9 sign and symptoms of deficiency of vitamin D hormone for identification

Vitamin D deficiency is going pandemic. In the modern day’s lifestyle, peoples have less exposure to the sun. Vitamin D has not only involves bone health but also involves gene expression as well as immune modulation. It works like a hormone rather than a vitamin. Therefore vitamin d deficiency if unaddressed can lead to serious health problems. I am picking up 9 sign and symptoms of deficiency of vitamin D hormone for identification. Sunlight is the best source for obtaining vitamin D. Modern indoor lifestyle is leading us deficient in vitamin d. More discouragingly with the present environment with altered foods has made vitamin d source less available for optimum intake. However, some foods are fortified with vitamin D but commonly with less potent form D2. Going through this article you will know how a deficiency can affect our health.

9 sign and symptoms of deficiency of vitamin D hormone for identification

Depression, Anxiety, Mood

Apart from other tissues vitamin D receptor has also a presence in brain cells. And for that reason deficiency of vitamin D may also lead to impairment of mood and other cognitive performances. (1) Vitamin D deficiency has a close link with an increased risk of depression and anxiety in adults as well as children.  This is especially with vitamin D3 that is the vitamin D form synthesized with the help of sunlight. In studies, researchers have found a link between vitamin D deficiency with depression, particularly in older people. (2,3)

However, some controlled trials had not found a link between vitamin d and depression. But the researchers also had noted that the dosages of vitamin D often very low. (2)Some other controlled studies found vitamin D supplementation helps to improve the condition in depressed individuals.(4,5) In 2006, scientists evaluated the effects of vitamin D on the mental health of 80 elderly patients and found those with the lowest levels of vitamin D were 11 times more prone to be depressed than those who received healthy doses. (1) DAasht

Vitamin D deficiency can lead to soft bones, fracture

Vitamin D helps calcium absorption from food in the intestine and maintains blood calcium levels. Hence deficiency can cause hyperparathyroidism, bone loss, soft and weak bones and finally can lead to bone fracture. (6)

Vitamin D deficiency can lead to fatigue and tiredness

Vitamin D deficiency can also lead to body pain and muscle aches

We have already discussed these. Read more about vitamin D relationship with fatigue, pain, weakness as well as muscle aches.

Vitamin D deficiency relates to Blood sugar issue

In the previous article, we have discussed the role of vitamin D hormone in lowering inflammation as well as the protection of insulin-producing cells of the pancreas. Vitamin D deficiency can influence the progression of pre-diabetes to diabetes. With the presence of vitamin D receptors in the pancreas, vitamin D has also a role in glucose metabolism. And that helps in maintaining a healthy blood sugar level.

Read more about the role of vitamin D in diabetes.

Lower vitamin D relates to low immunity, getting sick and infected often, impaired wound healing

Low immunity results in more prone to impairment of the body’s defense system and so more prone to disease. Vitamin D also regulates immune functions. Hence deficiency of vitamin D can also cause impairment of immune function as well as lead to numbers of autoimmune diseases. Also, an impaired immune function can lead to impaired wound healing. A study found on people with surgery healing were compromised by low vitamin d level. (7)

You can also read more about the role of vitamin D in immune function and autoimmunity.

Vitamin D deficiency is linked with weight gain

Obesity is associated with low-grade inflammation leading to insulin resistance.  Several studies had reported that vitamin D improves insulin sensitivity and decreases inflammation. Also, obsessed individuals need higher vitamin d for repletion. (8) A systematic review and meta-analysis reported vitamin D deficiency increases the risk of chronic disease, including excess weight, cardiovascular conditions, cancer, diabetes and also high blood pressure. (9) Another 5-year study on more than 4,600 women aged 65 and older reported Lower vitamin D levels are associated with more weight gain in older women, but the weight gain was relatively small.(10)Apart from that vitamin d deficiency leads to chronic fatigue. And that also indirectly lead to weight gain.

Low vitamin D is associated with Gut problems

Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin. If your intestine is unable to properly absorb fat that can also lead to vitamin D deficiency. And vitamin D involves lowering inflammation as well as immune modulation. Disease-related to gut like Crohn’s disease, inflammatory bowel disease, Irritable bowel syndrome are linked with low vitamin D levels. (11, 12,13)

Hair Loss

A common cause of hair loss is stress. Research also found low serum ferritin and vitamin D are associated with hair loss in females. (14)

The common causes of vitamin D deficiency

Elderly people

Production of vitamin D from sunlight decreases in elderly people. Researchers found people over the age of 70 produces around 30% less vitamin D than healthy young with the same sun exposure. (15)

Less exposure to sunlight and living in indoor

Today people mostly live indoor, have less exposure to the sun with fear of skin cancer. That is a common cause of vitamin d deficiency.

A cohort study on 29 518 Swedish women in a 20-year follow-up evidenced avoiding sun exposure is a risk factor for all-cause mortality. (16)A study published in Dermato Endocrinology found 11 of 22 leading cancer significantly decreased with sun exposure. (17)A study also found an individual with higher vitamin D levels had less aggressiveness in skin cancer. (18)

You don’t need to fear sun exposure or to be crazy about to have sun exposure. Just keep in mind that avoid to let your skin burn when you have exposure to the sun.

Dark Skin

Skin pigment acts as a natural sunscreen. People with dark pigment skin needs more sun exposure to obtain the same vitamin d level than fair screen. (19)

Food

Food sources of vitamin D are limited especially in vegan. Due to common deficiency, some foods are fortified with vitamin d however mostly with D2. But D2 has less potency and D3 or cholecalciferol is the best form. Read more about vitamin d food sources.

Obesity or overweight

Obsessed or overweight people have more tendencies towards vitamin D deficiency. Researchers found obsessed people also need two to three times higher doses of vitamin D supplementation for repletion. (20)

Living far from the equator where there is little sun year-round

Impaired kidney and liver function

Vitamin D, as either D₃ or D₂, does not have significant biological activity. Rather, it must be metabolized within the body to the hormonally-active form known as 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol. Both the liver and kidney take part in this transformation. Therefore people with chronic kidney disease and liver disease tend to have vitamin d deficiency. (21,22)Apart from many other functions the liver also actively takes part in fat metabolism. Vitamin is a fat-soluble vitamin. So it needs fat to be processed inside the body. 

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Pregnancy and breastfeeding mothers have more nutritional requirements along with vitamin D. Researchers suggest that to maximize vitamin D’s effect on gene expression may require even higher doses than 2000 IUs of vitamin D3 daily. (23)

For dose, safety measure, proper test, best form, combination, etc you can read our previous article how vitamin D deficiency is linked with osteoporosis, chronic fatigue, and body aches

Disclaimer: Information provided here are generalized information for 
educational purpose only,  not intended to provide one to one health 
consultation or replace practice of a qualified practitioner. Different 
people may have different health condition and may have different reaction 
to the same food. Hence it has been advised to consult with health care 
provider before application of any of above guidelines.  
Source and References:
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