Importance of Vitamin D

Category: Orthopaedics July 30, 2019 Author: Dr Debashish Chanda

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.