5 extraordinary symptoms caused by vitamin D deficiency
In Lithuania, we constantly hear that we, living in the northern part of Europe, are continuously lacking the legendary vitamin D shrouded in myths and legends. Probably everyone knows that we get enough vitamin D during the summer, but in other seasons, vitamin D is quite foreign to us. Unfortunately, we do not accumulate enough vitamin D during summer. Therefore, in order not only to avoid the symptoms caused by vitamin D deficiency but also to benefit from the advantages of vitamin D, we must independently take care of the amount of this vitamin in our bodies.
The internet is full of information about the symptoms caused by vitamin D deficiency – joint and muscle pain, fatigue, malaise. But did you know that there are quite a few symptoms caused by vitamin D that are rarely talked about? In this article, we will share 5 extraordinary symptoms caused by vitamin D deficiency.
1. Skin condition problems
Vitamin D deficiency on the skin usually manifests as redness, dryness, itching. However, these are not the only symptoms that can be caused by the deficiency of this vitamin. The consequences can be much more complex, for example, vitamin D deficiency due to hormonal changes can cause and promote acne and accelerate skin wrinkling. And while you can eliminate milder symptoms (redness, dryness, and itching) by increasing the vitamin D level, you may not easily get rid of more complicated symptoms. Therefore, you should try to prevent them in advance.
2. Hair loss (alopecia)
Hair loss or alopecia is an autoimmune disorder that causes the immune system to attack and destroy hair follicles. Due to these bodily processes, our hair on the head (and sometimes on the entire body) begins to thin or fall out. You might wonder – how does vitamin D influence this? Vitamin D is metabolized in our skin by keratinocytes, the skin cells that process keratin, a protein found in hair, skin, and nails. When the body does not get enough vitamin D, the keratinocytes in the hair follicles cannot regulate hair growth and loss.
3. Depression
Although there is no conducted study proving a direct link between depression and vitamin D deficiency, this conclusion is suggested by individual studies. In the study conducted by Malaysian scientists "Vitamin D and Depression: Evidence of Indirect Treatment Strategies", it is indicated that a large part of people suffering from depression also have low levels of vitamin D in their blood. Also, some studies show that some people experience a reduction in depression symptoms when their vitamin D level is increased.
4. Insomnia or hypersomnia
Vitamin D deficiency is often associated with sleep disorders and poor sleep quality. The deficiency can manifest as both insomnia and hypersomnia (drowsiness). Vitamin D in children and adults can also make it difficult to fall asleep, shorten sleep duration, and promote nighttime awakenings. This is because vitamin D receptors are located in brain areas that regulate the sleep-wake cycle. This cycle is called the circadian rhythm – a natural, internal process that signals our body when we should get up or go to sleep.
5. Eczema
Many of us have probably encountered red patches appearing on the skin that look like a rash. Meet – this is eczema, a non-infectious, chronic skin inflammation that causes our skin to redden, itch, and crack. Vitamin D regulates both the immune system and skin barrier function. Both of these factors are very significant for the development of eczema. Therefore, regulating the vitamin D level can not only prevent the manifestation of eczema but also alleviate an existing eczema problem.
Vitamin D for children – should you be concerned?
In short – yes. Vitamin D is also a very important vitamin for children. In children, the deficiency of this vitamin can manifest as irritability, fatigue, bone and muscle pain, disturbed sleep, and passivity. Besides these easily manageable symptoms, vitamin D deficiency in a child can manifest as much more serious symptoms – delayed walking, anemia, herpes.
Excess vitamin D can be dangerous
Due to excess vitamin D in your blood, calcium levels can increase, resulting in hypercalcemia, which weakens the bones, can cause stones to form in the liver, or disrupt heart and brain function. Also, hypercalcemia can cause frequent urination, nausea, vomiting, and general weakness.
Thus, for both adults and children, during both warm and cold periods, it is important to monitor your vitamin D level in the blood. This is easy to do by taking a vitamin D test. The cost of a vitamin D test is not high compared to other tests, so it is recommended to take this test a couple of times a year. Stay healthy!
