Vitamin D deficiency is rare in the general population. The major reason for this is that vitamin D is created by the body in the presence of sunlight. The recommended amount of Vitamin D needed is only about 5 mcg/day, which the body can create in less than one hour per week in sunlight. The major problem with this is that it requires direct sunlight, which many areas of the world do not get during winter months. Fortunately, Vitamin D is also found naturally in a large variety of foods, and is also enriched into other foods in certain countries. The largest supplier of Vitamin D is fish. Milk and other dairy products as well as whole grain foods and mushrooms also provide large amounts of Vitamin D.
There are generally two major causes of a Vitamin D deficiency. The deficiency can occur because Vitamin D is not absorbed correctly in the intestines, or it can occur because the Vitamin D is not converted to its active form in the Kidney. So either a problem with the digestive tract, or with the kidneys can result in a Vitamin D deficiency. it is important to note that either of these problems can be mitigated with sufficient time in the sun. Vitamin D deficiency is sometimes seen secondary to other diseases which effect the intestines such as Crohn’s disease, cystic fibrosis and Celiac disease. Finally, obesity can also be a cause of Vitamin D deficiency. Vitamin D is a fat-soluble compound which is stored in fat cells. In obese people, the amount of Vitamin D in the bloodstream diminishes as large amounts become unavailable in fat cells.
As with many vitamin deficiencies, a Vitamin D deficiency’s symptoms will begin mild and generally non-specific. One of the most frequent symptoms is general muscle and joint pain throughout the body. There are also problems with the brain, and symptoms like confusion, depression and other mental conditions can occur. These symptoms generally start out very mild, but grow in intensity as the deficiency continues. Vitamin D deficiency can also gradually, but greatly increase for cardiovascular disease to develop.
The most severe symptoms of Vitamin D deficiency occur because of the nutrients vital role in the utilization of calcium throughout the body. In adults, prolonged Vitamin D deficiency will result in the lowering of bone density and the development of Osteoporosis. In children, Vitamin D deficiency can cause a disease called Rickets, in which the long bones of the body, such as in the arms and legs, do not harden as they grow. This can result in deformities as well as shortening of the bones in the arms and legs.
Vitamin D deficiency is rare because a large variety of foods contain large amounts of Vitamin D, and even without consuming the nutrient, most individual obtain their recommended amount from sunlight. Symptoms can range from minor things like aches and pains in joints and muscles, all the way up to serious conditions like cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis and Rickets in children. In most cases, a Vitamin D deficiency develops because of another ailment that affects either the absorption in the intestines, or the activation of Vitamin D in the kidneys.
