Did you know that before the year 2000 most doctors believed that none of their patients could be vitamin (D) deficient, but as technology to measure for vitamin (D) became affordable more studies were conducted, according to Dr.Michael Holick who is one of the leading vitamin (D) researchers the Center for Disease Control and Prevention the CDC.
Reported that 32% of adults and children in the US were vitamin (D)
deficient, that’s a pretty high number so for that reason alone it’s
crucial that you look for signs of vitamin (D) deficiency, with more
research being conducted Holyk believes that about 50% of the general
population may be at risk for vitamin (D) deficiency.
The only way to know for sure if you are vitamin (D) deficient is by a
blood test, but the signs and symptoms that come along with this
deficiency could be helpful as well.
Now here are signs that you may be vitamin (D) deficient:
Number 7 Darker Skin.
Holy explains that if you have darker skin, you may need as much as 10
times more sun exposure to get the same amount of vitamin (D) as an
individual with pale skin, he adds that your skin pigment acts as a
natural sunscreen so the more pigment you have, the more time you need
to spend in the Sun.
Many people don’t know that people who have dark skin are more at risk
for developing a vitamin (D) deficiency, this is because MELANIN which
helps prevent certain skin cancers like MELANOMA, and reduces the skins
ability to provide vitamin (D) when responding to sunlight exposure.
People who have darker skin have more MELANIN allowing less sun exposure
to enter the skin; this means that less vitamin (D) is produced in the
body, in fact, older adults with dark skin are known to be at a higher
risk of developing a vitamin (D) deficiency.
Number 6 Obese Overweight For High Muscle mass.
Holick explains that vitamin (D) is fat-soluble, which means that the
body will collect it so if you are overweight or obese your body will
need a lot more vitamin (D) than the average person, the same goes for
those who have a lot of muscle and body mass.
Number 5 Aching Bones.
Olek says that many patients who visit their doctor and complain about
aching bones and muscles are misdiagnosed for fibromyalgia or chronic
fatigue syndrome, it’s not an uncommon mistake, but what I recommend is
that before the doctor diagnoses you, ask for a vitamin (D) blood test,
just so you can rule it out if it comes back negative, Click next to see
the rest of the article.
Number 4 Sweaty Head.
According to holy a sweaty head is one of the first signs of vitamin (D)
deficiency, he adds that many physicians used to ask new mothers if
their newborn child was experiencing a sweaty head, excessive sweating,
and newborns that due to neuromuscular irritability is still described
as an early symptom of vitamin (D) deficiency.
Number 3 You Have The Blues.
According to a study published in the American Journal of geriatric
psychiatry one of the signs of vitamin (D) deficiency is having a low
moon, to prove this theory researchers studied, 80 elderly patients and
they found that those who had the most moderate vitamin (D) levels, were
11 times more likely to be depressed than those who had healthy levels
of vitamin (D).
In fact, there are many different psychological changes that happen as a
result of vitamin (D) deficiency, scientists state that main symptoms
associated with SID seasonal affective disorder are a result of changing
levels of vitamin (D), season affective disorder is a mood disorder
which results in symptoms of depression during the winter months when
there is less sunshine.
This occurs as a result of sudden drops and levels of vitamin (D) in a
person’s body, changing levels of vitamin (D) in the brain can affect
serotonin levels affecting a person’s mood low levels of serotonin are
linked to depression, this is because serotonin is a chemical and a
neurotransmitter in our bodies, that helps regulate our moods sleep,
social behavior, appetite, and more.
If you notice that you become increasingly sad particularly during the
winter months it may be because you have a vitamin (D) deficiency, if
this is the case consider talking to your doctor about a vitamin (V)
supplement which can help increase the levels of vitamin (D) in your
body, and possibly help improve your mood, surprised yet? Keep reading
for some even more unusual signs that your body may be lacking vitamin
(D).
Number 2 You’re At Least 50.
Vitamin (D) is also a very common risk factor among seniors, the reason
that seniors are at a higher risk for developing a vitamin (D)
deficiency, is because as seniors age their ability to synthesize
vitamin (D) from direct sunlight is reduced, in addition to this,
vitamin (D) is activated in the body’s kidneys, and this is a function
which decreases as a person ages.
Seniors are also less likely to exercise and live active lifestyles as
they age, they also tend to stay inside born, according to the
International Society for clinical densitometry about 95% of senior
citizens may be vitamin (D) deficient, the reason is not just because
they spend a lot of time indoors, another reason is that they produce
less when they’re exposed to the Sun.
They add that an elderly individual over the age of 70 produces 30% less
vitamin (D) than a younger person with the same sun exposure,
scientists state that people require up to 30 minutes of exposure to the
Sun at least twice a week to get the necessary amount of vitamin (D),
according to the food nutrition board the average amount of vitamin (D)
intake that a person should get until the age of 50 is 200 international
units, IU for men and women.
Men and women between the ages of 50 and 70 should have a daily intake
of 400 international units, while after the age of 70 the consumption
should raise to 600 IU for both men and women, this is why there are
many supplements available on the market which seniors can take to
increase their intake of vitamin (D), Click next to see the rest of the
article.
Number 1 Gut Issues.
As mentioned earlier vitamin (D) is fat-soluble, so if you are having
gastrointestinal issues that affect your body’s ability to store fat,
you could have lower absorption of fat-soluble vitamins such as vitamin D
says wholly, certain gut conditions that are common include Crohn’s
celiac, and non-celiac gluten sensitivity and inflammatory bowel
disease.
Sources of vitamin (D)
According to the dietitians of Canada the following are excellent
sources of vitamin (D), Grain products, Orange juice, Plain yogurt, Deli
meat, Pork, Beef liver, Salmon, Eggs, Fruits and Vegetables, Tuna,
Mackerel, Cheese, Egg yolks, and Cod liver oil, just remember, if you
experience any of the symptoms mentioned though consult your doctor,
because you may be vitamin (D) deficient.
There are certain people who are more at risk for developing a vitamin
(D) deficiency, these people include the elderly those who have milk
allergies, those who have darker skin, or those who follow a vegan diet,
symptoms associated with vitamin (D) deficiency include an increased
risk of cardiovascular disease, cancer asthma children cognitive
impairment in seniors, and more it is extremely important to get a
sufficient amount of vitamin (D) in order to avoid these health risks.
If you are not exposed to the Sun very often, and you have a strict diet
which doesn’t incorporate many foods which are rich in vitamin (D), it
may be time to start talking to your doctor about the best types of
supplements you should be taking for vitamin (D), and how many or how
often you should be taking them, it should be noted that there are many
different harmful effects of overexposure to the Sun.
Overexposure to the Sun can result in sunburn, premature aging of the
skin, skin cancer, and skin damage, did you know that over 90% of skin
cancers are caused by sun exposure? This is why scientists are often
debating about the best ways to get vitamin (D), although vitamin (D)
comes from the Sun, is in the Sun too long, can pose all sorts of other
dangerous health issues, and risks which can lead to cancer.
Overexposure to the Sun allows damaging and harmful UV rays to reach the
inner skin layers of a person’s body, this causes sunburn and can even
kill, or damage skin cells possibly developing into skin cancer,
although a small amount of UV exposure is good for us, because it
creates vitamin (D) too much sun exposure can lead to early aging, skin
cancer, a low immune system and more.
This is why doctors suggest eating a diet that has foods that are rich
in vitamin (D), that being said not many foods have vitamin D in them
which is why vitamin (D) supplements are becoming increasingly popular
speak to your doctor today about the best ways you can increase your
levels of vitamin (D), your doctor will likely suggest taking vitamin
(D) supplements, what are some ways you try to get more vitamin (D)?
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