Reasons for Low Levels of Vitamin D in Your Body

Vitamin D is needed to allow the body to perform its normal functions. Vitamin D helps to increase the strength of the bones by increases the body’s ability to absorb calcium. This helps to delay the development of osteoporosis in elderly people. This vital vitamin also helps to prevent veracious diseases like multiple sclerosis, diabetes, and cancer. This fat-soluble vitamin can be prepared by the body on its own with the help of sunlight. Since the sun is the main source of vitamin D, this vitamin is also referred to as sunshine vitamin. Besides the sun, foods and drinks like cereals, milk, and orange juice also contain vitamin D.

People of all age group can be affected by vitamin D deficiency. Some common signs and symptoms of low vitamin D include muscle pain, fatigue, weight gain, joint pain, diarrhea, constipation, high blood pressure, headache, etc. There are quite a few problems that can lead to vitamin D deficiency. Some of the most common ones are discussed below.

Lack of Exposure to Sunlight

Vitamin D is produced by the inner layer of the skin by making use of sunlight. Failing to get enough sun exposure might cause low level of vitamin D in the body. People who live in areas like the northern hemisphere where the sun might not rise every day are more prone to vitamin D deficiency.

Certain Diseases

The skin of people who have lupus is very sensitive and is not capable of tolerating sunlight for too long. As a result of this, they avoid being exposed to direct sunlight and go on to develop vitamin D deficiency. Crohn’s disease or colitis case an inflammation in the inner lining of the intestine and colon. This leads to diarrhea, which in turn lower the levels of vitamin D by causing excretion of large quantities of vitamins. Kidney disease and liver disorders can have an adverse effect on the ability of your body to synthesize vitamin D.

Hyperparathyroidism

Hyperparathyroidism is a condition on which the parathyroid glands produce excess amounts of parathyroid hormone. These glands are responsible for regulating the levels of phosphorous, calcium, and vitamin D in blood and the bones. The parathyroid hormone causes an increase in the level of blood calcium in those people who suffer from hyperparathyroidism caused due to a parathyroid tumor. This might cause the body to lower the levels of vitamin D so as to reduce the calcium levels in the blood.

Dark Skin

Dark skin is a result of melanin, which is a natural pigment that is produced by melanocytes present in the epidermis layer of the skin. Melanin reduces the ability of the body to produce vitamin D buy hindering the absorption of sunlight.

Old Age

Older people are more prone to vitamin D deficiency, as their skin might be slow in preparing vitamin D. Not being exposed to sunlight for a considerable longer duration can cause a decline in the level of vitamin D in elderly people.

Eating a Diet that Lacks Vitamin D

Not many food items contain vitamin D. Some good dietary sources of vitamin D include egg yolk, fleshy part of the fish, fish oil, beef liver, and cheese.  This is the main reason why vegetarians are at a higher risk of having this kind vitamin D deficiency.