Vitamin D is an essential asset to how the human body functions, yet it is only naturally present in a few limited food pyramid areas, like cheese, egg yolks, soy milk, and tuna. According to the International Journal of Health Sciences , lack of Vitamin D can be considered a global health problem. But why is that? What is Vitamin D?
Vitamin D – The Sunshine Vitamin
You may have heard of Vitamin D referenced as “the Sun Vitamin” at some point in your life. In fact, it is a steroid with hormone-like activity , regulating functions of more than 200 genes in our bodies that are essential for growth and development. And yes, it can be obtained through sun exposure, where 50-90 percent of people receive their dose. This vitamin is essential to the human body for several reasons, including the genes’ regulation.
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) says that Vitamin D also promotes calcium absorption in the gut and maintains appropriate calcium concentrations to enable average bone growth and bone remodeling. The NIH continues vouching for Vitamin D’s importance by stating that it has a hand in cell growth, neuromuscular and immune function, and inflammation reduction. With the grip that COVID-19 had on the world in 2020, Vitamin D deficiency and its impact on the immune system did not go unnoticed. Symptoms of Vitamin D Deficiency
The National Center for Biotechnology Information estimates that one billion people in the world have a Vitamin D deficiency, which means they are not receiving the appropriate amount of it to stay healthy. The Cleveland Clinic recommends that the average adult under 70 years old needs approximately 800 International Units in their diet each day to remain above the deficiency line.
As per this Healthline article, you can start to piece together a deficiency by tagging symptoms like:
● Increased frequency in feeling tired or getting sick
● Constant fatigue or tiredness
● Bone and back pain not caused by intense exercise
● Feeling depressed
● Slow wound healing
● Abnormal hair or bone loss
● Unattributed muscle pain
Causes & Risks of Vitamin D Deficiency
Many factors can cause a deficiency in Vitamin D, the most common being age. The skin’s ability to create the vitamin is hindered as you grow older. Other contributors might be a decrease or complete lack of sun exposure, your skin color, or certain medications . The risks associated with too little of this vitamin can most commonly be noted in insulin production, immune function, and brittle or misshapen bones, as mentioned by Katherine Zeratsky, R.D., L.D. via her article written for the Mayo Clinic .
Closing
It is best to consult your doctor if you think you might have a Vitamin D deficiency, and you might not believe it at first, but your chiropractor should know about this concern, too. Having a close relationship with the provider that deals most closely with your bones’ care is vital to finding alternative methods to your pain management.
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