Vitamin D is a nutrient needed to prevent disease, protect your skeletal structure, and regulate mood. When it is deficient, it can damage your overall health and make it difficult to function properly.
When our body does not have enough vitamin D, it causes a problem. One of the unique features of vitamin D is that our skin can produce it using sunlight. What is more, it is easier to produce vitamins for young and pale skin than for older and darker complexes.
Vitamin D plays many important functions in the body, and if you have symptoms of deficiency it is important to include more of it in your diet, get more sunlight (if possible) or take supplements as directed by your doctor.
Here are 11 symptoms of vitamin D deficiency that you should never overlook.
1. Frequent infection or illness.
If you find yourself getting sick easily, you may have a vitamin D deficiency. Vitamin D supports our immune system and helps fight disease. Everyone gets sick once, and if you’re sick, this could be the reason.
2. Bone and joint pain.
When our body does not have enough vitamin D, it can block the increase in bone mass in our body. Vitamin D also helps prevent fractures, so if you have frequent joint and bone pain, you may have a sore throat.
3. Muscle weakness.
Vitamin D is important for our muscles and bones. If we are deficient in vitamin D, we may feel weak or lose our energy. You may find it difficult to lift what you did not have a lifting problem in the past.
4. Depression.
The 2019 review concluded that vitamin D deficiency can lead to stress and depression. Scientists suggest that people with depression may benefit from the presence of vitamin D receptors in their brain and that vitamin D has a strong anti-inflammatory effect.
5. Low energy.
Vitamin D helps our overall mood, reduces inflammation, and strengthens our body. Without its proper levels, we get tired and productivity can go down.
6. Hair loss
Past studies have found a link between female hair loss (affecting 55% of women over the age of 70) and vitamin D deficiency.
7. Tooth decay.
This is especially true for children. As children grow, they need more vitamin D than ever before. Vitamin D helps their teeth to grow properly and without it they can become weak or deformed.
8. Cardiovascular problems.
A 2013 study found a link between vitamin D levels and cardiovascular disease risk. This makes sense because vitamin D protects our heart. It is important to ignore this sign if you have a heart attack and other symptoms of deficiency.
9. Slow wound healing.
When our levels drop, it becomes difficult for our body to do its job because the immune system is responsible for the process of repairing our wounds. Broken limbs can heal slowly, cuts can become infected, and worse, other injuries can heal more slowly than necessary.
10. Bone fractures
Fractures do occur and should not occur easily or frequently. Vitamin D deficiency can be caused when a fracture is a new norm or when it is known that the fracture is very easy.
11. Muscle fatigue.
Muscle endurance is important. It helps us to overcome obstacles, exercise, or have a productive day. If you find that your muscles are easier than before, you need to make sure there is no vitamin D deficiency.
