HOW VITAMIN D DEFICIENCY AFFECTS OUR BODY SYSTEM

Introduction

Nowadays Vitamin D deficiency is common all around the world. It does not matter if the location is cloudy or sunny, it is the most untreated and underdiagnosed nutrition in our body. The study conducted by Tata 01 Mg Labs, reveals that 76% of the Indian population suffers from Vitamin D deficiency, and the young generation is mostly affected by it compared to the national average. As per their analysis, the age group under 25 years old had the highest prevalence (84%), followed by the 25–40-year-old age group (81%).

Low vitamin D levels are unrelated to age, gender, or region. Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that is essential for bone health. We can obtain it naturally by exposing ourselves to sunlight for 15-20 minutes twice or three times per week. But, due to our way of living, people don’t get the necessary amount of exposure and start taking supplements. Shortage of vitamin D has now become a global concern and its high time to understand the risks related to this deficiency. A few are discussed below: -

Vitamin D and Mental Health

• Depression and anxiety are mood disorders that hurt health and quality of life, as well as increasing the global disease burden. These disorders have been linked to inflammation and oxidative stress. So, finding the connection between antioxidant nutrients (such as vitamin D) and these illnesses is crucial.
• According to a Dutch study, people who are suffering from depression have been diagnosed with 14% lower levels of Vitamin D than those without the diagnosis. Moreover, as per the website named Health Line, research says that there is a connection between low levels of Vitamin D and postpartum depression which can appear any time after a baby is born. Below are a few symptoms of depression:

1. Thoughts of death or suicide
2. Forgetfulness
3. Loss of appetite
4. Lethargy
5. Loss of interest in activities you once enjoyed
6. Insomnia or excessive sleepiness

Vitamin D Deficiency can increase Cardiovascular risk

• According to the Framingham Heart Study, this deficiency can create more problems like cardiovascular diseases due to which there is a twofold increased risk of Heart attack, failure, and stroke, found in especially those individuals who have Vitamin D below 15 levels of nanograms per millimeter.
• ?Obesity is another issue that is connected with Cardiovascular diseases as fat cells absorb vitamin D and all the way circulate through the blood. Most women have more body fat compared to men and they spend very little time outdoors due to which they lack exposure to the sun.

Deficiency of Vitamin D in Postmenopausal Females

As females age, the problems connected with menopause in women become more obvious. Calcium balancing research has revealed that calcium absorption decreases during menopause. Estrogen declines in menopausal women which creates short-term menstrual disorders, hot flushes, night sweats, sleep disorders, and long-term increased risk of osteoporosis. Vitamin D serves the purpose of calcium absorption and appears to be more hormone-sensitive.

Relationship between age and vitamin D deficiency

When a person gets older, he/she digests less amount of Vitamin D from their food intake and generates low Vitamin D through their skin. Also, they many times get fewer opportunities to go out and have less access to sun. So the possibility of this deficiency in old age people is higher.

What Actions do we need to take?

Vitamin D levels need to be checked along with full-body checkups every six months or at least once a year.? Especially in case of obesity, Osteomalacia, or if the person is having treatment for TB. This deficiency is most common among infants and children under the age of five, pregnant and breastfeeding women, teenagers and young women, persons over the age of 65, and those with inadequate sun exposure. So, one needs to consume foods rich in Vitamin D such as egg yolks, salmon, and red meat.

Final Words

Proper Vitamin D levels are essential not just for maintaining strong bones and teeth, but also for preventing heart disease and other disorders. Working from home has increased the difficult task of obtaining this essential nutrient through natural means. So the bottom line is that after being diagnosed with this deficiency, a person should consult a physician and accordingly start having the supplements based on their body requirement. Also, we should make safe sun exposure a conscious part of our daily routine to get the vitamin as naturally as possible. Let the sun shine upon us!