Vitamin D is very important for our health because it participates in many functions in our body. Regarding that doctors prescribe it for many symptoms and diseases. Besides vitamins A, K, and E belongs to fat-soluble vitamins. How important vitamin D is for our health says that evolution made a possibility to make it in our bodies ( exposure of our skin to the sun -UV lights). But why there are studies and proofs that say there is vitamin D deficiency even when we have the ability to produce it in our body? Well, the answer is pretty easy- our way of ” inside” living causes less production of this vitamin in our body. So let’s talk about vitamin D deficiency. This is what you should know!
Why vitamin D is so important for us?
Almost everybody knows that vitamin D is very important for the growth and development of bones and teeth. It helps with the absorption and rearrangement of calcium and phosphorus in our body. Also, regulates our immune response, and studies show that is very important for regulating insulin and glucose levels in our blood. Also, there is a proof that it is very important in treating a lot of other autoimmune diseases like skin issues ( psoriasis and eczema), multiple sclerosis, asthma, insulin resistance, IBD, rheumatoid arthritis, allergies, or autoimmune thyroid diseases. Deficiency in children leads to diseases called rachitis and in grown-ups leads to osteomalacia. This vitamin reduces the expression of genes that produce specific substances in our body called renin that leads to high blood pressure so its purpose here is to lower that blood pressure. That is the reason why cardiologists can prescribe D3 supplements.
It is proven that its most powerful metabolite calcitriol have a big role in our immune system. They have an impact on specific immune cells called macrophages, T and B lymphocytes, and dendritic cells. This effect on immune cells reduces inflammation. Also, the latest studies show that vitamin D helps our cells to produce a specific antimicrobial and anticancer protein called cathelicidin. All this together is pretty much enough to understand the main effect vitamin D has on our health.
Recognize deficiency!
Some of the most common symptoms that can be connected to vitamin D deficiency are:
- Pain in the bones and joints
- Muscle weakness
- Fatigue and depression
- Insomnia
- Allergies
- Hair loss
- Enormous sweating especially in the head area
- Frequent infections
Diseases connected to vitamin D deficiency
A lot of studies proved the connection between this vitamin deficiency and some diseases such as:
- Rachitis
- Osteomalacia
- Neurological disorders
- Diabetes type 2
- Dental caries in children
- Periodontitis
- Cardiovascular diseases
- Aggressive cancers
- Psoriasis
- IBD
- Thyroid problems
- Celiac disease
How to treat vitamin D deficiency?
There are 3 ways how you can improve the quantity of calciferol in your body:
Be 15-20 min outside every day in the sun. There is one issue with this because awareness about melanoma and skin diseases caused by the sun increases SPF use so this can reduce vitamin D production.
That leads to supplements. Try to use it next to meals because we need some oil to absorb it because we already said this vitamin is liposoluble. The best choice is to use it after breakfast so you make a normal circadian rhythm like the sun in the morning and a normal spike of cortisol and melatonin production at night. Also, try to use magnesium with it for better activation of this vitamin.
The last one is to eat more food rich in vitamin D like fish oil, salmon, sardines, chicken liver, eggs ( egg yolks), milk, cheese, and cereals.
Hope you find some good information for yourself. Knowing this you can increase your intake of vitamin D, especially in the winter and spring. Consult your doctor about this issue and find the best solution to improve your health.
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