The Vitamin D Facts

So just what are vitamin d deficiency symptoms?  You might have heard of the most obvious of the deficiencies — rickets — but are there any other symptoms you whould know about?

First we’ll talk about rickets, and then about the rest of the vitamin d deficiency symptoms.

Vitamin D and Rickets

This is the most widely-known of the vitamin d deficiencies.  And in fact, the RDA / MDA was created at 400 IU because that was what it takes to prevent rickets. 

Rickets is a childhood disease, and it is evidenced by softened bones, and the resulting deformities of the long bones of the body.  An early symptom of rickets is craniotabes, which is an abnormal thinning / softening of the skull.

If you’re reading this, you’re likely past the age where rickets would be an issue.  So what are some of the other warning signs you do need to watch for?

Vitamin D Deficiency Symptoms

So now that you’re past childhood and rickets isn’t a warning sign.  What should you be on the lookout for?  Well, you just might be surprised at the list!  Take a look and see how many may apply to you:

• Fatigue
• Muscle pain, weakness or cramping
• Joint pain and/or swelling
• Chronic pain
• Poor concentration and memory
• Restless sleep
• Headaches
• Uncontrolled weight gain
• High blood pressure
• Bowel problems
• Bladder problems

Find any there that you can relate to?  It’s pretty scary when you think about it.

Diseases Associated With Vitamin D Deficiency

It’s quite amazing that one vitamin can cover so many bases.  And actually, vitamin d isn’t really a vitamin per se (although I’ll cover that in a different post).  But for the time being, let’s call it a vitamin, and see what diseases are associated with its lack.

• Alzheimer’s
• Arthritis
• Autoimmune diseases (multiple sclerosis, lupus)
• Depression, including SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder)
• Diabetes
• Fibromyalgia
• Gum disease
• Heart disease
• Obesity
• Osteoperosis
• Parkinson’s

There’s also growing evidence that vitamin d, by strengthening the body’s immune system, can help prevent or fight off cancer.

Now I’m the first to admit that any or all of the above could be caused by something other than a deficiency of vitamin d.  But doesn’t it make sense that if you do have one of the above conditions, that you have your vitamin d levels checked?  Take a moment and review the causes of a vitamin d deficiency, then think about how much you get on a daily basis.

Comments are closed.