The Symptoms of Vitamin D Deficiency And How to Resolve it.
Vitamin D is one of the most important nutrients for our body. It controls our skin cells’ growth and prevents numerous skin disorders like eczema. Vitamin D is also important for hormonal balance in the body – if its levels are low, it will result in different health problems.
The unhealthy lifestyle we all lead is the most common cause for the increase of vitamin D deficiencies, which seriously affect the immune system. This vitamin is required by the T cells (the immune system’s main cells), which is why the levels of vitamin D should always be within normal range. Vitamin D deficiency is directly related to weakened immune system and numerous health problems.
Symptoms of vitamin D deficiency
Vitamin D deficiency can affect everyone regardless of age or gender, although older people are at higher risk. It can have serious consequences for people over 70 and pregnant women, who should pay more attention to their vitamin D levels.
The main symptom of vitamin D deficiency are mood changes and depression. As most people nowadays are facing these problems, no one ever thinks about vitamin D deficiency. Bad mood, anxiety and depression are actually caused by lack of vitamin D in the body. When the levels are low, it can lead to rushed reactions, anxiety and irritability, which can take a toll on our health.
Vitamin D deficiency is also one of the main causes of obesity. According to several studies, lack of this vitamin increases the chances of obesity in both children and adults – the less vitamin D in the body, the bigger the chances of you being overweight. This condition is usually accompanied by hormonal imbalance, and makes it more difficult to maintain your weight. This will make your system unable to receive healthy fats, leaving you with nothing more than fat.
Chronic fatigue, sleepiness and lack of energy are also signs of vitamin D deficiency. Chronic fatigue in the USA has been related to low levels of the vitamin, even in people who rest properly and lead a healthy life. In these cases, it’s best to visit a doctor who can identify the problem and recommend an appropriate therapy.
Vitamin D is also important for the bones and muscles, and allows them to function properly. This is why professional athletes must often check their vitamin D levels, or they risk injuries and lose performance. Besides muscle pain, vitamin D deficiency can also cause stiff joints, which is why the levels must be kept in check. When you have low levels of vitamin D in your body, your bones won’t be able to get the proper amount of calcium, which will lead to pain and fragile bones. The same problem is responsible for diseases such as arthritis, osteoarthritis, multiple sclerosis, etc.
High blood pressure is another symptom of vitamin D deficiency. This vitamin is crucial for the proper function of the cardiovascular system – if its levels are low, it will disrupt the proper blood pressure. Finally, low levels of vitamin D in the body have been connected to digestive problems. When the body lacks vitamin D, it is unable to absorb fats properly, which results in vitamin insolubility. Scientific studies have associated vitamin D deficiency with digestive problems and even colorectal cancer. People suffering from gut inflammation should pay special attention to their vitamin D levels and eat foods that contain the vitamin in abundance.
How to restore your vitamin D levels
The best and easiest way of restoring your vitamin D levels is to start eating foods rich in it. The best foods for this purpose are fatty fish such as salmon, sardines and mackerel, but egg yolks, dairy products, algae and fruits also contain a lot of vitamin D. Besides eating vitamin D-rich foods, you also need to sunbath more often. Sunlight is our primary source of vitamin D, which is why you should enjoy it more often. Of course, this should be enjoyed moderately, as exposing yourself to the harmful UV rays can have serious consequences on your health. For best results, consult with a doctor in cases of vitamin D deficiency, who will tell you the best course of treatment.
