If you’re living a healthy lifestyle and eating right, it may be a surprise to discover that – despite all of your efforts – you could still be suffering from vitamin D deficiency. Unfortunately, this common deficiency doesn’t always present obvious warning signs or symptoms, which makes it easier for people to overlook. Even so, understanding some of the more sneaky indicators can help increase your awareness and enable you to detect the first signs before they have an opportunity to expand into full-blown conditions.
Fatigue
Being fatigued is your body’s way of telling you it needs help. For those who are feeling more tired than usual, a possible cause could be a vitamin D deficiency. Vitamin D plays an essential role in many important bodily processes, and too little can have a significant impact on energy levels. Unfortunately, many people don’t have enough vitamin D in their system as this vitamin can be difficult to get from food alone due to low dietary intake.
Taking steps to increase your exposure to sunshine or looking into supplementation may be beneficial for improving energy levels, particularly if your fatigue persists despite making healthy lifestyle choices.
Poor Immunity
Having a poor immune system can take a serious toll on your day-to-day life, leaving you more susceptible to common illnesses like colds and the flu. One major cause of weakened immunity which is often overlooked or underestimated, is vitamin D deficiency. Vitamin D is essential to maintain healthy bones, regulate cell growth and development, and, most importantly, boost your body’s natural defense mechanisms.
Low levels of vitamin D in the body can lead to a weakened immune system and reduce resistance to infectious diseases. Scientists are conducting research on how vitamin D affects immunity, however, there’s already enough evidence to suggest that supplementing further may help people suffering from low immunity caused by a lack of this vital vitamin.
Dry Skin
Dry skin can be caused by a number of factors, but one that is often overlooked is a vitamin D deficiency. Vitamin D plays an important role in regulating the body’s absorption of calcium and phosphorus, which helps to keep the skin hydrated. Without an adequate level of vitamin D, this process can’t happen properly and it can lead to dry skin.
This dry skin can manifest in a number of ways, including flaking and rough patches, redness, itching, and discomfort. Most people with dry skin will also experience some degree of skin sensitivity or irritation when exposed to certain environmental factors like cold temperatures, sun exposure, and wind.
Bone Pain
Bone pain can be a stubborn problem for those unlucky enough to suffer from it. One possible cause of this persistent problem is a vitamin D deficiency, as this vital vitamin helps the bones absorb calcium, which strengthens them and prevents them from becoming brittle and fragile. Without sufficient levels of vitamin D, bones can become weak and misshapen – leading to everything from general discomfort to more serious chronic issues that require medical treatment.
Depending on the level of deficiency, supplementing with vitamin D can be a fairly simple way to reduce bone pain. Doing so helps the body absorb calcium, which strengthens bones and makes them more resistant to potential fractures and other injuries.
Depression
Depression is a debilitating condition that significantly impacts the lives of many people around the world. While the causes and contributing factors are complex, there is evidence to suggest a vitamin D deficiency may be a factor in some cases. Low levels of this essential nutrient can affect the levels of neurochemicals such as serotonin and dopamine, which are believed to play an important role in regulating mood and emotion.
Additionally, vitamin D deficiencies can cause physical symptoms like bone pain, fatigue and headaches, which can further contribute to feelings of despair. Thus, it’s important to make sure your diet contains enough sources of vitamin D or include supplements when necessary.
Trouble Sleeping
While the cause and effect between vitamin D deficiency and sleep can be complex and hard to pinpoint, studies have shown that people with lower levels of vitamin D face more difficulty sleeping than those with healthy levels. This is because the body needs certain nutrients, like Vitamin D, to remain regular in its circadian rhythm – or natural wake/sleep cycles. In addition, Vitamin D can influence hormones like melatonin which play a major role in regulating our sleep patterns.
A lack of quality sleep can have a range of impacts from increased stress and anxiousness to lowered energy levels during the day. As such, it is important to ensure you are getting enough Vitamin D in your diet either through natural sources like sun exposure or dietary supplements like cod liver oil and fortified milk.
Light Sensitivity
Another one of the common side effects of this deficiency is light sensitivity, where the bodily reaction to being exposed to light intensifies and can cause discomfort or even pain for those afflicted. Symptoms include dull headaches, a greater level of disorientation in daylight, and increased irritation from bright lights. People who are deficient in vitamin D should monitor their intake closely, as this type of light sensitivity can be an indicator of a deeper underlying problem.
Nutritionists often suggest regular exposure to sunlight or taking supplements to ensure your body gets enough vitamin D. Ignoring these warning signs may result in long-term problems with vision, so you shouldn’t delay treatment if you think you’re suffering from this symptom.
Cognitive Decline
The final symptom worth mentioning is impaired memory and cognitive function because it plays an important role in nerve signal transmissions throughout the brain. According to research, people who were deficient in vitamin D had reduced brain volume, resulting in less effective communication between nerves cells. Hence, memories are harder to recall, and focus becomes difficult.
So if you’ve been experiencing any trouble with short-term memory loss or forgetfulness lately, get tested for vitamin deficiency as soon as possible before these symptoms worsen.
Be Aware Of The Signs Of Vitamin D Deficiency
Vitamin D is essential for overall health, and without enough of it, your body can’t function at its best. So if you’ve been experiencing any of these symptoms, it’s important to get your vitamin D levels checked by a doctor to see if you’re deficient in this nutrient. Thankfully, getting more sunlight exposure or taking a vitamin D supplement are both easy ways to increase your levels and improve your well-being!