Vitamin D is an extremely important with truly powerful effects in the human body. Its primary function is giving enough nutrients for strong bones to the organism. Different than other vitamins, vitamin D functions more like a hormone with a receptor for it in every single cell of the organism.
The main production of this vitamin is when organism takes the substance out of cholesterol when the body is exposed to the sun. Although it can be found in fatty fish and certain fortified products, the intake of the vitamin is not easy to get by food alone.
If any of the following factors are present, they will increase the deficiency of this vitamin. They are:
• Having dark skin
• Being an old age person
• An Obesity or overweight condition
• Lacking of fish or milk in the diet
• Dwelling in places away from the equator, where there is less sunlight exposure all year long
• Using sunscreen extremely when going out
• A preference to remain home and never go out.
The signs and symptoms of the vitamin D deficiency are slightly noticeable and they can be taken for granted by people, generating negative effects which are more and more common recently.
So a maximum alert should be taken, when the following signs and symptoms of this deficiency are observed:
1. GETTING SICK OR INFECTED FREQUENTLY
Vitamin D plays an important role in the immune system, so getting infected with the flu, colds, or any other common disease is a clear indicator of the lacking of this component in the organism.
2. FATIGUE AND TIRENESS
A sensation of tiresomeness and fatigue is a clear sign that the organism lacks vitamin D due to low level of blood level production. Supplements and a better vitamin D diet supply should be effective immediately.
3. PAIN IN THE BACK AND BONES
Absorption of calcium is improved by the intake of vitamin D, so the absence or low levels of this substance in the system would be reflected in ache in the back and leg or rib bones and joints.
4. DEPRESSION
Deficiency of this element in the system would lead to a depression sensation. Several studies have proved the link between the increment of vitamin D and the overcome of depression in people, especially in the elderly.
5. DIMINISHED WOUND HEALING
A reduction in the time of healing wounds is a clear indicator of lacking vitamin D in the organism. Also, the presence of this substance in the body helps to control inflammation and fight infection.
6. BONE LOSS
Due to the helping hand offered by vitamin D in the absorption of calcium and bone metabolism, bone losing is a direct consequence of the absence of this substance in the body, especially in older people with an increased risk of fractures.
7. LOSING HAIR
Stress is a serious factor in hair loss, but when it is severe it is possibly originated by a disease or a deficiency in nutrients. Furthermore research has given enough evidence in this area; some studies have linked low vitamin D levels with alopecia areata, an autoimmune disease, and rickets, a soft-bone disease present in children.
8. MUSCLE PAIN
Some studies have showed the relation between vitamin D deficiency and muscle pain, but it is still a research that requires deep testing. So far, the investigation done in this area has given results indicating a possible relation between the vitamin and pain-serving nerve cells.
The presence of any of these signs and symptoms and the risk factors mentioned above have to be taken into consideration to treat a possible deficiency in this vitamin, along with a complementary dieting to supply it and a good amount of sunlight exposure.