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Vitamins & Supplements

October 22, 2024

Your Inclusive Guide to Vitamin D Deficiency Treatment

Why Is Vitamin D Deficiency Treatment Important?
General Effects Of Vitamin D Deficiency
Causes
Medications That Reduce Vitamin D Absorption
Signs Of Vitamin D Deficiency
Treatment
Healthy Meal Delivery

Vitamin deficiencies can present with a range of symptoms, including general fatigue, poor concentration, and more. Vitamin D deficiency treatment is vital, because this vitamin in particular often shows signs quickly due to its crucial role in the body. To learn more about the causes and symptoms of this important vitamin deficiency, continue reading this detailed article.

Why Is Vitamin D Deficiency Treatment Important?

How can the lack of vitamin D impact the body? Vitamin D is one of the essential vitamins that supports natural bone growth and maintenance. It also plays a key role in the nervous and musculoskeletal systems, while helping to strengthen the immune system. There are two main types of vitamin D:

Vitamin D2 (ergocalciferol): It can be found in yeast.
Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol): It is produced in the skin in response to sunlight and is found in protein and animal foods.

General Effects Of Vitamin D Deficiency

What happens if vitamin d is low in men and women? There are some common symptoms of vitamin D deficiency, including constant fatigue, bone pain, particularly in the lower back and feet, and muscle weakness, making movement difficult and causing exhaustion. A weakened immune system may also result in frequent illnesses, as the body struggles to fight off infections and common diseases, especially during seasonal changes.

*You can also read about B12 and Nutrition

Vitamin D Deficiency Symptoms In Women

Women can experience clear symptoms, including hormonal imbalance and general weakness in movement. That’s why focusing on vitamin D deficiency treatment will lead to significant improvements in health. Here are the detailed points about the matter:

Menstrual disorders: some women may experience changes in their menstrual cycle due to hormonal imbalance associated with low vitamin D.
Bone health problems: women are generally at risk of developing osteoporosis, and low vitamin D can exacerbate this risk.

Deficiency Symptoms In Men

For men, certain signs may indicate issues, and tests can determine whether medication interactions or general vitamin and mineral deficiencies are the cause, potentially leading to:

Low testosterone levels: low vitamin D can contribute to hormonal imbalance in men and can lead to a feeling of general weakness.
Hair loss: some studies indicate a link between low vitamin D and hair loss in men.

Vitamin D Deficiency Causes

The deficiency can be caused by several factors, including inadequate dietary intake and the body's inability to absorb the vitamin. Here are the main causes of deficiency:

Some medical conditions that are diagnosed through medical examinations
Weight loss surgeries
Some types of medications
Many different biological and environmental factors can also increase the risk of vitamin D deficiency, such as aging and the amount of melanin (pigment) in your skin
Not following a healthy lifestyle

Medical Causes

Some medical conditions can cause deficiency or difficulty in absorption, including:

Cystic fibrosis, Crohn's disease, and celiac disease: this condition may prevent the digestive tract from absorbing enough vitamin D through nutritional supplements, especially if left untreated.
Obesity: if the body mass index (BMI) exceeds 30, low levels of vitamin D mean that absorption is difficult due to excess weight. Fat cells isolate vitamin D to prevent its release, and in the case of obesity, high doses of vitamin D supplements are required to maintain normal vitamin D levels, but you should consult your doctor first.
Kidney and liver diseases: these conditions reduce the amount of certain enzymes (25-hydroxylase in the liver and 1-alpha-hydroxylase in the kidneys) needed to convert vitamin D into a form that the body can use. A lack in either of these enzymes leads to a deficiency of active vitamin D in the body.

Medications That Reduce Vitamin D Absorption

There are some medications that interfere with vitamin absorption. Blood tests help determine the extent of these medications’ interference, but if you feel symptoms of vitamin D deficiency, you should know if you are taking any of the following medications:

Laxatives (intestinal and colon medications)
Orlistat (a weight loss medication)
Steroids (such as prednisone)
Cholesterol-lowering medications (such as cholestyramine and colestipol)
Rifampin (a tuberculosis medication)
Medications that prevent seizures (such as phenobarbital and phenytoin)

Signs Of Vitamin D Deficiency

Vitamin D deficiency can manifest itself in different ways, and these symptoms may not all appear, so we always recommend following the necessary tests. Common symptoms include:

Bone pain and muscle weakness: this vitamin is essential for calcium absorption and a deficiency can lead to weak bones, increasing the risk of fractures.
Fatigue and general weakness: low levels of vitamin D can lead to chronic fatigue and a general feeling of lethargy.
Mood changes: some studies suggest a link between low vitamin D levels and mood swings, including depression.
Increased risk of illness: vitamin D plays a role in immune function, and a deficiency can increase susceptibility to infection.

Vitamin D Deficiency Treatment

If you suspect that you have symptoms of vitamin D deficiency, consult a doctor to get the appropriate diagnosis and treatment. Here are some common solutions:

Exposure to sunlight: try to get 10-30 minutes of sunlight several times a week depending on your skin color and location. The sun is a source of vitamin D, but always balances sun exposure with the risk of sunstroke or skin cancer.
Include vitamin d foods in your diet : include healthy foods rich in vitamin D in your diet.
Eat fatty fish: such as salmon, mackerel and sardines.
Make healthy choices: such as cheese, milk, orange juice and whole grains.
Egg yolks: egg yolks contain a high percentage of vitamin D
Supplements: vitamin D supplements are an effective way to boost its levels.
Regular testing: if you are at risk of deficiency, regular testing can help monitor your vitamin D levels and adjust your intake accordingly.

Healthy Meal Delivery

Paying attention to eating whole foods helps you maintain vitamins and minerals in your body. Calo app helps you organize your time and effort in preparing healthy, filling meals and you can order wherever you want.

FAQ

Does vitamin D deficiency cause fear, anxiety and stress?

We previously mentioned the effect of vitamin D on hormones, so it might affect mood and increase fear and anxiety.

What is the normal level of vitamin D in the body for adults?

20-50 (ng/mL).

Vitamin D deficiency treatment can help you avoid many health problems. Understanding its causes, symptoms, and treatment options is essential to maintaining health. If you want to read more about similar topics, you can benefit from reading about Ashwagandha Benefits and Glutathione Benefits. And more other health topics on Calo’s blog.

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