What Causes Vitamin D Deficiency?
If you are lacking vitamin D because you don’t get enough sun exposure during the winter months, you may have a vitamin D deficiency. However, the symptoms of vitamin D deficiency vary from person to person. It is best to consult with your doctor to be sure you are not suffering from an underlying medical condition.
Some people can suffer from low levels of the vitamin and not even know it. They will not experience any symptoms other than occasional colds or flu. Others will feel tired and their bones may become brittle.
However, some people who do not get enough vitamin D will experience feeling tired and cranky. They will get an urge to sleep more often than normal. The mental state of their moods may change. They may feel depressed or fatigued.
There is a higher risk of developing rickets in those people who are deficient in insufficient levels of vitamin D. The bones of these people are brittle and easily broken. They also will likely have a weakness in their muscles and a frequent need for rest.
They may also develop a condition known as softening of the bones, which is where the bones become too fragile and brittle. Low levels of calcium in the blood are the main cause of vitamin D deficiency. Low levels of calcium also mean low levels of the other two essential minerals, magnesium, and phosphorus.
Those who suffer from such conditions should get adequate amounts of vitamin D. In addition, they should be mindful that extra calcium consumption may help to balance out the calcium levels in the blood. The benefits of vitamin D extend far beyond these known benefits. The role of the vitamin in preventing bone disease in adults has not been fully elucidated.
However, many who are experiencing such problems do not take into account the fact that the amount of sunlight they receive throughout the year will be very limited. Vitamin D is only able to be absorbed through the skin when the skin is exposed to sunlight. Not all people get the amounts of sun exposure they need. Therefore, there is a greater risk of vitamin D deficiency in such people.
In order to combat this situation, experts recommend sun exposure up to the neck. Such exposure to the ultraviolet rays of the sun is most beneficial for most people. However, others may need to use sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15 in order to protect their skin from the harmful UV rays.
