources of it.