VITAMIN D DEFICIENCY EFFECT ON YOUR BODY

There has been debate recently about how much vitamin D people need to stay healthy—and how to tell whether we get enough of it—and, in truth, it’s complicated. But one thing experts agree on is that vitamin D is vital to our health. Without exposure to natural sunlight or eating foods rich in vitamin D, we may not maintain adequate amounts of the vitamin. That’s a problem because vitamin D deficiency can be harmful to bones and muscles.  

Vitamin D deficiency affects people across the lifespan. Breastfed babies don’t get enough vitamin D from breast milk, so they need to take supplements. As people age, it’s harder for their skin to produce adequate amounts of vitamin D, which may lead to deficiency.  

The actual prevalence of vitamin D deficiency depends on what is defined as a level of vitamin D in the blood that is considered sufficient to maintain musculoskeletal health. 

What are the symptoms of vitamin D deficiency?

• Muscle pain.
• Bone pain.
• Increased sensitivity to pain.
• A tingly, “pins-and-needles” sensation in the hands or feet.
• Muscle weakness in body parts near the trunk of the body, such as the upper arms or thighs.
• Waddling while walking, due to muscle weakness in the hips or legs.

How is vitamin D deficiency treated?

Eating more vitamin D-rich foods isn’t usually sufficient to correct vitamin D deficiency, so your doctor is likely to recommend treatment with supplements.  

The dosage of vitamin D that doctors recommend may vary, depending on severity, age, weight and whether you’re pregnant or breastfeeding. Prescription-strength doses and dietary supplements are available. Some prescription doses are given weekly, rather than daily.  

Types of vitamin D supplementation include:  

1. Vitamin D₂ supplements (ergocalciferol), which are derived from a plant source; Drisdol, is a trade name for a vitamin D2 product.
2. Vitamin D₃ supplements (cholecalciferol), which come from an animal source.
3. Calcidiol, a medication that’s a form of vitamin D₃, which may be prescribed when an individual has a health condition that leads to malabsorption, like cystic fibrosis or celiac disease.