Lifestyle factors : Some people spend little time outdoors due to work, ill health, a lack of outdoor space in their neighborhood, or other factors.
These people have less opportunity to expose their skin to sunlight. Those who wear clothes that cover all of their body, whether to protect it from the sun or for cultural or religious reasons, may also have a higher risk of a deficiency. The Office of Dietary Supplements ODS recommend that people who use a lot of sunscreen or wear clothing that covers the body should include sources of vitamin D in their diet.
People who live in a hot climate may also be at risk, as they often try to avoid the heat and strong sunlight by staying indoors. Pollution : Particles in the air can block UVB rays and prevent them from reaching the skin.
People who live in highly polluted areas may also be more likely to avoid spending time outside. These include steroids and some drugs for lowering cholesterol , among others. Smoking : Levels of deficiency appear to be higher among smokers.
Some experts have suggested that smoking may affect the gene that activates the production of vitamin D-3 in the body. Obesity : Research has found lower vitamin D levels in people with obesity , or a body mass index BMI of 30 or more.
This link may be stem from the ways in which body fat affects vitamin D absorption. Some people with obesity may spend less time outdoors due to mobility issues. Those who have undergone bariatric surgery may also have absorption problems. Conversely, people whose BMI of 25— The authors suggest that dietary factors are responsible for this difference.
Skin type : People with darker skin need more sunlight exposure to produce vitamin D than those with lighter skin. People with pale skin or a history of skin cancer may avoid sun exposure to protect their skin from damage.
Age : The ability to convert vitamin D to calcitriol may decline with age due to decreased kidney function. As a result, calcium absorption will fall. Kidney and liver health : People with liver disease and kidney disease tend to have lower vitamin D levels. Pregnancy : The need for vitamin D may increase during pregnancy, but experts remain unsure whether supplements are a good idea.
The authors of a Cochrane review concluded that taking supplements during pregnancy may reduce the risk of preeclampsia , gestational diabetes, low birth weight, and severe bleeding after delivery.
However, it may also increase the risk of preterm birth, which is birth before 37 weeks. The authors called for further research. Breastfeeding infants : Human milk is low in vitamin D, which means that breastfeeding infants are at risk of a deficiency.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention CDC recommend giving a vitamin D supplement to all breastfeeding infants from the first few days of life until they consume 1 l or more of formula milk each day. Supplementation becomes unnecessary at this point because formula milk contains added vitamin D.
In , experts published a report on data from — They looked at how vitamin D deficiencies affect specific populations in the U. The findings suggested that African American adults have the highest risk of a deficiency, followed by Hispanic people. A vitamin D deficiency may produce no symptoms, or symptoms may take several years to appear. However, it may increase the risk of long term health problems. Health complications which are associated with vitamin D deficiency include: [12].
Rickets , a condition involving the softening of the bones, so that the skeleton develops deformities is a very common condition related to vitamin D deficiency and affects children worldwide. Vitamin D deficiency can therefore cause hypocalcemia where the levels of calcium in the body are too low , which in turn can cause rickets and osteoporosis.
Children experiencing hypocalcemia as a result of vitamin D deficiency may exhibit additional symptoms and health problems, such as seizures or tetany muscle spasms. Vitamin D deficiency is linked to a range of possible complications relating to pregnancy and the health of the pregnant person and the newborn.
Complications which may arise for a pregnant person experiencing vitamin D deficiency include: [26]. The need of the developing fetus for vitamin D increases during the second half of pregnancy, when most of the bone growth prior to birth takes place. Because a developing fetus is entirely dependent on a passive transfer of vitamin D from the pregnant person , it is important for pregnant people to ensure that their vitamin D intake is sufficient to support the needs of the fetus in addition to their own.
For most newborns, breast milk is their primary source of vitamin D. However, not all breast milk will contain sufficient levels of vitamin D to provide an infant with their recommended vitamin D intake IU per day. If the amount of vitamin D present in breast milk is not sufficient, It is possible for infants to develop vitamin D deficiency, particularly if they:.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that a daily supplement of IU should be given to all breastfeeding infants, to safeguard against vitamin D deficiency. However, recent research indicates that if a mother takes a supplement with a sufficiently high concentration of vitamin D around 6, IU , her breast milk will contain high enough levels of vitamin D to provide an infant with their recommended daily intake.
People with vitamin D deficiency are likely to experience ageing more rapidly than those with sufficient vitamin D intake. Among other factors, this is because elderly people who have vitamin D deficiency are also more likely to experience cognitive impairment, compromised muscle function and are more prone to falls. Q: Does vitamin D deficiency increase the likelihood of gaining weight?
A: Vitamin D deficiency has been linked to year-round weight gain and to difficulty losing weight. People with stable and sufficient levels of vitamin D for their age and body type find it easier to maintain a healthy weight and lose weight as desired.
Q: Is it possible to regrow hair in cases when hair loss is caused by vitamin D deficiency? A: Various studies have investigated the role of vitamin D in promoting hair growth and strength and have found a link between healthy hair and sufficient levels of vitamin D.
Correspondingly, hypovitaminosis D can be a contributing factor to experiencing hair loss alopecia. However, if one experiences hair loss as a result of vitamin D deficiency, it is likely that one will need specific treatments which are designed to promote hair re-growth to replace the lost hair.
Q: What happens when a person takes more than their recommended daily intake of vitamin D? This can stimulate the development of a range of different health complications, [30] including excessive thirst and urination, dehydration, high blood pressure, nausea and vomiting. Long-term hypervitaminosis D can result in serious problems, including cardiovascular malfunctions, calcification hardening of the arteries and soft tissues, and kidney problems.
Hypervitaminosis D is usually the result of taking too many supplements of vitamin D. Cod liver oil, for example, has a high vitamin D content and should therefore not be taken in conjunction with any other supplementary sources of vitamin D.
November Accessed: 15 November NHS Choices. Accessed: 12 February October Accessed: 17 July July February December September March The recommended amounts, in international units IU , are. People at high risk of vitamin D deficiency may need more. Check with your health care provider about how much you need. Talk with your health care provider if you are at risk for vitamin D deficiency.
There is a blood test which can measure how much vitamin D is in your body. Vitamin D deficiency can lead to a loss of bone density , which can contribute to osteoporosis and fractures broken bones.
Severe vitamin D deficiency can also lead to other diseases. In children, it can cause rickets. Rickets is a rare disease that causes the bones to become soft and bend.
African American infants and children are at higher risk of getting rickets. In adults, severe vitamin D deficiency leads to osteomalacia. Osteomalacia causes weak bones, bone pain, and muscle weakness. Researchers are studying vitamin D for its possible connections to several medical conditions, including diabetes, high blood pressure, cancer, and autoimmune conditions such as multiple sclerosis. They need to do more research before they can understand the effects of vitamin D on these conditions.
You can also get vitamin D from fortified foods. You can check the food labels to find out whether a food has vitamin D. Foods that often have added vitamin D include. Vitamin D is in many multivitamins. There are also vitamin D supplements, both in pills and a liquid for babies. If you have vitamin D deficiency, the treatment is with supplements. Check with your health care provider about how much you need to take, how often you need to take it, and how long you need to take it.
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