Vitamin D Deficiency Signs and Symptoms

Introduction:

Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that is responsible for healthy bones and enhancing calcium absorption. In case of deficiency brittle and weakened bones may occur. Children who don't get enough may end up with a disease called rickets, and adults with vitamin D deficiency are at a greater risk for osteoporosis.

The adequate daily intake of vitamin D is from 200 to 600 International Units (IU); however, some experts believe those numbers should be increased. Three ounces of salmon contains about 800 IU, a cup of milk has just over 100 IU, and one serving of fortified breakfast cereal usually has about 40 IU vitamin D.

Symptoms

Muscles weakness and bone pain are the first symptoms of vitamin D deficiency.

Children who have rickets suffer from soft bones and skeletal deformities. Deficiency in adults will cause osteomalacia, which is a condition that makes your bones weak. Your health care provider can order tests that measure the levels of 25-hydroxy vitamin D.

Insufficient intake of vitamin D is linked to many health conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, multiple sclerosis and some forms of cancer. More research is needed to see if vitamin D can be used to treat or prevent the above diseases.

Causes

Not eating enough vitamin D containing food along with low sunlight exposure increase the risk of deficiency. Breastfed infants, older adults, housebound individuals, and people with dark skin are at higher risk of vitamin D deficiency.

People who have Crohn's disease, cystic fibrosis, gastric bypass surgery, or have liver or kidney conditions may not get enough vitamin D from their diets and are at risk of deficiency.

You need to have sunlight exposure without sunscreen to enhance vitamin D absorption. Excessive sunlight exposure will lead to skin cancer so you only need 20 minutes of sunlight exposure.

Vitamin D is found in very little options like oily fish like cod liver. Beef liver, eggs, and cheese also contain small amounts. You can choose fortified milk and cereals.

Can You Get too much?

It would be tough to get too much vitamin D from foods—even fortified foods—unless you consume large amounts of cod liver oil.

Taking large dose of vitamin D will lead to toxicity that causes nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, constipation, weakness, and weight loss.

High level of vitamin D may increase level of calcium too and lead to mental confusion and irregular heart rhythm. So if you have any concerns consult your doctor and follow label directions.

Sources:

https://www.verywellfit.com/vitamin-d-deficiency-signs-and-symptoms-2507726?utm_campaign=livinghealthy&utm_medium=email&utm_source=cn_nl&utm_content=16313927&utm_term=list_gl_ot_vft-default

https://www.biocare.co.uk/news/essential-facts-about-vitamin-d.html