Lack of vitamin D in adults manifestations. Lack of vitamin D main symptoms in children, women and men

With a lack of vitamin D, the symptoms appear very clearly at any age. Previously, doctors believed that vitamin D was needed only to maintain the normal health of teeth and bones. But over time, studies have proven that a lack of vitamin D causes a variety of diseases.

With a deficiency of vitamin D in the body, the absorption of phosphorus and calcium from food is impaired. These elements are involved in the formation of a healthy skeletal system, the full functioning of the immune, endocrine and nervous systems. They protect the body from inflammation. Therefore, it is important to know how the symptoms of vitamin D deficiency appear in adults and children, the reasons for the lack of vitamin in the body, possible diseases and preventive measures.

Vitamin D is a group of fat-soluble compounds that are essential for normal bone development and function. Vitamin D accumulates in organ cells human body... In case of insufficient intake with the consumed food, the symptoms of its deficiency appear after a long period of time. Such an element must be delivered in strictly defined doses. After all, a deficiency, like an excess, is harmful to health and leads to serious disorders.

Daily intake of vitamin D

The daily intake of vitamin D or calciferol depends on the age of the person, his physical activity and the climatic conditions of his residence. Consumption rate per day:

Children from 1 to 3 years old - 10 mcg.
Teenagers over 15 years old and adults - up to 5 mcg.
Pregnant and breastfeeding women - 10 mcg.
Adults over 60 years old - up to 15 mcg.

There are some factors for which the daily rate should be increased for a certain category of people. These include:

living in the northern regions, as they suffer from lack of sun;
people who work at night and sleep during the day;
suffering from chronic diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, liver, kidneys and gallbladder;
bedridden patients who cannot be outdoors in sunny weather.

Symptoms and Causes of Vitamin D Deficiency in Adults

With a lack of vitamin D, many health problems arise. The main symptoms in adults:

constant lethargy and drowsiness;
low bone density or frequent fractures;
soreness of the joints;
deterioration of vision;
weight reduction;
decreased appetite;
muscle weakness, muscle cramps in pregnant women;
lack of calcium in the blood;
nervousness;
slouch;
increased level of sweating on the scalp;
deterioration of the condition of the skin, tooth enamel, hair, nails.

Why is there a lack of vitamin D in the body? Let's look at the main causes of vitamin D deficiency:

lack of sunlight;
lack of a balanced diet;
stress and lack of desire to take care of their own health.

There are two forms of vitamin D:

Vitamin D2 - synthetic, enters the body as a result of exposure to the skin of direct sunlight.
Vitamin D3 - natural, found in animal products.

Any form improves the absorption of calcium and phosphorus. Vitamin D deficiency in adults is lifestyle-related. But there are reasons that do not depend on this and also affect the content of the element in the body:

Elderly age... After 50 years, the body loses its ability to quickly absorb vitamin D, it does not come in the required amount due to problems with its assimilation.
Vegetarian diet... Without eating fish, meat, dairy products, which are rich in natural vitamins, the body will be depleted. Vitamin D is also found in foods vegetable origin, but in this form it is less digestible.
Limited sun exposure... In the absence of contraindications, you should definitely sunbathe in the summer at the optimal time for this.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding... During this period, the vital organs of the unborn child are laid. Therefore, in the last two months of pregnancy in women, the exchange of calcium and phosphorus is disturbed, most nutrients go to the development of the fetus. And with breastfeeding, vitamins from the mother's body go to the baby.
Dark skin... Dark skin type protects the body from UV rays and prevents the synthesis of vitamin D.
Pathologies of the liver, kidneys and stomach... In such diseases, the formation of active forms of vitamin D is disrupted.

Symptoms and Causes of Vitamin D Deficiency in Children

Most often, symptoms of vitamin D deficiency in children appear at the sixth month of their birth:

lack of bone skeleton formation;
incorrect laying of teeth, lack of their appearance;
lethargy, tearfulness, capriciousness of the baby;
hair loss in crumbs;
peeling of the skin;
weight loss;
absence or stunted growth.

Vitamin D deficiency often manifests itself as a nervous state. The link between a lack of this element and depression has been established in both children and adults. Vitamin D can act on proteins in the brain that affect mood, memory, and learning ability.

The main causes of vitamin deficiency in children from birth to two years of age are:

Insufficient sun exposure to the skin surface... This happens in children who spend some time outdoors.
Improper nutrition... After a year, the child's diet should include vegetable and animal fats, proteins and carbohydrates.
Dysbacteriosis... With such a disease, the child's absorption processes and metabolic functions of the body are disrupted. Vitamin D will not be absorbed.
Heredity... Often the lack of this element is passed on from the parents.
Viral diseases... Reduced immunity and the ability to assimilate the element well.
Poor physical activity... In a mobile and active child, the ability to assimilate all trace elements and vitamin D increases.

Factors that trigger the development of vitamin D deficiency in infants:

lack of balanced nutrition in a woman in the last three months of pregnancy;
prematurity of the fetus;
large fruit;
artificial feeding;
incorrect introduction of complementary foods.

Diseases provoked by a lack of vitamin D in adults

If the symptoms of calciferol deficiency are not treated, then serious complications will not be long in coming. Lack of vitamin D causes dangerous diseases in adults:

osteopenia;
flu;
asthma;
tuberculosis;
type 2 diabetes;
periodontal disease;
multiple sclerosis;
depression;
oncological diseases.

Diseases in a child with a lack of vitamin D

In children, complications due to lack of calcium appear in two forms:

Vitamin D vitamin deficiency.
Rickets. In this case, the formation of bone tissue is disrupted.

The symptoms of rickets appear in the second month of a baby's life:

the edges of the fontanelle are soft;
bulging wrists and nape;
wheel-shaped legs;
lack of body weight;
in the sixth month, the child does not roll over on his stomach;
in the ninth month, the baby cannot sit;

In the absence of proper attention, a child after a year may have problems with speech.

It is important to avoid complications caused by vitamin D deficiency in children. You need to make sure they get everything healthy foods nutrition required for this age. And also walk more with the baby in the sun. You should take this vitamin in drops, if prescribed by a doctor, especially when you need to wait a long time for sunny weather. Massage and gymnastics for 30 minutes daily will have a positive effect.

Treatment and prevention of calciferol deficiency

To compensate for the lack of vitamin D, you can use the means available and within the power of everyone:

Sunbathing up to half an hour a day.
Correction of the diet.
Taking special medications that contain vitamin D.

In addition, there are a number of foods that can help in eliminating vitamin D deficiency:

liver of marine fish;
beef and pork liver;
fatty fish;
seafood;
meat;
a variety of cheeses;
chicken eggs;
dairy products.

If the diseases have already begun to develop against the background of calciferol deficiency, then complex treatment is prescribed:

treatment of diseases of internal organs;
ultraviolet irradiation.

Lack of vitamin D affects the health of children and adults. Therefore, everyone should remember about the symptoms, causes and prevention of calciferol deficiency. This will make it possible to avoid complications at any age.

In addition to this article, we suggest that you also find out why an excess of vitamin D is dangerous for the body in the article.

Unlike other nutrients, it is almost not found in food, but in maximum doses it is produced when our skin is exposed to heat and light. But given the typically Russian summer, out of three months of which thirty days are hot and sunny (at best), there is no need to talk about a sufficient amount of vitamin in the body of an average person. Who is to blame and what to do? We are sorting it out right now.

Who is at risk

In an interview with Healthista, nutritionist Kim Pearson notes that there are several factors that put a person at risk. Firstly, it is dark skin, which synthesizes vitamin D in the body much more slowly than light skin. The second is when vitamin D must be taken from supplements to avoid any potential risks. Also at risk are:

Elderly people who are rarely on the street;
Office workers who spend most of the day indoors;
People who work night shifts and therefore sleep during the day.

“I regularly test my clients' vitamin D levels. And people at optimal levels are usually those who take supplements or spend a significant amount of time in sunny countries, ”says Peer.

Signs of Vitamin D Deficiency

Vitamin D deficiency poses a serious health problem, as long-term lack of it in the body, according to research, increases the risk of developing and can potentially increase the risk of cancer. Below are five signs that should alert you.

Frequent infections

Vitamin D is vital for the proper functioning of the immune system. “Without adequate amounts of the vitamin, our immune cells will not be able to respond appropriately to threats, making the body as a whole more susceptible to infections,” notes Kim Peer. At the same time, vitamin D affects the quality of both innate and adaptive immunity.

Lack of mood

In addition, vitamin D plays a key role in maintaining healthy serotonin levels in the brain, adds Peer. Recall that we are talking about the neurotransmitters that we need for a great mood and thirst for life. Interestingly, a 2014 compilation study published in Medical Hypotheses found a link between vitamin D deficiency and (seasonal depression).

Constant fatigue

“Vitamin D is also needed by our bodies to convert food into energy,” continues Kim Peer. - If you are, it may mean that the body does not absorb nutrients from food, which, in turn, can be triggered just by a deficiency of vitamin D. " The good news is that you can deal with the problem quickly (as shown in a study published in 2016 in the journal Medicine, a vitamin D supplement can fix it in 7-8 days).

Weak bones

In addition to all of the above, vitamin D is needed to regulate the level of calcium and phosphate in the body, which - and everyone knows this - are important for bone health and. Adequate vitamin D levels have been shown to help prevent osteomalacia (softening of the bones) and osteoporosis (loss of bone density) in adulthood. A 2014 study found that people over 50 with vitamin D deficiency were more likely to have pain in hip joint and knee joints.

Muscle aches

Vitamin D also supports muscle function as receptors for it are located throughout the body. “If your muscles are for no particular reason, you should consider a possible vitamin D deficiency in your body,” warns Kim Pearson. The fact is that when it gets into the cells of muscle tissue, vitamin D increases the frequency of muscle contractions, helping the muscles to remain strong and elastic. This protects them from tears and minor injuries, including during training.

How to get vitamin D

Most people can get enough vitamin D by being in the sun for 15-20 minutes daily. The optimal time for this is from 11:00 to 15:00. Moreover, in order to provide your body with vitamin D, you need to stay in the sun without a cream with SPF, which is all dermatological recommendations.

And here's a more rational option - food. While they will never provide you with the same amount of vitamin D as sunlight, they will work quite well in a supplement company. So in the fall and winter, make sure you have fatty fish (salmon, mackerel, tuna), liver, and vitamin D-fortified dairy products and cereals in your diet.

Vitamin D is responsible not only for the strength of bones and teeth. The effect of vitamin D is much larger. He is responsible for skin condition and gene integrity. Calciferol deficiency can worsen general well-being, depressive conditions and even tumor processes. It is important to maintain high levels of vitamin D in the body. The lack of calciferol is especially dangerous in pregnant women and young children. They are able to restore the balance of nutrients balanced diet and vitamin D preparations.

Daily requirement

Adults should consume 2.5 mcg per day so as not to have health problems. A special need for calciferol is experienced by the female body during pregnancy and lactation. The daily dosage is 10 mcg.

Interestingly, the need for vitamin D will always be higher for those who live in countries with short daylight hours. Residents of high latitudes, bedridden patients, and nocturnal people should consume up to 5-7.5 μg of calciferol per day. It is especially important for women during menopause to take vitamin D supplements.
The body of the elderly needs an additional source of calciferol. The same can be said about babies, residents of ecologically dirty areas, vegetarians.

Vitamin D is unique in its kind. It acts as both a vitamin and a hormone at the same time. It increases the absorption of calcium, strengthens all hard tissues in the body, improves blood composition.

Symptoms of hypovitaminosis

Lack of calciferol causes serious health problems. The symptoms of vitamin deficiency are:

fast gain or sudden weight loss;
chronic depression;
increased blood sugar;
weakening of immunity;
mood swings;
fragility of nails and alopecia;
bone weakness;
high fatigue and chronic fatigue;
cramps and muscle weakness;
joint pain.

Men are less likely to experience vitamin D deficiency, which is explained by hormonal changes in the female body during menopause, during pregnancy and breastfeeding... Indirect signs of vitamin deficiency are osteoporosis, tuberculosis, cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus. Women may have problems conceiving.

With a lack of calciferol, the body's vulnerability to infections increases. Flu and colds are more common, skin deteriorates, acne and pimples appear. May be disturbed by headaches, obsessive states, bad dream... Symptoms for vitamin deficiency are variable, therefore, a clarifying diagnosis is required. It is recommended to take a test for 25-hydroxyvitamin D. This is an informative research method, and it is carried out on an empty stomach. Normally, vitamin D is 30.0-74.0 ng / ml.

Vitamin D deficiency is indicated stoop, retarded development in children, crunching and joint pain. With vitamin deficiency, secondary hyperparathyroidism, early Parkinson's disease, progressive diabetes, multiple sclerosis, ovarian and breast tumors can occur.

Causes of Vitamin D Deficiency

Avitaminosis develops in every fourth person on the planet. Deficiency occurs due to a lack of ultraviolet radiation, an unbalanced diet, physical and mental exhaustion.

Severe vitamin deficiency can be a consequence of the following factors:

liver pathology- liver problems provoke the destruction of the body's own vitamin D;
gastrointestinal diseases- cause disturbances in the synthesis of calciferol;
dark skin- assimilation of the vitamin decreases, which is why residents of the southern regions are faced with vitamin deficiency, finding themselves in the northern latitudes;
inaccuracies in power supply- vegetarians suffer more often than others. They receive less fatty acids and other useful substances that promote the absorption of calciferol. Diets and fasting days can also cause calciferol deficiency;
elderly age- problems with vitamin D occur in almost all people over 50 years old. Over the years, the assimilation of calciferol decreases, and the synthesis of its own decreases;
seasonality- in winter, there is less ultraviolet radiation, which means that the absorption of vitamins is lower. Interestingly, ultraviolet light acts only in the open air, it makes no sense to sunbathe through glass;
bearing a child- a huge burden falls on the female body during pregnancy. It is especially difficult in the last trimester. Women expecting a baby should take additional vitamin D supplements.

They can aggravate the situation dysbiosis, hereditary factors, frequent colds. It is important to maintain adequate physical activity, walk in the fresh air and spend enough time in the sun, especially in childhood.

Ways to Replenish Calciferol Lack

Calciferol deficiency manifests itself in different ways, and the methods of correction are the same for everyone. First of all, they change their diet, pay attention to foods containing calcium and vitamin D. The consequences of prolonged vitamin deficiency can be extremely dangerous, so it is important to compensate for the lack of calciferol.

Balanced diet

Calciferol can be replenished with a well-thought-out diet. Fatty fish are especially rich in vitamin D. Sources of calciferol include foods such as butter, cheese, milk, beef and pork liver, fish fat, egg yolk, chanterelle mushrooms, yeast.

It is possible to compensate for vitamin D with shiitake, corn oil, parsley, nettle and dandelion greens. Meat by-products are a source of vitamin D. They can be offered even to children. early age in the form of mashed potatoes.
Caffeine is considered the enemy of vitamin D. That is why the content of coffee, tea and other tonic drinks should be limited in the diet.

Vitamin complexes

A quick way to replenish calciferol deficiency is to take vitamin complexes... Treatment of vitamin deficiency is carried out in a comprehensive manner, so it is important not to overdo it with vitamins. Hypervitaminosis is no less dangerous than calciferol deficiency. Vessels become fragile, infertility, atherosclerosis, or cardiac pathologies may develop. Before taking pharmacy drugs, you should make sure of the diagnosis.

You should not rely on symptoms, because health problems can be caused by other reasons. Correction of vitamin deficiency requires the intervention of a specialist. Traditionally, the following drugs are prescribed:

Drug names	Description
Ergocalciferol	It is offered in the form of pills, oil capsules and alcohol solutions. Enriched with vitamin D2.
Doppel herz Aktiv	Contains calcium and vitamin D3. Helps with hair loss, strengthens bones, acts as a prophylaxis for ailments of the musculoskeletal system.
Devisol	It is not a medicine, but it stimulates the synthesis of vitamin D in the body, helps with edema, metabolic problems and obesity. Used to treat children. Contains cholecalciferol and has an intense effect on bone tissue.
Alpha-D3-TEVA	Helps with rickets, decreased vision, is easily absorbed and is suitable for the treatment of vitamin deficiency in childhood.
Vigantol	Prevents osteoporosis, obesity, high blood sugar. Improves the absorption of calcium. It is an oily preparation with a high degree of bioavailability.

ethnoscience

To prevent diseases caused by vitamin D deficiency, traditional medicine will help:

	Cooking recipes
Dandelion salad	Wash the leaves and chop, add a few slices of fresh cucumber, season with olive oil, lightly salt. Such a salad will be useful for edema and skin dermatitis: hives, itching, irritation.
Nettle salad	Young greens are poured over with boiling water so that the spiciness goes away. For two handfuls of nettles, take 5 stalks of green onions, a bunch of parsley, a handful of peeled and toasted walnuts. Mix and season with vegetable oil, preferably nut oil.
Alfalfa	It is added to salads, cereals, side dishes. Useful properties possess directly seeds that germinate within 1-2 days. They help with allergies, brittle bones, depression and dizziness.
Horsetail decoction	Take a tablespoon of raw materials in a glass of water, bring to a boil, insist for 20 minutes. Take a glass daily. This remedy helps with kidney disease, hair loss, brittle nails. Horsetail is diuretic, but does not flush calcium out of the body.

Possible complications

If the analysis revealed a lack of calciferol, then you can not delay treatment. If vitamin D levels are not stopped, complications such as periodontal disease and tooth loss, frequent fractures, asthma, arthritis and chronic migraines can occur.
The greatest blow is taken by the musculoskeletal system. Irreversible joint pathologies develop, pains in the spine appear. In childhood, rickets is formed, the child lags behind in development from peers. If a lack of vitamin D is diagnosed in a pregnant woman, then fetal pathologies are not excluded.

Health problems can occur both with a lack of calciferol and with an excess of it. Therefore, one should not rush to treatment without being convinced of the diagnosis.

Fat-soluble compounds called "vitamin D" play a significant role in the body, ensuring its development and normal functioning. Deficiency of vitamin D seriously disrupts the work of many systems and organs, in some cases provokes the development of serious complications and diseases (https://ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hypovitaminosis_D).

Influence on the body

Vitamin D is of particular importance for the human body. On the one hand, the substance helps in the assimilation of calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, thereby ensuring the correct formation, development, nutrition and regenerative processes in the bones. The element stimulates metabolic processes, improves the absorption of these substances in the intestine.

On the other hand, D3 acts as a hormone, controlling and participating in the metabolism of carbohydrates.

Vitamin has the most beneficial effect on various systems and organs:

Participates in the assimilation of calcium - the main "building" element of bone tissue in the human body. Lack of substance leads to a decrease in bone density, changes in its structure, increased fragility and fragility. Destructive processes affect all tissues and organs where calcium is present: bones, teeth, ligaments, cartilage, blood, muscles. Women are at particular risk during menopause, when hormonal changes affect the assimilation of substances necessary for the body and the synthesis of vitamin D in a negative way;
Vitamin D prevents rickets in newborns. During pregnancy, the substance helps in the proper formation of fetal bone tissue. Vitamin prevents the leaching of calcium and the occurrence of diseases of the musculoskeletal system of the expectant mother;
The beneficial effect of the substance on nervous system is to provide nutrition, restore nerve cells;
Immune protection. Vitamin is involved in the formation of cells of the immune system, helping the body to resist infectious lesions and inflammation. The substance is able to resist the development of cancer cells, reduces the growth of tumors;
Being a hormone-like substance, vitamin D is involved in the metabolism of carbohydrates and controls glucose levels. Thanks to this, reproductive function is restored, the development of diabetes mellitus... Vitamin D is essential for diseases thyroid gland as it helps in the absorption of calcium and magnesium;
The special role of the substance is to rejuvenate the body, restore attractiveness. Vitamin D significantly accelerates metabolic processes, which leads to the burning of fats and a decrease in weight. At the same time, the condition of the skin improves - its elasticity, tone increases, wrinkles are smoothed; hair becomes thicker and shinier.

Vitamin Sources

The main substances in group D are cholecalciferol (D3) and ergocalciferol (D2). Cholecalciferol (https://ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cholecalciferol) is synthesized in the human liver when exposed to sunlight. D2 enters the body through food.

Lack of vitamin D: symptoms in adults

The daily intake of vitamin D depends on several factors: age, physical activity, living conditions of a person. The required daily dose of the substance is:

Newborns from birth to one year = 10mkg;
Children 1 to 8 years of age = 15 mcg;
Adolescents, adult women and men (9 to 70) = 15 mcg;
Pregnant and lactating mothers = 15 mcg;
Seniors over 70 = 20 mcg.

Lack of vitamin D vitamin appears already in the early stages of the deficiency of the substance. The main reasons for insufficient vitamin intake are:

Age-related changes. Upon reaching the age of 50, the ability to assimilate vitamin D in the human body deteriorates;
Limited exposure to the sun;
The period of carrying the baby, breastfeeding. During pregnancy, the body of the expectant mother gives most of the nutrients to the fetus, just as during breastfeeding, the bulk of the vitamins and minerals are given to the baby;
Individual characteristics of a person. In people with dark skin, vitamin D is synthesized in smaller quantities, which is due to the increased ability of this type of skin to protect itself from UV rays;
Features of the diet. Adherents of vegetarian and mono-diets, excluding the consumption of fatty fish, meat, dairy products, deprive their body of the necessary amount of vitamin D, which leads to its deficiency. The substance is also present in herbal products, but its amount is very small, moreover, in a similar form, it is absorbed worse;
Diseases of the internal organs. Pathologies of the kidneys, stomach, liver reduce the production of the vitamin, reduce its absorption.

How do you know if your body lacks vitamin D? At the initial stage, hypovitaminosis will manifest itself with the following symptoms:

Excessive sweating of the occipital region;
The development of carious lesions, curvature of the teeth;
Decreased appetite, dramatic weight loss;
Posture disorders (stoop, heavy gait);
Soreness in the joints;
Deterioration of the condition of the skin, hair, nails;
Decreased visual perception, inflammatory processes of the organs of vision;
Chronic fatigue that does not go away with rest.

Important! At the first symptoms, you need to consult a doctor. The specialist will prescribe you an examination, according to the results of which the necessary corrective therapy will be prescribed.

How is vitamin deficiency in women manifested?

The obvious signs of vitamin deficiency in women is the instability of the psycho-emotional state. Sharp mood swings occur - from apathetic states to irritation and aggression. Seasonal depressions appear. The number of nervous breakdowns increases, chronic stress develops.

A decrease in vitamin D in women has a negative effect on reproductive function. Ovulation is impaired, there are problems with conception.

The lack of vitamin affects the appearance. The condition of the skin deteriorates, it loses its elasticity, becomes flabby, pale gray. The shine and thickness of the hair disappears, the legs begin to exfoliate.

How does D-vitamin deficiency manifest in men?

One of the obvious symptoms of a decrease in vitamin levels in men is a strong increase in weight, up to obesity. Concomitant manifestations are the occurrence of convulsive conditions, joint pain and muscle weakness.

The destruction of bone tissue caused by a lack of calcium (with a lack of vitamin D) begins to restore the male hormone testosterone. As a result, its number falls, which affects the quality of sperm, sperm activity. A decrease in testosterone, a decrease in the concentration of calcium in the blood reduces libido, there are problems with potency.

You can confirm the low content of vitamin D in the blood by taking a D25-OH test. The study will evaluate in detail the level of the substance in your body. You can learn more about this type of examination from the article:.

What does the lack of vitamin D lead to: possible diseases

Prolonged vitamin D deficiency can lead to serious complications. Lack of vitamin D causes the following diseases:

Expressed destruction of bone tissue is manifested in the development of diseases of the musculoskeletal system: osteoporosis, osteochondrosis, arthritis, arthrosis. Diseases are characterized by severe pain syndrome, deformation of bone and cartilage tissue, and decreased motor ability. An especially dangerous manifestation of osteoporosis is pathological fractures that occur even with a slight effect on the bone. Infectious and inflammatory diseases of the oral cavity develop - caries, periodontal disease, pulpitis;
Serious reproductive disorders. Long-term vitamin deficiency provokes female and male infertility;
Common colds and viral lesions. Regardless of the season, people with a lack of substance are prone to frequent ENT diseases, ARVI, ARI;
Severe disorders of the psycho-emotional state. Lack of vitamin provokes the development of depressive conditions, the intervals between which are becoming shorter. Sharp mood swings, chronic stress, inadequate reaction to any events in a person's life occur.
Violation of the level of glucose, controlled with a normal amount of vitamin in the blood, leads to the development of diabetes mellitus;
Weakening of the immune defense, reducing the resistance to cancer cells, provokes the development of cancer;
Serious heart failure occurs, the risk of thrombosis increases;
Pathology of the gastrointestinal tract, urinary system;
One of the consequences of a lack of vitamin D is the development of multiple sclerosis, a number of cognitive disorders.

How to make up for the lack of a substance in the body? Correction of the vitamin level is carried out under the mandatory supervision of a doctor, a special diet is prescribed, and the intake of dietary supplements with a vitamin. At the initial stage, it is much easier to replenish the required concentration than with an advanced stage of vitamin deficiency, when serious complications arise.

Health

Fat-soluble vitamin D performs an essential function in the body - it ensures the complete absorption of calcium, magnesium and phosphorus, which makes teeth and bones strong and healthy. But this is the role of this vitamin does not end!

Vitamin D:

strengthens the immune system,
promotes the development and growth of cells,
normalizes bowel function,
prevents the development of cancer,
improves skin condition,
promotes the production of insulin, thereby reducing the risk of developing diabetes,
regulates performance blood pressure, preventing strokes and heart attacks.

But a deficiency of vitamin D in childhood can lead to such a serious disease as rickets, in which irreversible deformation of the skeletal structure occurs. But adults also need this vitamin, which regulates metabolism, provides energy and good mood for the whole day!

Therefore, it is extremely important to recognize the lack of vitamin D in time, which will allow it to be replenished in a timely manner without losing the quality of life.

So, let's look at the main signs of vitamin D deficiency.

1. Pain and weakness in muscles and bones

Long-term muscle "pulling" pains and "aches" in the bones and joints, the intensity of which either increases or decreases, may be symptoms of vitamin D deficiency.

And the culprit is poor absorption of magnesium, phosphorus and calcium, which are responsible for maintaining the health of muscles, bones and joints.

For the same reason, pain in the spinal and cervical regions can be observed.

2. Loss of bone mass

Lack of vitamin D in the body leads to poor absorption of calcium and disruptions in bone metabolism, as a result of which there is a loss of bone mass.

As a result, bones become fragile, which is fraught with frequent fractures.

3. Frequent colds and flu

It has been proven that with a low level of vitamin D, the body's defenses weaken, and the most vulnerable become Airways... Hence the frequent colds, bronchitis and pneumonia, especially in cold and damp weather.

4. Increased blood pressure

Lack of vitamin D can cause an increase in blood pressure. This is because our body produces a peptide that raises blood pressure by retaining water and sodium.

Vitamin D counteracts this process, due to which the pressure is normalized.

5. Bowel problems

Poor absorption of food, accompanied by belching, flatulence, abdominal pain and diarrhea, is one of the signs of vitamin D deficiency.

Important! Crohn's disease, celiac disease and intestinal inflammation can lead to malabsorption of this vitamin. Therefore, the listed symptoms cannot be ignored!

See also: Vitamins A, C, D, E, F and K: benefits, content in foods

6. Obesity

In clinical studies, it was found that vitamin D deficiency contributes to an increase in body fat. It is also interesting that the loss of only 10% of body weight increases the concentration of this vitamin in the body.

Important! Overweight people need to get more vitamin D in order to ensure a full metabolism and maintain weight than those who are in the normal range. This is due to the fact that fat absorbs most of the vitamin entering the body.

7. Increased sweating

Sweating is an important physiological process that helps to cool the body. But if you perspire even in the absence physical activity, and increased sweating is observed mainly in the scalp, this is a reason to be tested for vitamin D!

8. Daytime sleepiness and sleep disturbance

Lack of vitamin D negatively affects the amount of sleep, the duration of which rarely exceeds 5-6 hours per day for this pathology.

In addition, the quality of sleep also suffers: it becomes more difficult to fall asleep, sleep is restless and shallow, with frequent awakenings. In the morning there is no feeling of cheerfulness (on the contrary, a person feels "overwhelmed").

9. Chronic fatigue

Vitamin D takes part in the conversion of food directly into energy. Therefore, its lack can make itself felt:

the appearance of constant fatigue, which appears even after prolonged sleep or rest,
impaired concentration,
decreased mental activity.

10. Depression and mood swings

Vitamin D is needed to synthesize the "hormone of happiness and pleasure" called serotonin.