The Dangers of Vitamin D Deficiency;And What You Can Do About It!

Did you know that Vitamin D is not just good for strong bones and teeth – it’s also essential for the body to stay healthy, as it is needed for a variety of important functions. To have optimum health and avoid deficiency, the recommended daily intake of Vitamin D is between 600 IU and 800 IU. Unfortunately, many people tend to fall below that mark. That’s because we don’t get enough Vitamin D from our diet alone; in fact, 90% of adults are deficient! If you’re reading this article, it means you care about your health and want to do everything in your power to make sure that you’re getting all the right nutrients. Luckily, by reading this article you can learn all about the importance of Vitamin D and how you can protect yourself against deficiency.

 

What is Vitamin D?

Vitamin D is a fat-soluble nutrient that has many positive effects on human health, such as improving bone strength, reducing the risk of certain types of cancers, and promoting healthy brain function. Vitamin D is unique in that it can be produced by our bodies through exposure to sunlight. The sun’s ultraviolet B (UVB) rays interact with the skin to produce Vitamin D. However, most people are not getting enough exposure to the sun to produce enough Vitamin D. This is why Vitamin D is often referred to as the “sunshine vitamin.”

 

Why is Vitamin D so important?

Vitamin D is essential for optimal health and is linked to a variety of health benefits, such as reduced risk of certain cancers, improved immune system, and strengthening of your bones. Vitamin D deficiency has been associated with many adverse health outcomes, such as an increased risk of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and osteoporosis. A growing body of evidence suggests that Vitamin D may also play a role in the prevention of many other diseases, including multiple sclerosis, hypertension, and autoimmune diseases. However, more research is needed to confirm these findings.

 

7 Signs of Vitamin D Deficiency

If you think you could be vitamin D deficient, these are some signs to be on the lookout for: - Depression - Vitamin D is essential for maintaining a healthy mood. Studies have found that people with low levels of the vitamin are more likely to experience symptoms of depression, including feeling sad, nervous, or anxious. - Osteoporosis - Vitamin D deficiency has been linked to an increased risk of osteoporosis. Weak and brittle bones are very common in older adults who have low levels of Vitamin D. - Muscle pain - Many people with Vitamin D deficiency experience muscle pain. This can occur in the arms and legs, and pain in the muscles has been linked to low levels of the vitamin. - Immune system disorders - The immune system depends on several vitamins and nutrients, including Vitamin D. People whose diets are low in Vitamin D are at a greater risk of developing autoimmune disorders, such as multiple sclerosis, psoriasis, and inflammatory bowel diseases, such as Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. - Diabetes - Some studies have suggested that low levels of Vitamin D increase your risk of developing type 2 diabetes. - Poor blood sugar control - Researchers have observed a link between low levels of Vitamin D in the blood and type 2 diabetes.

 

3 Tips to protect yourself from deficiency

- Get plenty of sun - The best way to meet your daily Vitamin D requirement is by exposing your skin to sunlight. - Eat foods rich in Vitamin D - Foods that are rich in Vitamin D include salmon, tuna, fortified milk, yogurt, eggs, and shiitake mushrooms. - Take Vitamin D supplements - If you’re concerned that you might be deficient in Vitamin D, taking a Vitamin D supplement can be a good idea.

 

Conclusion

Vitamin D is essential for optimal health and is linked to a variety of health benefits, such as reduced risk of certain cancers, improved immune system, and strengthening of your bones. Vitamin D deficiency has been associated with many adverse health outcomes, such as an increased risk of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and osteoporosis. If you’re concerned that you might be deficient in Vitamin D, you can protect yourself by getting plenty of sun exposure, eating foods rich in Vitamin D, and taking Vitamin D supplements as needed.