April 9th, 2018 | Updated on July 13th, 2022
Vitamin deficiencies have now become very common amongst all ages – especially teenagers and adolescents. Our sedentary lifestyle, unhealthy eating habits and need for convenience have caused vitamin deficiencies.
Vitamin D is one such nutrient that helps your bones grow and stay strong.
Vitamin D helps in absorbing calcium and thus is essential for effective growth of bones in body. Adequate level of vitamin D is necessary to enjoy strong bones and a lack of this vitamin can cause serious issues in your body such as rickets in kids and osteomalacia in grown-ups.
Vitamin D is available in plenty in the nature. The most preferred and popular way of obtaining vitamin D is through exposure to sun. The UV rays of sun hit human skin and it results in production of vitamin D. Apart from sun, we can get this highly useful vitamin from foods such as eggs, soy milk, fish and mushrooms.
But as we have moved away from balanced diet which offered us all essential nutrients in right amounts, people these days are consuming supplements to maintain the required level of vitamins in their bodies.
The general belief is that vitamin D deficiency is caused by lack of sun exposure.
This fact is not untrue but there are also others factors that contribute to vitamin D deficiency along with unhealthy eating habits-
- People having dark skin can experience lack of vitamin D even after sufficient exposure to sun. Because dark skin hinders production of vitamin D.
- Kidneys play a vital role in converting vitamin D. Sometimes, kidneys are unable to convert vitamin D into a form that is usable to body.
The work of absorbing vitamin D in the body is done by intestines. Sometimes diseases like Celiac Disease or Crohn’s Disease hinder the process of absorbing vitamin D. - Vitamin D is soluble in fat. So, overweight people have more chances of having vitamin D deficiency as the vitamin D in their body gets absorbed in body fat.
But how does one identify vitamin D deficiency in body?
There are several symptoms that let you know about this deficiency but here we discuss the most prominent seven symptoms:
1. Mood swings and feeling irritated
If you think feeling irritated has to do with your mental fitness then you need to update your knowledge. Studies have proved that if you have low levels of vitamin D then the feel-good hormones in your brain will suffer and it will result in feeling irritated.
Thus when you feel moody and irritated, it is a symptom of vitamin D deficiency.
2. Chronic Pain
If your body joints ache regularly, and you feel weakness in your muscles then this may be a sign of Vitamin D deficiency. People who have low levels of vitamin D are more prone to pain, so they are more likely to feel muscle and joint pain.
3. Diseases of Gums
Gums are a very good indicator of vitamin D deficiency. If your gums swell, turn red or have bleeding then it’s advisable to seek help from a doctor.
4. Feeling sleepy during daytime
Several studies have revealed that sleep disorders and vitamin D deficiency are inter-connected. Feeling sleepy during daytime can be an indicator of Vitamin D deficiency.
5. Feeling fatigued
Vitamin D provides necessary energy to your muscles for their normal functioning. Lack of vitamin D makes you feel tired even when you have rested for a good time.
If you experience anxiety and feeling of fatiguness then it means you probably are going through vitamin D deficiency.
6. Sweating in forehead
Another common symptom of vitamin D deficiency is sweaty forehead. Research has proved that when a human body features lack of vitamin D, there is sweating in forehead.
This symptom is commonly seen in new-born babies. Generally the new born babies that have deficiency of Vitamin D have sweaty forehead.
7. Experiencing Flu attacks frequently
Vitamin D regulates cell functions in immunity system. Hence, adequate amount of vitamin D is necessary for your immune system to function properly.
So, when your body experiences lack of vitamin D, your immune system gets affected and there is increase in respiratory infections. This results in frequent flu attacks.
If you go through frequent flu attacks, then it means your immune system is weak and it also suggests lack of vitamin D in your body.
The severity of above discussed symptoms differs from person to person. Some people experience them at high levels while for some people the signs are very subtle.
The biggest aspect is to keep your eyes open and to identify any slight changes in your body.
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Information provided by Newszii.com does in no way substitute for qualified medical opinion. Any text, videos or any other material provided by us should be considered as generic information only. Any health related information may vary from person to person, hence we advice you to consult specialists for more information.
