Importance of Vitamin D

Vitamin D also known as sunshine vitamin helps in keeping your bones strong. Recent researches suggest that Vitamin D protects you from a lot of health problems. Vitamin D is produced by your body in response to skin being exposed to sunlight. There are a few foods like fish, fish liver oils, egg yolks- fortifies dairy and grain products through which we can intake Vitamin D.

Symptoms of Vitamin D deficiency

Listed below are a few symptoms that can help you understand that you might have Vitamin D deficiency in your body

• Bone Pain
• Joint Pain
• Fatigue and tiredness
• Headaches
• Weight Gain
• High blood pressure
• Insomnia
• Cramps in muscles
• Osteoporosis
• Rickets in children
• Depression

Causes of Vitamin D deficiency

Vitamin D deficiency can occur in your bodies due to various reasons, listed below are few of them.

• You are not able to consume the recommended levels of vitamin over a period of time especially if you follow a strict vegan diet as most of the natural source for Vitamin D are animal based like fish, beef, egg yolks etc.
• If your exposure to sunlight is limited, then you may have Vitamin D deficiency as your body makes Vitamin D if your skin is exposed to sunlight.
• Pigment melanin makes your skin dark which creates the inability in your skin to absorb Vitamin D in response to exposure of your skin to sunlight.
• People with BMI of 30 or more than 30 often have low Vitamin D levels.
• Medical problems like Crohn’s disease, cystic fibrosis and celiac disease can affect your intestine’s ability to absorb Vitamin D  through food that you eat.
• With ageing kidneys are unable to convert Vitamin D into active form which increases the risk of being Vitamin D deficient.

Who are at risk of Vitamin D deficiency?

The following are at risk for Vitamin D deficiency

• All expecting mothers
• Breast feeding women
• Infants and young kids below the age group of 5 years
• Old aged people 65 years and above
• One’s who have low or no exposure to sun.
• People with dark skin.

Why is Vitamin D essential for our body?

Vitamin D is very important for our body as it keeps our bones healthy and strong. It is reported that people with low Vitamin D levels often face depression and fatigue, proper Vitamin D levels in your body keeps you away from such risks. Vitamin D contributes to your strong muscles and general health.

How can Vitamin D be diagnosed?

If you see any symptoms in you which are mentioned above or fall in the category of high risks, you should get your Vitamin D levels checked. Vitamin D levels can be measured with a Vitamin D blood test.

How can Vitamin D levels be boosted?

Vitamin D in your body can be boosted through a exposure to sunlight, proper diet and supplements.

Get in touch with our team of experts to get your Vitamin D levels checked.