Vitamin D Deficiency-Should it be a matter of concern?
According to recent studies, vitamin D deficiency is one of the most frequent nutritional deficits worldwide. It can be the reason of various serious diseases. Let's take a closer look at vitamin D deficiency.

What is vitamin D deficiency?

When your skin is exposed to sunlight, it can produce vitamin D. Vitamin D shortage occurs when the body does not receive enough vitamin D, either owing to a lack of sunlight or a poor diet. If you live in a cold location with limited access to the sun or lead a sedentary indoor lifestyle, your vitamin D levels may be low. Individuals with lighter skin can synthesize vitamin D more easily than those with darker skin. This is because people with dark skin have more melanin in their epidermis which acts like a barrier, thus reducing the production of vitamin D.

What is the significance of vitamin D?
Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that is essential for optimal body functioning, including bone health and immunity. It even assists to prevent cancer and defend against a variety of chronic illnesses, such as: depression, bone loss, diabetes, multiple sclerosis and cardiac disease. Vitamin D is necessary for the body as it keeps the bones healthy and helps in calcium absorption.

What are the symptoms of vitamin D deficiency?
Vitamin D deficiency symptoms include-

Low Immunity- Vitamin D is necessary for a healthy immune system that can fight off bacterial and viral infections. Colds, bronchitis, and pneumonia can all be caused by a lack of Vitamin D.

Weak Bones- Many people with vitamin D deficiency also experience chronic back discomfort, according to studies. They also complain of leg, rib, and joint pain.

Tiredness and Fatigue- Vitamin D deficiency is frequently disregarded as a potential cause of exhaustion, in contrast to more apparent reasons such as stress, melancholy, and sleeplessness.

Loss of hair– Low vitamin D levels have been related to severe hair loss, particularly in women. Deficiency of Vitamin D has been related to alopecia areata, a disorder in which sufferers lose clumps of hair.

Inflammation- Vitamin D helps to regulate inflammation in the body. It is critical in the fight against inflammatory conditions like heart disease, cancer, diabetes, inflammatory bowel disease, multiple sclerosis and autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis..

Depression and Anxiety- Vitamin D supplements have had mixed results, however, some studies have suggested that they help relieve depressive symptoms.

Impaired Wound Healing- Slow wound healing could indicate a deficiency in vitamin D. In fact, a recent study suggests that vitamin D boosts the production of substances necessary for the formation of new skin during the wound-healing process.

What are the causes of vitamin D deficiency?
Various causes of Vitamin D deficiency are-

• Poor diet- not having foods like fish, beef liver and milk
• Having darker complexion
• Being overweight or obese as you get older
• Working indoors
• Living distant from the equator or in locations with low sunlight year-round
• Having hyperparathyroidism, chronic renal disease, or liver disease
• Taking certain drugs can impact vitamin D metabolism, such as statins and steroids, after gastric bypass surgery

How can it be treated?
The following tips can help you overcome vitamin D deficiency:

Spend time in the sunlight- It is suggested that you spend at least 10 to 15 minutes in the sun each day.

Intake of vitamin D-rich food- You can boost your vitamin D consumption through vitamin rich diet such as fatty fish, egg yolks, milk, beef liver, mushrooms and plants.

Take supplements- Vitamin D deficiency is usually treated with oral supplements. These are commonly available over the counter, however, dosage advice should be sought from a physician.

Agilus Diagnostics, a subsidiary of Fortis Healthcare Limited