If you are experiencing any of the symptoms of Vitamin D deficiency like muscle weakness, inflammation, fatigue, and depression. You need to understand the underline causes and how you can address this in the right way with self-care practices to keep your physical or mental health in place.
Vitamin D has the ability to influence your whole-body health, and is one that you definitely don’t want to forget about! It is an essential vitamin to keep your bones healthy and prevent you from any kind of muscle weakness, inflammation, fatigue, and depression. It also plays an important role in metabolism. Adequate amount saves you from lifestyle diseases like high blood pressure, obesity, diabetes, infections and immune system disorders, and some types of cancer.
WHAT IS VITAMIN D?
Vitamin D is both a nutrient we eat and a hormone our bodies make. It plays an important role in absorption and retaining normal blood levels of calcium and phosphate; which are both critical for building bone. Also, essential for collagen formation in the bone matrix, and can reduce cancer cell growth, help control infections and reduce inflammation.
Vitamin D is naturally present in a few foods, though some foods are fortified with the vitamin. Vitamin D, also known as the sunshine vitamin is available in two forms: vitamin D2 (“ergocalciferol” or pre-vitamin D) and vitamin D3 (“cholecalciferol”)which are naturally produced in the presence of the sun’s ultraviolet-B (UVB) rays. Vitamin D2 is produced in plants and fungi and D3 in animals, including humans.
What is the difference between vitamin D and vitamin D3?
For most people, the best way to get enough vitamin D is to take a supplement because it is hard to eat enough food.
Vitamin D production in the skin is the primary natural source of vitamin D, but many people have insufficient levels because they live in places where sunlight is limited in winter, or because they have limited sun exposure due to being inside much of the time. Also, people with darker skin tend to have lower blood levels of vitamin D because the pigment (melanin) acts as a shade, reducing the production of vitamin D (and also reducing the damaging effects of sunlight on the skin, including skin cancer).
Causes of Vitamin D Deficiency
The deficiency of vitamin D occurs mostly in children when they do not get enough sunlight and live in dark and damp places which may cause rickets to them. In adults rickets(osteomalacia) are caused.
Vitamin D deficiency can primarily lead to a loss of bone density, which can contribute to osteoporosis and fractures (broken bones).
So the main causes you can become deficient in vitamin D:
- You don’t get enough vitamin D in your diet
- You don’t absorb enough vitamin D from food (a malabsorption problem)
- You don’t get enough exposure to sunlight.
- Your liver or kidneys cannot convert vitamin D to its active form in the body.
- You take medicines that interfere with your body’s ability to convert or absorb vitamin D
Sun Gazing is an Ancient Science|Healing Sunlight
SYMPTOMS OF VITAMIN D DEFICIENCY
Most people have no symptoms. In severe cases, vitamin D deficiency can lead to symptoms that can include muscle weakness, pain, fatigue, and depression.
COMMON VITAMIN D DEFICIENCY SYMPTOMS INCLUDE
- Aching Muscles
- Painful Bones
- Fatigue
- Reduced Endurance
- Low Moods
- Problems Sleeping Well
- Sweaty Head
- Losing Hair
- Wounds Heal Slowly
- Dizziness
- Heart problems
- Weight gain
- Recurring infections
- Reduced Cognitive Function
HOW TO ADDRESS VITAMIN D DEFICIENCY
If you are having any of the symptoms mentioned above and you’re concerned that you may be deficient in vitamin D, there are a few things you can do to check.
VITAMIN D TEST
First, you should get a test done for your blood levels of this nutrient. This is the most accurate way to tell if you’re deficient.
The 25-hydroxy vitamin D test is the most accurate way to measure how much vitamin D is in your body.
SUPPLEMENTATION
Second, If your reports show you are deficient then, it’s a good idea to talk to your doctor about getting the right supplementation on time.
DIET
Third, you can make sure you’re getting enough vitamin D in your diet. This nutrient is found in fatty fish, egg yolk, milk, butter, desi ghee, fish liver oils, and fortified foods.
Here are some of the best vegan sources of vitamin D.
SUNLIGHT
You can also get it from exposure to sunlight. So spend some time in the sun. Go for a morning walk in sun or take the rising sun rays for 15minutes every day.
SELFCARE
Vitamin D deficiency is a serious concern that can lead to a number of health issues. You should not neglect this. In today’s lifestyle, most people have this vitamin deficiency.
A cultivated self-care practice helps maintain a healthy, functioning body! Eat a nourishing diet, do exercise regularly, spend time with friends and family, be out in nature, don’t be on gadgets all the time, and don’t forget to take your supplements on time.
To determine if a vitamin D deficiency is disrupting your physical or mental health, schedule an appointment with Doctor and explore the best protocol for your unique constitution. Self supplementation can cause harmful effects. Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin, which means it can build up in your body. Taking too much vitamin D can lead to high levels of calcium in your blood, which can cause nausea, vomiting, confusion, and even death.
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