What Happens When You Don't Get Enough Vitamin D
By Sara Butler
Vitamin D plays a vital role in your health. Known as the sunshine vitamin, it's something you may not realize you're not getting enough of easily. That's why it's important to know the signs and symptoms that can result from not getting enough Vitamin D in your day. Here's what you need to know.
Why Vitamin D Is So Important
Why all this fuss about appropriate levels of Vitamin D? Well, Vitamin D is a hormone your body makes when it comes into contact with sunlight. You can also get it from eating foods containing it. It helps to keep almost every aspect of your body working properly, from mood to bone health to immune system function. That's why it's so important and you find so many foods fortified with it to help ensure people are getting the 600 to 800 IUs they need per day, depending on age.
The Risk Factors of Vitamin D Deficiency
There are certain factors that put you at a higher risk of Vitamin D deficiency. These are:
- Living away from the equator where there is not enough sunshine all year long
- Not getting enough dairy or fish in your diet
- Being over age 70
- Having dark skin
- Staying indoors a lot
- Using sunscreen every time you step outside
- Being obese or overweight
Many people don't realize they're deficient in the vitamin because the signs can be very subtle.
Signs You're Not Getting Enough Vitamin D
There are a few things to be on the lookout for when it comes to Vitamin D deficiency. These include:
- Getting sick often - Vitamin D helps keep your immune system functioning optimally, so getting sick a lot may be a sign you're not getting enough of it
- You're tired all the time - If you feel tired all the time or get fatigued easily, then it may be because you're not getting enough Vitamin D
- You have back pain - Back pain and bone pain are yet another sign of Vitamin D deficiency. This is because getting enough Vitamin D is closely tied to getting enough calcium to keep bones healthy.
- You're depressed - Vitamin D deficiency has been associated with depression and mood disorders
Make sure you are getting enough Vitamin D for you health! If you're unsure what to do, then make sure to talk to a healthcare provider.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Arvada, Colo.