Vitamin D is essential in maintaining the body’s performance on a daily basis. It makes sure that your vital organs are working the way they should, helping ensure good health. Aside from it being vital in having strong bones, it has also been linked to the prevention of certain chronic diseases.
A sure way to determine if you are Vitamin D deficient is through a blood test. Until you can get yourself checked, here are the possible symptoms to be wary of.
1. Achy bones and fractures
Since Vitamin D is an essential in calcium absorption to strengthen bones, insufficient levels may lead to bone ache, which may eventually progress to bone diseases like osteoporosis.
2. Depression or anxiety
Sunlight, a rich source of Vitamin D, helps increase the levels of serotonin (a hormone associated with the emotion of happiness) in the body. Insufficient exposure to sunlight may lead to a low mood, a possible sign of Vitamin D deficiency.
3. Sweaty head/scalp
Head sweating is one of the early signs of Vitamin D deficiency, according to Dr. Michael Holick, a global expert in Vitamin D.
4. Gut Trouble
Having any gut problem which affects your ability to absorb fat may also lead to lower absorption of Vitamin D, a fat-soluble vitamin.
5. Above average body fat
Fat cells extract Vitamin D from the blood. This is why the higher your body fat percentage, the less Vitamin D is released into the circulation.
What You Can Do
Vitamin D deficiency may lead to chronic diseases if not treated early and properly. Help your body avoid it by getting a healthy amount of sun exposure as well as eating foods rich in Vitamin D (like fatty fish, spinach, and milk) daily.
However, doing these habits may not be enough to get a sufficient dose of Vitamin D daily. Sometimes, we cannot afford to get the sun exposure our body needs or eat food rich in Vitamin D. To help meet the daily Vitamin D requirement, a Vitamin D supplement may also be taken. Treat Vitamin D deficiency early, and help reduce the risk of chronic disease.
ASC Ref Nos. U047P121418F, U049P121418F, U050P121418F,
