Did you know that before the year 2000 most doctors believed that none of their patients could be vitamin (D) deficient, but as technology to measure for vitamin (D) became affordable more studies were conducted, according to Dr.Michael Holick who is one of the leading vitamin (D) researchers the Center for Disease Control and Prevention the CDC.
Reported that 32% of adults and children in the US were vitamin (D) deficient, that’s a pretty high number so for that reason alone it’s crucial that you look for signs of vitamin (D) deficiency, with more research being conducted Holyk believes that about 50% of the general population may be at risk for vitamin (D) deficiency.
The only way to know for sure if you are vitamin (D) deficient is by a blood test, but the signs and symptoms that come along with this deficiency could be helpful as well.
Now here are signs that you may be vitamin (D) deficient:
Number 7 Darker Skin.
Holy explains that if you have darker skin, you may need as much as 10 times more sun exposure to get the same amount of vitamin (D) as an individual with pale skin, he adds that your skin pigment acts as a natural sunscreen so the more pigment you have, the more time you need to spend in the Sun.
Many people don’t know that people who have dark skin are more at risk for developing a vitamin (D) deficiency, this is because MELANIN which helps prevent certain skin cancers like MELANOMA, and reduces the skins ability to provide vitamin (D) when responding to sunlight exposure.
People who have darker skin have more MELANIN allowing less sun exposure to enter the skin; this means that less vitamin (D) is produced in the body, in fact, older adults with dark skin are known to be at a higher risk of developing a vitamin (D) deficiency.
Number 6 Obese Overweight For High Muscle mass.
Holick explains that vitamin (D) is fat-soluble, which means that the body will collect it so if you are overweight or obese your body will need a lot more vitamin (D) than the average person, the same goes for those who have a lot of muscle and body mass.
Number 5 Aching Bones.
Olek says that many patients who visit their doctor and complain about aching bones and muscles are misdiagnosed for fibromyalgia or chronic fatigue syndrome, it’s not an uncommon mistake, but what I recommend is that before the doctor diagnoses you, ask for a vitamin (D) blood test, just so you can rule it out if it comes back negative, Click next to see the rest of the article.
Number 4 Sweaty Head.
According to holy a sweaty head is one of the first signs of vitamin (D) deficiency, he adds that many physicians used to ask new mothers if their newborn child was experiencing a sweaty head, excessive sweating, and newborns that due to neuromuscular irritability is still described as an early symptom of vitamin (D) deficiency.
Number 3 You Have The Blues.
According to a study published in the American Journal of geriatric psychiatry one of the signs of vitamin (D) deficiency is having a low moon, to prove this theory researchers studied, 80 elderly patients and they found that those who had the most moderate vitamin (D) levels, were 11 times more likely to be depressed than those who had healthy levels of vitamin (D).
In fact, there are many different psychological changes that happen as a result of vitamin (D) deficiency, scientists state that main symptoms associated with SID seasonal affective disorder are a result of changing levels of vitamin (D), season affective disorder is a mood disorder which results in symptoms of depression during the winter months when there is less sunshine.
This occurs as a result of sudden drops and levels of vitamin (D) in a person’s body, changing levels of vitamin (D) in the brain can affect serotonin levels affecting a person’s mood low levels of serotonin are linked to depression, this is because serotonin is a chemical and a neurotransmitter in our bodies, that helps regulate our moods sleep, social behavior, appetite, and more.
If you notice that you become increasingly sad particularly during the winter months it may be because you have a vitamin (D) deficiency, if this is the case consider talking to your doctor about a vitamin (V) supplement which can help increase the levels of vitamin (D) in your body, and possibly help improve your mood, surprised yet? Keep reading for some even more unusual signs that your body may be lacking vitamin (D).
Number 2 You’re At Least 50.
Vitamin (D) is also a very common risk factor among seniors, the reason that seniors are at a higher risk for developing a vitamin (D) deficiency, is because as seniors age their ability to synthesize vitamin (D) from direct sunlight is reduced, in addition to this, vitamin (D) is activated in the body’s kidneys, and this is a function which decreases as a person ages.
Seniors are also less likely to exercise and live active lifestyles as they age, they also tend to stay inside born, according to the International Society for clinical densitometry about 95% of senior citizens may be vitamin (D) deficient, the reason is not just because they spend a lot of time indoors, another reason is that they produce less when they’re exposed to the Sun.
They add that an elderly individual over the age of 70 produces 30% less vitamin (D) than a younger person with the same sun exposure, scientists state that people require up to 30 minutes of exposure to the Sun at least twice a week to get the necessary amount of vitamin (D), according to the food nutrition board the average amount of vitamin (D) intake that a person should get until the age of 50 is 200 international units, IU for men and women.
Men and women between the ages of 50 and 70 should have a daily intake of 400 international units, while after the age of 70 the consumption should raise to 600 IU for both men and women, this is why there are many supplements available on the market which seniors can take to increase their intake of vitamin (D), Click next to see the rest of the article.
Number 1 Gut Issues.
As mentioned earlier vitamin (D) is fat-soluble, so if you are having gastrointestinal issues that affect your body’s ability to store fat, you could have lower absorption of fat-soluble vitamins such as vitamin D says wholly, certain gut conditions that are common include Crohn’s celiac, and non-celiac gluten sensitivity and inflammatory bowel disease.
Sources of vitamin (D)
According to the dietitians of Canada the following are excellent sources of vitamin (D), Grain products, Orange juice, Plain yogurt, Deli meat, Pork, Beef liver, Salmon, Eggs, Fruits and Vegetables, Tuna, Mackerel, Cheese, Egg yolks, and Cod liver oil, just remember, if you experience any of the symptoms mentioned though consult your doctor, because you may be vitamin (D) deficient.
There are certain people who are more at risk for developing a vitamin (D) deficiency, these people include the elderly those who have milk allergies, those who have darker skin, or those who follow a vegan diet, symptoms associated with vitamin (D) deficiency include an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, cancer asthma children cognitive impairment in seniors, and more it is extremely important to get a sufficient amount of vitamin (D) in order to avoid these health risks.
If you are not exposed to the Sun very often, and you have a strict diet which doesn’t incorporate many foods which are rich in vitamin (D), it may be time to start talking to your doctor about the best types of supplements you should be taking for vitamin (D), and how many or how often you should be taking them, it should be noted that there are many different harmful effects of overexposure to the Sun.
Overexposure to the Sun can result in sunburn, premature aging of the skin, skin cancer, and skin damage, did you know that over 90% of skin cancers are caused by sun exposure? This is why scientists are often debating about the best ways to get vitamin (D), although vitamin (D) comes from the Sun, is in the Sun too long, can pose all sorts of other dangerous health issues, and risks which can lead to cancer.
Overexposure to the Sun allows damaging and harmful UV rays to reach the inner skin layers of a person’s body, this causes sunburn and can even kill, or damage skin cells possibly developing into skin cancer, although a small amount of UV exposure is good for us, because it creates vitamin (D) too much sun exposure can lead to early aging, skin cancer, a low immune system and more.
This is why doctors suggest eating a diet that has foods that are rich in vitamin (D), that being said not many foods have vitamin D in them which is why vitamin (D) supplements are becoming increasingly popular speak to your doctor today about the best ways you can increase your levels of vitamin (D), your doctor will likely suggest taking vitamin (D) supplements, what are some ways you try to get more vitamin (D)? Don’t forget to subscribe to our newsletter for more daily tips.
