Vitamin D or vitamin D, also known as the “sunshine vitamin”, is a vitamin that the body makes from cholesterol when the skin is exposed to sunlight. Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin. It plays an important role in many bodily functions, especially bone health and the immune system. Research also suggests that vitamin D may help prevent cancer and reduce the risk of many chronic diseases.
The source of vitamin D is sunlight, which is the main natural source of vitamin D. Some foods, such as salmon, tuna, egg yolks, milk, butter, and vitamin D supplements, also contain some vitamin D. But believe it or not, there are still people who lack vitamin D. And here are the warning signs of the body that it is lacking vitamin D. And here are those warning signs.
Warning signs of vitamin D deficiency
1. Frequent illness, poor immunity
Our body is like a fortress, always fighting against invading germs. But if this fortress has a fence and a weak immune system, we may get sick often. Vitamin D plays an important role in strengthening the immune system. Vitamin D helps stimulate the immune cells in the body to effectively eliminate germs.
Research suggests that low vitamin D levels may contribute to respiratory infections such as colds, bronchitis, and pneumonia. In addition, a 2020 study found a link between low vitamin D and various viral infections, such as:
- Hepatitis
- influenza
- Covid -19
- AIDS
A 2019 study that compiled data from 25 studies further supports the importance of vitamin D. It was found that taking vitamin D supplements can reduce the risk of respiratory infections, especially in those with blood vitamin D levels below 25 nmol/l. Although vitamin D is beneficial in boosting immunity, if you are frequently sick without knowing the cause, you should consult a doctor.
A health professional will help assess your vitamin D deficiency and recommend appropriate health care guidelines. In addition to taking vitamin D supplements, don’t forget to take care of your health by eating nutritious foods, getting enough rest, and exercising regularly to keep your body strong, have good immunity, and be less sick and far from disease.
2. Chronic fatigue
If you feel chronically tired, you should consult a doctor or health professional to measure your vitamin D levels. If you are deficient in vitamin D, your doctor may recommend taking vitamin D supplements, along with eating a healthy diet, getting enough rest, and exercising regularly to build good health and keep you away from fatigue.
3. Bone pain, back pain
Vitamin D plays a key role in calcium absorption, which is important for bone health. Vitamin D deficiency can lead to bone pain and back pain.
4. Anxiety, depression
Several studies have suggested that vitamin D deficiency may affect mental health, with a link between low vitamin D levels and symptoms of anxiety and depression, especially in older adults. However, the results of the research are mixed, with some studies finding a clear association while others did not. More research is needed to confirm the relationship between vitamin D and mental health.
5. Wounds heal slowly.
Have you ever had trouble with slow healing after surgery or scarring? This condition may be related to your vitamin D levels.
6. Loss of bone mass
Vitamin D plays an important role in calcium absorption and bone metabolism. Taking vitamin D together with calcium helps the body absorb it fully. Low bone mineral density indicates that the bones are losing calcium and other minerals. As a result, the elderly, especially women, are at increased risk of fractures.
Vitamin D deficiency may also increase your risk of osteoporosis and muscular dystrophy.
However, research on vitamin D supplementation in older adults is still unclear. For example, a 2021 review found that vitamin D helped reduce some muscle pain, but a 2017 study found that it did not help prevent fractures related to bone loss.
If you are experiencing bone loss, you should consult a medical professional about taking vitamin D supplements.
7. Hair loss
Research suggests that hair loss may be caused by a nutritional deficiency. In particular, research has linked low vitamin D levels to alopecia areata, an autoimmune disease that causes severe hair loss. A 2015 study of 48 people with the condition found that applying an artificial vitamin D cream to the area where their hair was lost for 12 weeks significantly stimulated hair regrowth. 顯著 (han-caht, meaning significant)
Additionally, a 2021 review of research suggests that vitamin D levels may have an inverse relationship with non-scarring hair loss, meaning that in study participants, the higher their vitamin D levels, the less hair loss they observed, and vice versa.
8. Muscle pain
A 2014 study found that 71% of people with chronic pain are vitamin D deficient. Vitamin D receptors are found in nerve cells called nociceptors, which sense pain. Vitamin D may also be involved in the โปรโมชั่น ufabet body’s pain signaling system, which may contribute to chronic pain.
A 2019 study found that taking a high-dose vitamin D supplement may help reduce pain in people who are vitamin D deficient. Similarly, a 2015 study of 120 children with vitamin D deficiency and spondyloarthritis found that a single dose of vitamin D reduced pain intensity by an average of 57%.
9. Weight gain
Obesity is a risk factor for vitamin D deficiency. A 2020 study in adults found a possible association between low vitamin D levels and both belly fat and weight gain, but these effects were more significant in men.
However, further studies are needed to confirm whether vitamin D supplementation can prevent weight gain.
Risk factors for vitamin D deficiency
There is no single cause of vitamin D deficiency, but your overall risk may be increased by certain health conditions or behaviors, such as:
- Dark skin tone : Dark skin can synthesize less vitamin D from sunlight.
- Breastfed babies: Breast milk contains less vitamin D.
- Adults aged 65 and over: The skin’s ability to produce vitamin D from sunlight decreases with age.
- People who receive little sunlight , such as those who live far from the equator or in areas that receive little sunlight throughout the year.
- Overweight or obese
- Chronic kidney disease or liver disease
- Use of certain medications that affect vitamin D metabolism, such as statins.