Vitamin D: Deficiency, Symptoms and Causes

Vitamin D is an organic compound and a vital nutrient that plays an indispensable role in performing the metabolic functions of the human body. Vitamin D like other vitamins cannot be made inside our bodies that is why we derive it from external sources. The most widely known source of Vitamin D is the sun. Apart from the sun, we can obtain vitamin D by eating meals that include fish, meat and eggs. 

Keyterms: Vitamins, Vitamin A, Vitamin B, Vitamin C, Vitamin D, Vitamin E, Fat Soluble Vitamins, Water Soluble Vitamins

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What is Vitamin D?

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Vitamin D is a major nutrient that plays an important role in performing the metabolic functions of the human body. It is a part of the balanced diet required for the appropriate growth of the human body. When the human body is exposed to the sun, the synthesis of cholecalciferol or Vitamin D3 takes place inside the skin epidermal layer due to a chemical reaction. We can also take dietary supplements for its intake. The deficiency of Vitamin D can cause many problems in the human body. Vitamin D is an essential part of human metabolism since it helps in the absorption of calcium and magnesium in the intestines. If it is present in lesser amounts it affects bone health and can lead to fatigue, muscle pain, muscle cramps and hair loss.

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Natural Sources of Vitamin D

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The best source of Vitamin D is the sun. The sun induces a chemical reaction by which Vitamin D gets synthesised inside the epidermis of the skin. The dietary supplements which provide us with vitamin D are fish, cooked egg yolk, cod liver oil, salmon, mackerel, tuna etc. Vitamin D is also added as a micronutrient in manufactured foods like orange juice and dairy products. Vitamin D is necessary for bones, intestines, heart and immune system. 

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Benefits of Vitamin D

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There are several benefits of Vitamin D. Some of them are mentioned below:

• Vitamin D is essential for the immune system. It supports the nervous system of the body.
• Vitamin D plays a vital role in strengthening the bones and teeth.

• Vitamin D helps in the absorption of calcium and other phosphates in the intestines. 
• Vitamin D is required for good cardiovascular health.
• Vitamin D plays a direct role in improving muscle strength.

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Vitamin D Deficiency Symptoms

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Vitamin D deficiency affects almost about 30 to 50 percent of the world population. Below are some of the common deficiency symptoms experienced by people with insufficient amount of Vitamin D in their bodies:

Feeling tired and sleepy: Vitamin D is a major energy booster and its deficiency can cause daytime sleepiness. 

Getting sick and frequent infections: Vitamin D is very important for the overall immune system of the human body. It affects the White blood cells and hence helps fight off diseases. Its deficiency leads to infections of the skin, eyes, urinary or respiratory tract.

Problems in the intestines: Deficiency of Vitamin D can cause gastrointestinal issues

Back pain: Vitamin D affects bone density by calcium absorption. Hence the deficiency of Vitamin D leads to weaker bones.

Tooth decay: Vitamin D directly affects the strength of teeth bones. Its deficiency leads to tooth decay.

Loss of hair: Hair loss due to deficiency of Vitamin D can be of two types, one that is the thinning of the hair on the scalp, and the other being the loss of body hair.

Chronic muscle pain: Vitamin D is directly related to muscle strength. Its deficiency leads to weaker muscles that are vulnerable to chronic pain.

Mood swings or low mood: Deficiency of vitamin D can induce feelings of sadness and lethargy.

Slow wound healing: The healing of wounds of any kind requires the regeneration of tissues in that area. Vitamin D works in tandem with such tissues and helps in their generation. Its deficiency leads to the slow healing of wounds.

Headaches: Deficiency of Vitamin D can cause severe headaches. Vitamin D is an indispensable part of the nervous system.

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Vitamin D Deficiency Causes

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There can be many causes of vitamin D deficiency. Some of them are listed below:

• If enough Vitamin D is not present in everyday diet.
• Vitamin D deficiency can be caused due to insufficient absorption by the enzymes.
• If a person does not get proper exposure to sunlight.

• When the kidneys and liver fail to convert the inactive calcifediol into calcitriol ( active Vitamin D).
• External medicinal interference which affects the natural capacity of the body to absorb or convert Vitamin D into the body. 

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Vitamin D Deficiency Diseases

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Vitamin D has a major role in affecting the nervous system and the overall immune system of the human body. Its deficiency leads to various kinds of diseases which affect the human body in different ways. Some of the diseases include respiratory infections, viral infections in the urinary tract. Vitamin D deficiency can intensify the severity of infections like HIV and COVID. 
Low levels of Vitamin D are found in asthma patients. Patients with inflammatory bowel disease are found to have insufficient levels of Vitamin D. 
Other health conditions caused due to insufficient levels of Vitamin D include Diabetes, ADHD, Depression, Cognition and dementia, schizophrenia and weight loss.

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Things To Remember

• The most widely known source of Vitamin D is the sun. Apart from the sun, we can obtain vitamin D by eating meals that include fish, egg yolk, salmon, mackerel, etc.
• Vitamin D gets synthesized inside the epidermis of the skin due to sunlight-induced chemical reactions.
• Vitamin D is also added as a micronutrient in manufactured foods like orange juice and dairy products.
• Vitamin D helps in the absorption of calcium and other phosphates in the intestines. 
• Vitamin D is very important for the overall immune system of the human body. It affects the White blood cells and hence helps fight off diseases. Its deficiency leads to infections of the skin, eyes, urinary or respiratory tract.
• Vitamin D is directly related to muscle strength. Its deficiency leads to weaker muscles that are vulnerable to chronic pain.
• Research has proved that patients having Diabetes, ADHD, Depression, Cognition and dementia, schizophrenia and weight loss have a deficiency of Vitamin D.