Vitamin-D is a fat soluble vitamin. This vitamin is unique as it is difficult to find it through diet. We get vitamin-D through sunlight due to which it is also known as “Sunshine Vitamin”. Various signs and symptoms of low vitamin d are discussed below.
Vitamin-D Deficiency
As vitamin-D is necessary for calcium absorption, its deficiency will lead to bone diseases. In children its deficiency cause Rickets while in adults it can cause osteoporosis. Vitamin-D is also responsible for nervous, muscle, cardio, respiratory and immune systems. Our body produces vitamin-D naturally when exposed to sunlight. But sun exposure should be limited as it may lead to aging and skin cancer. The amount of Vitamin-D one may need depends on your age.
Reasons to become deficient in Vitamin-D:
- Exposure to sunlight is less.
- People with darker skin are at greater risk of Vitamin-D deficiency as presence of more melanin reduces the skin ability to produce vitamin-D
- Due to inability of kidneys to convert vitamin-D to its active form
- Obese people are more prone to Vitamin-D deficiency.
Vitamin D Deficiency Treatment
Vitamin-D deficiency can be treated by direct exposure to sunlight, through diet or supplements. Requirement of Vitamin-D is different for people of different ages so you should always consult a doctor before taking any medicine or supplement.
Signs and Symptoms of Low Vitamin-D
Most of the people are not aware about their vitamin-D deficiency as the symptoms are not very particular. Common symptoms are as follows:
- Tiredness
- Low immunity
- Bone pain
- Bone loss
- Lower Back Pain
- Muscle Pain
- Hair Loss
- Depression
- Rise in Blood Pressure
- Infertility
- Lesser Endurance
How to Treat Signs and Symptoms of Low Vitamin-D ?
- Spend 15-20 minutes daily in sunlight.
- Eat food rich in Vitamin-D like fatty fish, cheese, egg yolks, fortified milk and fortified cereals.
- Take vitamin-D supplement
Lifestyle changes:
- Regular health check-up.
- Maintain healthy body-weight.
- Use supplements if required.
Signs and Symptoms of Low Vitamin D can be overcome if we take proper diet, do regular exercise, consult with doctor and with sufficient exposure to sunlight.