Unlike other vitamins, Vitamin D works like a hormone and every cell in the body has a receptor for it. The body produces it from cholesterol, when the skin is exposed to sunlight.
It is also found in some foods, such as fatty fish and fortified dairy products, although it is very difficult to get what you need just through diet. The recommended daily intake (RDI) is usually about 400-800 IU, but many experts say you should get even more.
Vitamin D deficiency is very common. It is estimated that approximately 1 billion people worldwide have low levels of the vitamin in their blood.
Most people do not realize that they are deficient in vitamin D., as the symptoms are generally imperceptible. You may not recognize them easily, even if they have a significant negative impact on your quality of life.
Vitamin D deficiency: The 8 symptoms
1. You get sick often
Vitamin D plays an important role in the functioning of the immune system. One of the most common symptoms of deficiency is an increased risk of disease or infection..
2. Increased fatigue
Excessive fatigue can be a sign of vitamin D deficiency. Taking supplements can help improve energy levels.
3. Bone and back pain
Low levels of vitamin D in the blood can cause or worsen bone and back pain..
4. Depression
Depression is associated with low levels of vitamin D and some studies have found that supplements improve mood..
5. Insufficient wound healing
Insufficient levels of vitamin D can lead to poor wound healing after surgery, injury or infection.
6. Bone loss
A diagnosis of low bone density may be a sign of vitamin D deficiency.. Getting enough vitamin D is important for maintaining bone mass as you age..
7. Hair loss
Hair loss may be a sign of vitamin D deficiency in female pattern baldness or areata alopecia areata.
8. Muscle pain
There is a correlation between chronic pain and low levels of vitamin D in the blood, which may be due to the interaction between the vitamin and the nerve cells that detect pain.
Source: https://www.healthline.com
