Signs You're Not Getting Enough Vitamin D in Winter

2024-12-15 19:31:00, Shëndeti CNA

Signs You're Not Getting Enough Vitamin D in Winter

Illustrative photo

We know that vitamin D helps strengthen our teeth and bones, but there are many reasons why it is necessary for our bodies to function well. Therefore, if there is a deficiency, you may notice that you feel more tired or weak.

What is vitamin D?

Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that our body uses for bone growth and maintenance. It is often called the "sunshine vitamin" because our bodies produce it in response to sunlight. When exposed to sunlight, cholesterol in our skin absorbs UVB rays, which create the energy to start vitamin D synthesis.

What does vitamin D do?

According to the NHS, vitamin D helps regulate the amount of calcium and phosphorus in the body. Both of these nutrients are essential for maintaining healthy bones, teeth and muscles. Moreover, apart from improving our physical health, it can also provide benefits for our mental health.

5 Signs You're Not Getting Enough Vitamin D

Bone pain

We know that vitamin D is important for maintaining healthy bones, so it makes sense that its deficiency would cause bone abnormalities and pain. When vitamin D levels are low and the body cannot properly absorb calcium and phosphorus, the risk of bone pain, fractures, muscle pain and muscle weakness increases.

Muscle weakness

As mentioned above, vitamin D deficiency can cause muscle weakness. A 2018 study noted that vitamin D plays an important role in normal muscle function, arguing that "low vitamin D status is associated with an increased risk of muscle decline and weakness." This study concluded that severe vitamin D deficiency is clearly detrimental to muscle function and added that observational studies link muscle weakness, falls, and reduced muscle mass to vitamin D deficiency.

fatigue

Vitamin D is thought to affect mental health in addition to physical health. Although the research is still in its early stages, a 2019 study found that vitamin D deficiency is linked to mental and physical fatigue. Another study found that nurses, because of their work in hospital clinics and night shifts, had a high incidence of vitamin D deficiency. A third study strongly linked mental and physical fatigue to vitamin D deficiency in patients with elderly

Increase in infections

Vitamin D is critical for immune system function, so if you get sick often, vitamin D deficiency may be a factor. Scientists have discovered that vitamin D is present in almost all cells of the immune system, and a study found a link between infections and autoimmune diseases and vitamin D deficiency.

DEPRESSION

Many people feel sadder in the winter, and others suffer from SAD during the darker months. One reason why scientists believe this happens is a lack of vitamin D. One study found that vitamin D has properties that affect brain tissue involved in the normal processes of depression and anxiety. Another study involving 7,534 participants found that vitamin D supplementation could reduce negative emotions, especially in people with major depressive disorder.