Vitamin D is one of the most important vitamins for maintaining healthy skeletal and muscular structures. It plays an important role in maintaining the balance of calcium in the blood and bones by increasing the efficiency of absorbing calcium from the small intestine and improving phosphorus absorption. Both calcium and phosphorus are important in building bones and maintaining bone density.
Vitamin D deficiency is caused by a lower vitamin D level in the blood than normal, adversely affecting a person's overall health, especially bone and muscle health. In children, abnormal bone growth may occur, causing spinal curvature or bowing of the legs. In adults, lack of it can lead to osteoporosis or chronic muscle pain.
Causes of vitamin D deficiency
Age: the body produces less vitamin D as we get older
Malnutrition
In the case of infants and children, because breast milk contains few amounts of vitamin D, most synthetic infant milk formulations also do not contain sufficient amounts of vitamin D.
For adults, a lack of vitamin D sources in food
Insufficient exposure to sunlight
Poor absorption of vitamin D from the intestine
Health causes that lead to reduced absorption of vitamin D from the intestine include:
Obesity
Chronic pancreatic failure
Performing a small intestine removal or gastric diversion procedure
Crohn's Disease
Cystic fibrosis
Having a health problem in the kidneys or liver may lead to reduced vitamin D manufacturing in the body or not being converted into an effective form.
Some drugs: increase the rate of vitamin D cracking and decrease blood levels.
Risk Factors:
Infants
elderly persons
Smokers
Pregnant and breastfeeding woman
Dark-skinned people
People with certain diseases such as thyroid disorders
Vitamin D deficiency symptoms:
In mild and moderate cases there may be no symptoms but in severe cases health symptoms such as:
Muscle spasm
Burnout and general vulnerability
Mood fluctuation, or depression
Increased feeling of sleepiness or lethargy
Hair Loss
Weight Gain
Bone and joint pain
Osteoporosis
Weakness of the immune system
Slow wound healing
Sexual dysfunction
Complications of vitamin D deficiency
Low levels of calcium and phosphate in the blood
Osteoporosis for adults, rickets for children
Increased risk of several health problems such as breast, colon, and prostate cancer
Diabetes
Autoimmune diseases, such as lupus, multiple sclerosis, and Hashimoto's disease
Central nervous system diseases, such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's disease, and depression
Cardiovascular diseases, such as hypertension and coronary artery disease.
Diagnosis
Blood Tests
X-Ray
Prevention
Prevention of vitamin D deficiency lies mainly in obtaining the recommended amount of vitamin D on a daily basis. The recommended amount for daily use for adults with a view to prevention after first consulting a doctor is 600 international units and for pregnant and lactating women: 600 international units.
Direct exposure to sunlight at a normal rate
Take supplements containing vitamin D
Maintaining weight within normal range
A diet rich in vitamin D: such as salmon, egg yolks, dairy products, mushrooms, spinach, white beans and others, oranges, and bananas.
