Know Vitamin D deficiency symptoms and why it is important for our body

Vitamin deficiencies have now become very common in all ages- especially the teenagers and adolescents are suffering from the deficiency the most. Healthy vitamins and nutrients are needed most in the growing age.

Vitamin D is one such important vitamin that is needed in making the bones stronger. Vitamin D is also needed as it helps in the absorption of calcium in the body. Vitamin D is produced in the body when sun’s ultraviolet rays strike the skin. Well the vitamin is availed mostly through sun but it can also be obtained from some foods like mushrooms, soy milk, eggs and oily fish.

Some of the reasons behind lack of Vitamin D in your body:

While lack of exposure to sun and unhealthy diet are the reasons of deficiency of Vitamin D, there can be other reasons to that you are suffering from its deficiency.

Dark-skinned people may not be able to produce as much Vitamin D, at time of exposure to sun.

Your kidneys may not be able to convert the Vitamin D into usable form.

Sometimes, your intestines are not able to absorb the Vitamin D because of some gut issues like Celiac Disease or Crohn’s Disease.

If you have put on extra weight, then you are at a higher risk as Vitamin D is a fat-soluble substance.

Well, lack of Vitamin D can cause your bones to become thin and brittle. In severe cases, Vitamin D deficiency also causes rickets in children and osteomalacia in adults.

If you are in a doubt that you may be suffering from the lack of vitamin, here are some of the symptoms:

1. Feeling low and moody: Serotonin, a brain hormone, becomes active more with sun exposure. Studies show that feel-good chemicals in the brain are affected due to low levels of Vitamin D in the body, making you moody and irritable most of the times.
2. Chronic pain: If you experience regular pain, muscle weakness and joint pains and are sensitive to pain, chances are that you are suffering from Vitamin D deficiency.
3. Constant fatigue: You feel tired all the time even after taking rest. You may feel lethargic and anxious. Adequate amount of Vitamin D helpful to boost our levels of energy and also improve muscle functions.
4. Sweating in head: This is most common sign of Vitamin D deficiency. And in case of new born babies, it is the first sign of Vitamin D deficiency.
5. Sleepiness in daytime: Studies show that people with Vitamin D deficiency suffer a higher risk of experiencing daytime sleepiness and other sleep disorders.
6. Respiratory infections and frequent flu attacks: Since Vitamin D plays important role in reducing inflammation and regulation of functions of cells in immune system, therefore if you are suffering from its deficiency, you may be at a risk of suffering more allergies and infections.
7. Gum disease: Bleeding, reddening and swelling of the gums may also indicate low levels of Vitamin D.