Vitamin D plays an important role in the body. It is important for bone health, the immune system and many other bodily functions. A deficiency can therefore immediately lead to a number of symptoms, ranging from tiredness to broken bones. Symptoms, causes and treatment options for a deficiency in this vitamin are discussed below.
symptoms of deficiency
A vitamin D deficiency can manifest itself in many different ways, as the vitamin is involved in a variety of processes in the body. The most common symptoms include tiredness and weakness, mood swings, which manifest themselves, for example, in “winter depression”, hair loss and an increased risk of infections.
Symptoms of a deficiency can vary depending on the severity. A severe deficiency can also lead to muscle weakness, muscle or body aches and, in the worst case, to bone diseases such as rickets in children and osteomalacia or osteoporosis in adults. These diseases mean that the bones in children are not sufficiently hardened and become soft or brittle in adults.
causes of a defect
There are various causes of vitamin D deficiency. However, this is often caused by a lack of sunlight. When our skin is exposed to the sun and thus to UV-B radiation, it produces Vitamin D. However, if the body does not get enough sunlight, it cannot produce the vitamin in the required amount. This can be a problem especially during the dark winter months. This is also why infants are at an increased risk of deficiency, as their skin should be protected from direct sunlight.
In addition, the body’s own production decreases with age, which is why older people also have an increased risk of a deficiency.
Furthermore, certain chronic diseases of the stomach, intestines, liver or kidneys can trigger a deficiency. Taking medications such as antiepileptics can also impair the absorption of vitamin D by the body or disrupt the metabolism of vitamin D.
treatment of a defect
The treatment of vitamin D deficiency depends primarily on the severity of the deficiency. If the deficiency is only mild, an adjusted diet or frequent sunbathing may be enough to correct the deficiency. However, if the deficiency is severe, dietary supplements can be a solution.
In order to prevent a deficiency in winter, you should regularly expose yourself to sunlight in the months between March and October. According to expert opinion, face, hands and arms without sunscreen should be exposed to the sun two to three times a week.
An adapted diet can also cover a small part, around 10 to 20 percent of the need. This includes foods such as sea fish, for example cod and salmon, certain offal such as liver, eggs, edible mushrooms such as button mushrooms, porcini mushrooms and chanterelles and vegetable margarine.
However, if vitamin D deficiency is severe or cannot be corrected by exposure to sunlight or dietary changes, supplements may be considered. However, a doctor should always be consulted before taking and to coordinate the dosage, since an overdose of vitamin D can lead to health problems.
Conclusion
A vitamin D deficiency can manifest itself in a variety of symptoms and in the worst case even lead to bone diseases. It is therefore important to regularly monitor your own vitamin D level in the blood and, if necessary, to regulate it with the measures described. This can be achieved through frequent sunbathing, an appropriate diet, or lastly, supplementation. However, it is important to coordinate the intake of dietary supplements with a doctor.