A Look At Vitamin D Deficiency Symptoms

By Kerri Stout


Life today for many people can prove to be far more hectic than ever before. Some find themselves under so much pressure at home or work they barely have time to stop for lunches or regular nutritious meals on schedule. Fast food and missed meals cannot provide the nutritional values needed to support a healthy body. Many people are suffering from vitamin D deficiency symptoms and are totally unaware of it.

There are several ways to supplement the intake of basic vitamins starting with sitting in the sun. The body can create D vitamins for itself by metabolizing direct sunshine it is exposed to. Many foods contain needed amounts of D vitamins and additional supplements can be purchased over the counter in most stores.

There are natural factors that can put people at risk for this problem. They include limited exposure to natural sun light, darker complexions, obesity, and a number of chronic diseases that can affect the body's absorption of nutrients in a normal fashion. Many time it is difficult for doctors to diagnose this problem because the accepted levels necessary vary widely dependent on which study you look at. There are federal standards and the Institute of Medicine has schedules available that chart needs by age groupings.

The symptoms mentioned by doctors include bone pain and muscle weakness as the most common complaints by patients. These subtle issues are so vague they often go unnoticed or are over looked when a diagnosis is made. A specific request must be made by the doctor to test the D levels in blood tests and often the patient needs to suggest doing it to their physician.

Those who have endured this problem are able to give a more detailed description of the problems they had. Many of them say that their joints and especially their hips are very painful. The pain is so extreme that they have trouble standing up from a seated position. They also relate that they have suffered massive hair loss, cognitive problems that cause problems focusing and thinking and chronic fatigue that sometimes leaves them with no energy to move.

Bone density loss is one of the most dangerous features of this ailment. Women over forty are encouraged to have bone density scans to check for loss. They are also encouraged to regularly take calcium tablets that are fortified with vitamin D to strengthen their bones and help prevent fractures should they fall.

Many long term issues have been tied to this malady. Cancers, heart disease and liver problems are being studied to find the links to the shortage of this necessary supplement. Studies are also being conducted that show appropriate levels of D vitamins help prevent multiple sclerosis in women.

Those who follow the vegan diet guidelines are especially susceptible for this problem because the nutrients necessary to prevent it are found in animal based products such as egg yolks, fortified milk, cheese or beef liver. Using daily multiple vitamins is a practice that may benefit every body.




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