Vitamin D Deficiency & how it affects the health of young people? | Are Vitamin D Supplements Safe?

 By: Dr. Sonam Bhatia, MS (Pharm), PhD




Vitamin D deficiency is a serious health issue that can lead to several problems, especially in young people. While Vitamin D supplements are usually safe, there are some potential side effects that you should be aware of.

Source - Freepik.com

First, let's look at what Vitamin D does for the body? It helps the body to absorb calcium, which is necessary for strong bones and teeth. It also helps with muscle function and the immune system. A lack of Vitamin D in younger people can also lead to several problems, including:

  • Bone pain and weakness
  • Muscle pain
  • Fatigue
  • Increased risk of infections
  • Depression

Vitamin D deficiency is especially common in the winter when there is less sunlight. People who are indoors a lot, such as office workers (young and middle-aged individuals) having a sedentary lifestyle, are also at risk. Older adults and people with dark skin are also more likely to be deficient in Vitamin D.

If you think you might be deficient in Vitamin D, talk to your doctor about getting a blood test. If you are deficient, your doctor may recommend taking a supplement. Most people can get enough Vitamin D from exposure to sunlight and from food sources, such as fatty fish, eggs, and fortified milk. However, if you are not getting enough from these sources, a supplement can help.

Symptoms and Health Risks of Vitamin D Deficiency

Vitamin D is an essential vitamin that plays a key role in maintaining strong bones and preventing osteoporosis. It also supports the health of the immune system, heart, and muscles.

Source - Freepik.com

A lack of Vitamin D can lead to several health problems, including:

Bone Loss and Fractures: Vitamin D helps the body absorb calcium, which is essential for bone health. Without enough Vitamin D, the body cannot properly absorb calcium, resulting in weak and brittle bones

Muscle Weakness: Vitamin D is necessary for muscle function and strength. A lack of Vitamin D can lead to muscle weakness and a decrease in muscle mass.

Immune System Problems: Vitamin D helps the body fight infection and disease. A lack of Vitamin D can lead to a weaker immune system and an increased risk of infections

Heart Disease: Vitamin D is necessary for maintaining a healthy heart. A lack of Vitamin D can lead to an increased risk of heart disease and high blood pressure.

Cancer: Vitamin D may help protect against some types of cancer, such as colon cancer. A lack of Vitamin D can increase the risk of developing cancer.

If you think you may be deficient in Vitamin D, talk to your doctor. He or she can order a blood test to check your Vitamin D levels and make recommendations for the right course of treatment.

Causes of Vitamin D Deficiency

Vitamin D is a nutrient that helps the body absorb calcium. It is produced when ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun hit the skin. Vitamin D deficiency can cause problems with bone growth in children and osteoporosis in adults.
There are several things that can contribute to a person not getting enough Vitamin D, including:

  • Lack of Sun Exposure: People who don't get enough sun exposure are at risk for Vitamin D deficiency. This includes people who stay indoors most of the time and people who wear clothing that covers most of their skin
  • Living in Northern Latitudes: The further away from the equator you live, the less UV radiation there is in the environment. This means that people living in northern latitudes are at a higher risk for Vitamin D deficiency
  • Use of Sunscreen: Sunscreen blocks UV rays and prevents them from reaching the skin. This can lead to Vitamin D deficiency, especially in people who use sunscreen regularly or who use it with a high SPF value
  • Certain Medical Conditions: Some medical conditions can make it difficult for the body to absorb Vitamin D. These include Crohn's Disease, Celiac Disease, and Cystic Fibrosis.
  • Pregnancy and Breast-feeding: Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding need more Vitamin D than other women. This is because they are passing it on to their baby through the placenta or breast milk
  • Darker Skin Tone: People with darker skin have more melanin, which is a pigment that helps protect the skin from UV rays. This means that they are at a higher risk for Vitamin D deficiency because they need more sun exposure to produce enough Vitamin D.
  • Obesity: Obesity can lead to Vitamin D deficiency because fat cells absorb and store vitamin D. This can make it difficult for the body to use it.

Tests for Vitamin D Deficiency

If you think you may be at risk for Vitamin D deficiency, talk to your doctor. They can order a blood test to check your levels.

There are a few different ways that your doctor can test for Vitamin D deficiency. A simple blood test can measure the level of 25-hydroxyvitamin D in your body, which is the form of Vitamin D that is most abundant in the blood and is used to assess the status of Vitamin D in the body. Your doctor may also order a 1,25-dihydroxy vitamin D test, which measures the active form of Vitamin D in your blood. This test is not as commonly used and is generally only ordered if your doctor suspects that you have a problem with how your body is using or metabolizing Vitamin D.

Treatment for Vitamin D Deficiency

If you are found to be deficient in Vitamin D, your doctor may recommend that you take a supplement. The amount of Vitamin D you will need will depend on your age, health status, and level of deficiency. For most people, taking between 800 and 1,000 IU (international units) per day should be enough to correct a deficiency. 

The recommended dietary allowance (RDA) for Vitamin D has been increased to 600 international units (IU) for all ages 1-70, with an upper limit of 4,000 IU if you're over 70. Doctors may prescribe more than this amount specifically designed towards correcting any deficiencies that are present especially since there is no consensus on exactly how much is required by each individual person; it likely varies depending upon their age and health conditions such as whether they have osteoporosis or not.  

Your doctor may also recommend that you get more exposure to sunlight, as this is the best way to naturally boost your Vitamin D levels. If you have a Vitamin D deficiency, it is important to correct it as soon as possible. Vitamin D plays a vital role in many aspects of health, and a deficiency can lead to a number of different problems. Treatment is relatively simple and straightforward, so if you think you may be deficient, be sure to talk to your doctor.

Potential Side Effects of Vitamin D Deficiency

Vitamin D supplements are generally safe for most people. However, there are some potential side effects, such as:
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Constipation
  • Headache
  • Muscle Pain
  • Fatigue
If you experience any of these side effects, stop taking the supplement and talk to your doctor. You may be able to take a lower dose or a different form of Vitamin D.

Overall, Vitamin D is an important nutrient that can help prevent a few health problems. If you think you might be deficient, talk to your doctor about getting a blood test and starting a supplement.

Summing Up

Vitamin D is a nutrient that the body uses to absorb calcium. It's also responsible for many aspects of health and can cause problems if not enough, including bone loss or fractures! If you think this deficiency might be impairing any part of how strong our bones are (or even just haven't had much sun), talk with your doctor because treatment options aren’t too difficult; they're simple and straightforward. Thanks for reading!

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