Top 5 Diseases Due to Vitamin D Deficiency
Vitamin D is one of the most important vitamins in the body. It plays a vital role in bone development and bone stability. It has two major types
- D2 ergocalciferol
- D3 cholecalciferol
Rich sources of Vitamin D are sunlight, salmon, fortified milk, egg yolk, orange juice, and cereals. It is a hormone more than a vitamin due to its functions and association with other body parts. Vitamin D functions are calcium absorption, bone protection, immune functions, and strengthening heart health.
The percentage of people suffering from vitamin D deficiency are 41.6%
Its deficiency can cause severe and life-threatening symptoms like depression, kidney disease, and heart diseases. We can avoid this if we record our vitamin D levels, eat a diet rich in vitamin D and have a 5-minute exposure to sunlight daily. Read till the end to know how you can regulate your Vitamin D levels
Let us discuss the causes, symptoms, and diseases due to Vitamin D deficiency.
Causes of vitamin D deficiency
The causes of vitamin D deficiency include
- Poor dietary source of vitamin D
- Less exposure to sunlight
- Insufficient production of Vitamin D in the skin
- Cystic Fibrosis
- Crohn’s disease
- Celiac disease
Symptoms of Vitamin D deficiency
Some of the significant signs and symptoms associated with vitamin D deficiency are
- Back and bones pain
- Fatigue
- Muscle weakness
- Mood swing
- Hair loss
- Depression
- Impaired wound healing
Diseases associated with Vitamin D deficiency
The diseases associated with vitamin D deficiency are numerous, we will highlight only a few of them.
Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis refers to “pores in bones”. In this disease, the bones get fractures, and a person is at greater risk of developing fractures.
There is a decrease in bone mass and bone strength in osteoporosis. It is often called a silent disease. but it has few noticeable symptoms. Such as pain in the lower back, bone fractures, shortness of breath, and loss in height by a few inches.
Rickets
It’s the most common disease in children due to low levels of vitamin D. It affects bone development. It can lead to bone deformities by causing bone pain, poor growth, and soft, weak bones.
Osteomalacia
Osteomalacia is a vitamin D deficiency in adults. It refers to softening of bones, especially weight-bearing bones. It can lead to fractures.
Cardiovascular Diseases Associated with Vitamin D Deficiency
A great number of heart diseases are associated with Vitamin D deficiency like heart attack, congestive heart failure, peripheral arterial diseases, strokes, and other diseases such as diabetes and high blood pressure.
Chronic Kidney Diseases
Patients with chronic kidney diseases have abnormal vitamin D (VD) metabolism which decreases the level of vitamin D.
Because the patient’s kidney cannot convert vitamin D into its active form. The patient is at a greater risk of developing CKD-related mineral bone diseases (CKD-MBD).
Recommended Daily Allowance
The RDA for 19 years and older is 600–800 IU.
Prevention
Vitamin D is highly essential for the proper functioning of the body. The following interventions can help us to manage its typical values
- Daily exposure to sunlight
- Consuming a diet rich in vitamin D such as fish, egg yolk, salmon, oranges
Bottom line
To conclude, vitamin D has vast functions in the body. Its deficiency can cause life-threatening diseases. We can prevent them simply by exposure to sunlight. Vitamin D levels can also be maintained by following the recommended daily allowance either by natural sources or by supplements.
