Vitamin D deficiency is dangerous

Posted By Suborna Fermi Posted on Oct 27, 2021

Vitamin D is vital for your body to function properly. Vitamin D helps to build bones and to keep bones healthy and strong. Dietary sources provide some vitamin D but most of the vitamin D comes from sunlight. After taking vitamin D, it needs to convert to its active form.

Deficiencies arise when a person does not take in enough vitamin D or your body is not able to absorb vitamin D and convert it to its active form in the liver and kidneys. deficiency of vitamin D can lead you to diverse bone and muscles related problems such as osteoporosis, osteomalacia, rickets.

5 Cause of vitamin D deficiency

• Vitamin D deficiency can happen when a person does not consume enough vitamin D or does not spend enough time in sunlight.
• Deficiency may arise if you do not eat foods rich in vitamin D.
• Some drugs such as steroids, and drugs for lowering cholesterol, reduce the body's ability to absorb vitamin D.
• Smoking affects the gene that activates the production of vitamin D-3 in the body.
• People with liver disease and kidney disease may affect the body's ability to convert vitamin D to its active form.

Symptoms of vitamin D deficiency

• fatigue
• Bone pain
• Muscle aches or cramps
• Mood swings

Treatment of vitamin D deficiency

One's specific needs for vitamin D depend on various factors including age, diet, etc. If someone is diagnosed with vitamin D deficiency then he or she will be advised to increase their intake of vitamin D. After consulting with a doctor, some people may need to take vitamin D supplements and the doctor will also provide their dosage. A person with deficiency needs to consume foods that are rich in vitamin D including cord liver oil, beef liver, cheese, mushrooms, egg yolks, cereals, soy drinks, etc.

It is best to stay safe beforehand. So the best way to prevent vitamin D deficiency is to eat foods rich in vitamin D and spend some time in sunlight each day. Sunlight is the source of vitamin D but excessive sun exposure increases the risk of skin cancer. For safe exposure to the sun a person needs to spend a short time outdoors without sunscreen. Anyone who is experiencing any vitamin D deficiency symptoms should speak to a doctor.