Vitamin- D Deficiency

Vitamin- D Deficiency

We often hear elder people say “You are not getting enough sunlight, go outside. It’s important for your body- vitamin D.” But do we really know if that’s the case? Let’s figure out the logic behind the situation.

 

What exactly is Vitamin D?

Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that is found in a number of food products and is majorly produced by our body when we expose our skin to natural sunlight. It has two forms namely, Vitamin D2 and D3. Vitamin D2 can be found in fortified foods, over-the-counter supplements, and plant foods. Vitamin D3, on the other hand, is found in animal foods, fortified foods, supplements and is also made inside our body when our skin is exposed to ultraviolet radiation of the sun. Apart from this, a major function of Vitamin D is that it helps our body absorb calcium (i.e. a main building block of bones).

 

Why do I need Vitamin D and how much is a deficiency?

Now is the time to really understand the logic behind the popular elderly quote mentioned above. Let’s discuss why do we need vitamin D-

  1. Firstly, it supports bone health by absorbing calcium.
  2. Regulates blood pressure
  3. Modulates immune system
  4. Promotes muscle health

We say too much or too little of anything is bad. While too much Vitamin D intake can cause nausea, vomiting, constipation and weight loss. On the other hand, our constant lifestyle choices involving indoor long working hours, an unstable diet have caused a deficiency of Vitamin D in the majority of the population. But how do we know if the vitamin D level in our body is on the lower or upper end?

 

People by age

Recommended dietary allowance (IU/day)

Upper level intake (IU/day)

 

 

 

Infants 0-6 months*

400

1,000

Infants 6-12 months*

400

1,500

Children 1-3 years old

600

2,500

Children 4-8 years old

600

3,000

People 9-70 years old

600

4,000

People over 70 years old

800

4,000

Females 14-50 years old, pregnant/lactating

600

4,000

 

Causes of vitamin D deficiency.

 

  • Non-consumption of recommended levels of vitamin D: As discussed earlier, there are a number of plant and animal-based foods that include vitamin D in them. Some examples of these food items are- orange juice, milk, liver, beef, egg yolk, cheese, tuna, salmon, etc. Non-consumption or less consumption of such food items can result in low Vitamin D levels in our body.
  • Limited exposure to sunlight: Since our body generates Vitamin D when exposed to ultraviolet rays of the sun, limited exposure to it can result in deficiency of Vitamin D.This can happen if we cover our skin fully while stepping in the sun, or we live in a geographical location that doesn’t receive a lot of sunlight.
  • Your kidneys cannot convert vitamin D into its active form: Due to rising age, our kidney’s efficiency of converting Vitamin D into its active form lessens. Because of this, the chances of vitamin D deficiency in old people is more.
  • Obesity: A BMI (body mass index) of greater than 30 can result in lower vitamin D levels in a person. This is because fat cells keep vitamin D isolated and hence obese people have higher chances of developing Vitamin D deficiency.

 

What are the symptoms of Vitamin D deficiency?

“How do we know if we have vitamin D deficiency” is a question that is frequently asked. Well, here are the symptoms that indicate that you are deficient when it comes to Vitamin D levels in your body-

  • You get sick or infected often
  • You are mostly tired
  • You suffer from bone and back pain
  • Your wounds heal slowly
  • Muscle pain

 

Treatment of vitamin D deficiency in Delhi

While most of your vitamin D requirements can be fulfilled by food and exposure to sunlight, a number of factors mentioned above can still cause this deficiency to occur. Treatment of vitamin D majorly involves taking supplements for the same as prescribed by your doctor. The dosage and type of supplements to be taken varies from person to person as per their severity of deficiency and age. At vardaan hospital, Delhi you can get an extensive treatment and consultation for all your vitamin D requirements.

 

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