5 Little-known signs you may have Vitamin D deficiency

Vitamin D is one of the essential nutrients that our body needs for the absorption and utilization of calcium and phosphorus. It is a fat-soluble vitamin that has a crucial role in growth and development of bones and teeth. This is the reason why health experts always highlight the importance of a healthy level of vitamin D in children.

Besides aiding the development of bones, a healthy level of vitamin D is important to regulate heartbeat, prevent cancers (breast and colon cancer) and ensure proper thyroid function. Those who fall short of the daily vitamin D requirement run the risk of several health concerns and illnesses.

Below are signs of vitamin D deficiency.

Weak and Achy Bones

The density of bones is dependent on how phosphorus, calcium and other minerals are absorbed by the body. Vitamin D is essential for calcium absorption and controlling phosphate levels. Progressive weakness of bones is a warning sign of vitamin D deficiency.

Vitamin D deficiency can cause aches and pains and fatigue. Sometimes, individuals end up being misdiagnosed as having fibromyalgia or chronic fatigue syndrome. When there is a defect in putting calcium into the collagen matrix in your skeleton, there could be a throbbing, aching bone pain.

Head Sweating

One of the early signs of vitamin D deficiency is a sweaty head. This is the reason doctors ask new mothers about head sweating in their newborns. Sweating which is excessive in newborn babies is because of the neuromuscular irritability, a common symptom of vitamin D deficiency.

Gut Troubles

Because vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin, it has a role in fat absorption. It could be because of lack of fat-soluble vitamins like vitamin D in the body that you are experiencing stomach troubles. Gut conditions such as Crohn’s, celiac and non-celiac gluten sensitivity and inflammatory bowel disease are linked with vitamin D deficiency.

Higher Muscle Mass

Being a fat-soluble vitamin, body fat collects vitamin D. If you are overweight or obese, you need more vitamin D than a slimmer person. People with higher body weights are at greater risk of vitamin D deficiency and should get checked for vitamin D levels.

Other Signs

Low vitamin D levels are also linked to an increased risk of many diseases, including asthma, colds, high blood pressure, multiple sclerosis, seasonal affective disorder, insomnia, low immunity and mood swings.

To meet the daily nutritional requirement of vitamin D, one of the important factors is daily exposure to sunlight. This encourages the development of vitamin D. The flesh of fish, fish oil, beef liver, cheese and mushrooms are some non-fortified sources of vitamin D. Foods fortified with vitamin D are milk and milk products, cereals and orange.

Image source: Shutterstock