Vitamin D Deficiency: Negative

Effects on the Body

It is important to get enough vitamin D to keep the body functioning well. Deficiency in vitamin D would generally cause the following symptoms: weak muscles, pain, fatigue, and depression. Sources of Vitamin D include safely planned sunlight, from certain foods, and dietary supplements.

What does it mean to be Deficient in Vitamin D?

This means that your body does no have the right amount of vitamin D required. Vitamin D is actually produced by the skin from the moment sunlight touches it. However, lighter-skinned and younger-aged people convert more vitamin D than those with darker-skinned and over the age of 50.

Why is Vitamin D important for our body and overall health?

1. Vitamin D Keeps the bones strong and healthy.

Having strong and healthy bones will definitely protect you from various disorders causing weak and soft bones. Lack of the sufficient amount of Vitamin D in the body can lead to osteomalacia (for adults) and rickets (for children.)

2. Vitamin D helps build bones and absorb calcium.

Vitamin D is needed in order along with calcium and phosphorus to be utilized to build bones. Weak bones can lead osteoporosis wherein the bones lose its density which will lead to fractures.

3. Vitamin D has also other vital purposes for the health.

Lack or a deficit in vitamin D would cause other conditions such as:

• Heart disease and high blood pressure.
• Diabetes.
• Infections and immune system disorders.
• Falls in older people.
• Some types of cancer, such as colon, prostate and breast cancers.
• Multiple sclerosis.

What does your diet have to do with getting enough vitamin D?

Vitamin D is not always in many foods. That’s why certain foods have added vitamin D. In fact, newer food nutrition labels show the amount of vitamin D contained in a particular food item.

It may be difficult, especially for vegans or people who are lactose-intolerant, to get enough vitamin D from their diets, which is why some people may choose to take supplements.