Vitamin D Deficiency: What Happens When You Lack Vitamin D?

Simply put, your body will seem like it is bursting at the seams when you lack Vitamin D. Studies indicate there is a link between Vitamin D deficiency and insulin problems, high blood pressure, diabetes risk, obesity, among other conditions.

The link between Vitamin D deficiency and pancreatic cells is evident in the fact that Vitamin D receptors are found on pancreatic cells that produce insulin. It is also known that people are more prone to hear attacks in winter, when people stay inside for the most part of the season and thus lower their Vitamin D levels, and that cancer patients have better chances of survival during summer, when Vitamin D levels in the body are at their peak.

Although we do not fully understand how Vitamin D works inside the body, the fact remains that we need to have adequate Vitamin D levels within our body. If your Vitamin D level is lower than 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D, then you have a Vitamin D deficiency.

Vitamin D Deficiency and Death

In a study conducted on 13,331 adults in the United States, the people with the lowest Vitamin D levels had a 26% increase in death risk compared to the people with the highest levels of vitamin D. Researchers also believe that vitamin D deficiency is an independent risk factor for heart disease and should be considered with other risk factors like high blood pressure, family history, or weight. Vitamin D deficiency may also be a factor in the development of cancer as well.

Vitamin D Deficiency and Growing Old

It is a known fact that many older adults have Vitamin D deficiency, however, it is not known whether deficiency in Vitamin D is caused by the body itself (the body cannot produce Vitamin D anymore) or the behavior of seniors (they don?t go out as much in the sunlight). One research suggests that senior citizens who get out in the sun more often have the same Vitamin D levels as that of a young adult. It should be noted, however, that your body does not get Vitamin D from the sun itself. Rather, the sun?s rays only help your body absorb Vitamin D. The best sources of Vitamin D are natural foods like egg yolks.
Vitamin D Deficiency Symptoms

Do you have Vitamin D deficiency? Here?s a checklist of Vitamin D deficiency symptoms:

* You experience muscle pain
* You have weak bones and fractures
* You have low energy and feel constant fatigue
* You have low immunity to diseases (you get sick often)
* You suffer from constant depression or mood swings
* You have irregular sleeping patterns