Symptoms of Vitamin D Deficiency Are Found in Many Common Diseases

There are so many possible symptoms of vitamin D deficiency that this condition has largely been overlooked. With all the warnings we get about staying out of the sun, our primary source of vitamin D, deficiencies have reached epidemic proportions worldwide. Studies show that 30-80 percent of the population may be deficient in vitamin D.

Symptoms of Vitamin D Deficiency are Found in Many Common Diseases

Vitamin D deficiencies may be generally be characterized by muscle pain, bone fractures, low energy and fatigue, lowered immunity, symptoms of depression and mood swings, and sleep irregularities.

Low vitamin D levels are found in many diseases. Vitamin D deficiencies have been associated with a long list of chronic illnesses. Since most of these problems are very complex, and take many years to manifest, the connection between them and vitamin D deficiencies have remained unexamined for a very long time. While many of these health issues may also have other causes, low vitamin D levels are a common factor found in all of them. Here is a list:

• type-1 diabetes
• heart disease
• colon, breast and prostate cancers
• low blood calcium levels
• chronic bone, muscle, or joint pain
• chronic fatigue
• colds and flu
• asthma
• obesity
• rheumatoid arthritis
• infertility
• high blood pressure
• acne
• decline in physical and mental function
• gingivitis, periodontal disease and cavities
• depression and Seasonal Affective Disorder
• multiple sclerosis
• inflammatory bowel disease
• tuberculosis

Now, none of these are necessarily evidence of vitamin D deficiencies. However, since vitamin D plays such a pivotal role in strengthening your immune system, it's easy to see that a compromised immune system due to low vitamin D levels could easily lead to any of the above conditions.

The Most Recognized Symptoms of Vitamin D Deficiency.

Soft Bone Disorders. The most familiar health problems resulting from low levels of vitamin D are soft bone disorders, called rickets in children, osteomalacia in adults, and osteoporosis in seniors. Soft bone disorders indicate an inadequate supply of calcium to strengthen bones, which is usually a direct result of inadequate vitamin D supplies.

Rickets is a childhood disease characterized by stumped growth and deformed long bones, especially in the legs and arms. The role of diet in the development of rickets was determined by Edward Mellanby in the early 20th century, which led to the discovery of vitamin D. This condition can have very severe effects on the development of the bones.

Children with rickets may have fragile bones that are easily fractured. They may also develop bowed legs, pelvic bone deformities, spine curvatures and protruding breastbones. Children with rickets may experience bone pain in their legs, pelvis and spine.

Rickets may also result in poor muscle tone, which may lead to muscle weakness. Rickets may delay the formation of some teeth. It may also increase the risk of cavities, and decrease the amount of enamel on the teeth.

Osteomalacia is a bone-thinning disorder that occurs exclusively in adults and is characterized by muscle weakness and bone fragility. It does not usually result in bone deformities in adults. Adults with osteomalacia may experience bone pain in their legs, pelvis and spine. They are more at risk of breaking bones in their legs, spine and ribs.

Osteoporosis is a condition characterized by reduced bone mineral density and increased bone fragility. Bones affected by osteoporosis are more at risk of fracturing. These fractures occur with just a slight amount of stress, much less than in healthy people not affected by osteoporosis. Typical fractures occur in the spinal column, hip and wrist.

Steps to Take if You Have Symptoms of Vitamin D Deficiency

If you do suffer from any of the above problems, you would be wise to get more vitamin D right away, starting with regular sunbathing. In an average temperate climate, you would need two or three hours a week in the summertime. If you don't already get this much exposure, you are probably vitamin D deficient, whether or not you have any obvious symptoms.

If you live north of 30 degrees latitude (draw a line from Atlanta to Los Angeles), the sun's rays aren't strong enough for about half of the year to produce any vitamin D. This is when you need to take supplements, since food sources are not abundant enough to provide optimum levels of vitamin D.

If you have severe symptoms of vitamin D deficiency, seek a professional medical consultation and get a 25-hydroxyvitamin D test to confirm your vitamin D levels. Be aware that most of today's doctors received little or no training in medical school in diagnosing symptoms of vitamin D deficiency. They also do not routinely test for vitamin D deficiencies, as they should.

The latest science indicates that an optimal vitamin D blood level is between 50-70 ng/mL. A doctor who is not familiar with current studies might think anywhere from 20-50 ng/mL is normal, but these standards are outdated.