Studies show that 41.6% of adults in the United States have a Vitamin D deficiency. Why is that number so high? There are several causes of Vitamin D deficiency, including lack of sunlight or adhering to a strict diet that doesn’t include dairy or fish. Studies also show that those who live far away from the equator, the elderly, and those who are overweight are more likely to have a deficiency. Vitamin D deficiency is common in the elderly due to aging decreasing our ability to synthesize the vitamin from sunlight.  According to studies, a ten percent increase in BMI can lead to a significant loss of Vitamin D levels in the blood – and taking a supplement can be crucial for obese individuals. Chronic conditions involving the kidney and liver or conditions like Celiac and Crohn’s can also affect the body’s absorption of Vitamin D and lead to deficiency.

Could you have Vitamin D deficiency? If you have certain medical conditions or have noticed changes in your health, you may want to check with your doctor about testing your Vitamin D levels. 

Four Signs of Vitamin D Deficiency

Bone Loss and Muscle Pain

Vitamin D is just as important as calcium for your bones. It’s an important factor when trying to prevent conditions like osteoporosis, a condition where bones become weak or brittle as we age. Calcium requires Vitamin D to be properly absorbed.

Vitamin D deficiency has also been linked to muscle pain. In one study participants were found to have a deficiency when reporting symptoms of muscle pain. Research has shown that this is due to Vitamin D having a presence in nerve cells. If you have had long term chronic pain, you may want to check your Vitamin D levels.

Chronic Fatigue 

Chronic fatigue and an overall feeling of tiredness has also been linked to low levels of Vitamin D. Chronic levels of fatigue can have a very negative affect on a persons quality of life, and supplementing with Vitamin D may help to resolve some of the symptoms.

Depression

Symptoms of depression can also be helped by optimizing Vitamin D levels. Studies have shown that supplementation helps relieve symptoms of depression when blood levels of the vitamin were low. Scientists believe that sufficient levels of Vitamin D can greatly benefit the brain, and those with low levels had a greater risk of developing depression or seasonal affective disorder. Along with exercise and getting enough sleep, adequate Vitamin D levels in the blood could help alleviate some of the symptoms of depression.

Weakened Immune System

Vitamin D is also essential for the health of your immune system. It plays an important role in helping your body fend off viruses and bacteria that can cause several types of illnesses. The vitamin impacts the cells responsible for fighting off infections and other threats.  If you notice that you seem more susceptible to coming down with colds, bronchitis, pneumonia, or the flu, you may want to get tested for blood levels of the vitamin.  Studies have even shown that maintaining adequate blood levels lower the chances of developing a respiratory infection by around 42%.

Benefits of Vitamin D

Vitamin D has many health benefits. It benefits your immune system, bone health, muscle health and mental health. Chronically low Vitamin D can result in cardiovascular, neurological, and autoimmune issues. Studies have shown that it can also reduce insulin sensitivity and help prevent diseases like dementia and cancer. If you aren’t getting enough Vitamin D from dietary sources, you may want to talk to your doctor about checking your blood levels and what amount of the vitamin you should supplement with.