| There are so many possible symptoms of vitamin D | | | | Rickets is a childhood disease characterized by |
| deficiency that this condition has largely been | | | | stumped growth and deformed long bones, especially |
| overlooked. With all the warnings we get about staying | | | | in the legs and arms. This condition can have very |
| out of the sun, our primary source of vitamin D, | | | | severe effects on the development of the bones. |
| deficiencies have reached epidemic proportions | | | | Children with rickets may have fragile bones that are |
| worldwide. Studies show that as much as 60-90 | | | | easily fractured. They may also develop bowed legs, |
| percent of the population may be deficient in vitamin D. | | | | pelvic bone deformities, spine curvatures and |
| Symptoms of Vitamin D Deficiency are Found in Many | | | | protruding breastbones. Children with rickets may |
| Common Diseases | | | | experience bone pain in their legs, pelvis and spine. |
| Vitamin D deficiencies may be generally be | | | | Rickets may also result in poor muscle tone, which |
| characterized by muscle pain, bone fractures, low | | | | may lead to muscle weakness. Rickets may delay the |
| energy and fatigue, lowered immunity, symptoms of | | | | formation of some teeth. It may also increase the risk |
| depression and mood swings, and sleep irregularities. | | | | of cavities, and decrease the amount of enamel on |
| Low vitamin D levels are found in many diseases. | | | | the teeth. |
| Vitamin D deficiencies have been associated with a | | | | Osteomalacia is a bone-thinning disorder that occurs |
| long list of chronic illnesses. Here is a partial list: | | | | exclusively in adults and is characterized by muscle |
| - type-1 diabetes | | | | weakness and bone fragility. It does not usually result in |
| - heart disease | | | | bone deformities in adults. Adults with osteomalacia |
| - colon, breast and prostate cancers | | | | may experience bone pain in their legs, pelvis and |
| - low blood calcium levels | | | | spine. They are more at risk of breaking bones in their |
| - chronic bone, muscle, or joint pain | | | | legs, spine and ribs. |
| - chronic fatigue | | | | Osteoporosis is a condition characterized by reduced |
| - colds and flu | | | | bone mineral density and increased bone fragility. |
| - asthma | | | | Bones affected by osteoporosis are more at risk of |
| - obesity | | | | fracturing. These fractures occur with just a slight |
| - rheumatoid arthritis | | | | amount of stress, much less than in healthy people not |
| - infertility | | | | affected by osteoporosis. Typical fractures occur in |
| - high blood pressure | | | | the spinal column, hip and wrist. |
| - acne | | | | Steps to Take if You Have Symptoms of Vitamin D |
| - gingivitis, periodontal disease and cavities | | | | Deficiency |
| - depression and Seasonal Affective Disorder | | | | If you do suffer from any of the above problems, you |
| - multiple sclerosis | | | | would be wise to get more vitamin D right away, |
| - inflammatory bowel disease | | | | starting with regular sunbathing. In an average |
| - tuberculosis | | | | temperate climate, you would need two or three hours |
| Now, none of these are necessarily evidence of | | | | a week in the summertime. If you don't already get this |
| vitamin D deficiencies. However, while many of these | | | | much exposure, you are probably vitamin D deficient, |
| health issues may also have other causes, low vitamin | | | | whether or not you have any obvious symptoms. |
| D levels are a common factor found in all of them. | | | | If you live north of 30 degrees latitude (most of the |
| Since vitamin D plays such a pivotal role in | | | | USA and all of Europe), the sun's rays aren't strong |
| strengthening your immune system, it's easy to see | | | | enough for about half of the year to produce any |
| that a compromised immune system due to low | | | | vitamin D at all. This is when you really need to take |
| vitamin D levels could easily lead to any of the above | | | | supplements, since food sources are not abundant |
| conditions. | | | | enough to provide optimum levels of vitamin D. |
| The Most Recognized Symptoms of Vitamin D | | | | If you have severe symptoms of vitamin D deficiency, |
| Deficiency. | | | | seek a professional medical consultation and get a |
| Soft Bone Disorders. The most familiar health | | | | 25-hydroxyvitamin D test to confirm your vitamin D |
| problems resulting from low levels of vitamin D are | | | | levels. Be aware that most of today's doctors |
| soft bone disorders, called rickets in children, | | | | received little or no training in medical school in |
| osteomalacia in adults, and osteoporosis in seniors. | | | | diagnosing symptoms of vitamin D deficiency. They |
| Soft bone disorders indicate an inadequate supply of | | | | also do not routinely test for vitamin D deficiencies, so |
| calcium to strengthen bones, which is usually a direct | | | | they may not be up to date with the latest research. |
| result of inadequate vitamin D supplies. | | | | |