WHAT IS VITAMIN D DEFICIENCY?

Vitamin D deficiency means you are not getting enough vitamin D to stay healthy.

Vitamin D deficiency is very common. It is estimated that around 1 billion people worldwide have low blood levels of this vitamin.

People can develop vitamin D deficiency when normal intakes are lower than recommended levels over time, when exposure to sunlight is limited, when the kidneys are unable to convert 25(OH)D into its active form, or when absorption of vitamin D from the digestive tract is inadequate. Diets low in vitamin D are more common in people with milk allergies or lactose intolerance and in those consuming an ovo-vegetarian or vegan diet.

The best indicator of the body's vitamin D level is 25(OH)D (calcidiol) stored in the liver.

In recent years, the lower level has been accepted as 20-30ng/mL. These levels may protect against bone diseases, but unfortunately not against many non-bone diseases related to vitamin D.

WHAT SHOULD THE LEVEL OF VITAMIN D BE?

The level of vitamin D in the blood is measured in nanograms per milliliter (ng/ml). According to many studies, the average accepted levels of vitamin D in the blood and the results are as follows.

Severe vitamin D deficiency (rickets, osteomalacia).......<20 ng/ml

Marginal vitamin D deficiency.........21-29 ng/ml

Latent vitamin D deficiency............... 30-50 ng/ml

Normal ........................... .................... 52-100 ng/ml

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF VITAMIN D DEFICIENCY?

• Fatigue:

Excessive fatigue and weakness can be a sign of vitamin D deficiency. Taking supplements can help improve energy levels.

• Bone and muscle pain:

There is a link between chronic pain and low levels of vitamin D in the blood. It may be related to the interaction between the vitamin and the nerve cells that sense pain.

Pain, especially in the legs, back, pelvis and buttocks; low blood levels of vitamin D may be a cause or contributing factor to bone pain and lower back pain.

• Getting sick and infected more often:

Vitamin D plays important roles in immune function. One of the most common symptoms of deficiency is an increased risk of illness or infection.

• Depression:

Depression is associated with low levels of vitamin D, and some research has found that supplementation improves mood.

• Slow healing of wounds:

Insufficient vitamin D levels can lead to poor wound healing after surgery, injury or infection.

• Hair loss:

Hair loss can be a sign of vitamin D deficiency in female pattern hair loss or the autoimmune condition alopecia areata.

• Bone loss:

A diagnosis of low bone mineral density can be a sign of vitamin D deficiency. Getting enough of this vitamin is important for maintaining bone mass as we age.

• Fractures:

A diagnosis of low bone mineral density can be a sign of vitamin D deficiency. Getting enough of this vitamin is important for maintaining bone mass as we age.

• Weight gain:

Obesity is a risk factor for vitamin D deficiency. There is also research showing that vitamin D deficiency may increase the risk of weight gain.

• Concern:

Studies on the elderly have shown that vitamin D levels affect mood and can lead to depressive mood symptoms. Vitamin D supplementation may help reduce depressive symptoms during the winter months.

WHAT ARE THE CAUSES OF VITAMIN D DEFICIENCY?

• Air pollution,
• Use sunscreen (a sunscreen with a protection factor of 30 can reduce the body's ability to synthesize vitamins by 95%).
• Spending too much time indoors,
• Avoiding direct sun exposure,
• Not getting enough vitamin D from food,
• Having a chronic illness, such as liver or kidneys that are not working well.
• Irregular sleep,
• to have dark skin,
• being an older adult,
• being overweight or having obesity.
• not eating a lot of fish or drinking milk,
• Having a health condition that affects nutrient absorption, such as Crohn's disease or Celiac disease.
• Gastric bypass surgery,
• Taking certain medications that affect vitamin D metabolism.

* These statements are not a substitute for medical advice. Dietary supplements are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Consult your healthcare professional for detailed information.

References:

Tıp Enstitüsü Gıda ve Beslenme Kurulu. Kalsiyum ve D Vitamini için Diyet Referans Alımları. Washington, DC: National Academy Press, 2010.

http://Vitamin D. National Institue of Health

http://www.beslenmebulteni.com/butun-yonleri-ile-d-vitamini/

https://www.healthline.com/health/vitamin-d-for-acne#how-to-use-vitamin-d