Introduction
Vitamin D is an essential nutrient that plays a key role in many bodily functions, including bone health, immune system function, and even mood regulation. Unfortunately, many of us are deficient in this important vitamin. In this article, we’ll discuss the signs that you may be lacking in Vitamin D, as well as some tips on how to get more of it in your diet. We’ll also provide some food suggestions from Eat This Not That to help you get the Vitamin D you need. So, if you’re feeling a bit off, read on to find out if you’re lacking in Vitamin D and what you can do about it.
Sure Signs You’re Lacking Vitamin D, Say Experts — Eat This Not That
Vitamin D is an essential nutrient that helps your body absorb calcium and phosphorus, which are important for strong bones and teeth. Unfortunately, many people don’t get enough of this important vitamin. Here are some signs that you may be lacking in vitamin D, according to experts.
1. You Feel Tired All the Time
If you’re feeling exhausted all the time, it could be a sign that you’re not getting enough vitamin D. Low levels of vitamin D can lead to fatigue and a lack of energy. If you’re feeling tired all the time, it’s a good idea to get your vitamin D levels checked.
2. You Have Weak Bones
Vitamin D is essential for strong bones and teeth. If you’re experiencing weak bones or teeth, it could be a sign that you’re not getting enough vitamin D. If you’re concerned about your bone health, it’s a good idea to get your vitamin D levels checked.
3. You Have Low Moods
Low levels of vitamin D can lead to low moods and depression. If you’re feeling down or depressed, it could be a sign that you’re not getting enough vitamin D. If you’re concerned about your mental health, it’s a good idea to get your vitamin D levels checked.
4. You Have Muscle Pain
Low levels of vitamin D can lead to muscle pain and weakness. If you’re experiencing muscle pain or weakness, it could be a sign that you’re not getting enough vitamin D. If you’re concerned about your muscle health, it’s a good idea to get your vitamin D levels checked.
Eat This Not That
If you’re concerned that you may be lacking in vitamin D, there are some foods that you can eat to help boost your levels. Foods that are high in vitamin D include fatty fish such as salmon, tuna, and mackerel, as well as fortified milk, yogurt, and orange juice. You can also get vitamin D from supplements.
The most popular supplement in America isn’t Vitamin C or a multivitamin—it’s Vitamin D. Vitamin D regulates your calcium levels, vital for healthy bones, and facilitates normal immune system function. (In that regard, it has been promoted by some as a barrier against COVID-19.) Dr. Anthony Fauci takes Vitamin D supplements, because he says he has a lack of it. So how do you know if you need it too? “Lack of vitamin D is not quite as obvious in adults,” says the Cleveland Clinic. “Signs and symptoms might include” the following. Read on—and to ensure your health and the health of others, don’t miss these Sure Signs You’ve Already Had COVID.
“Vitamin D deficiency is frequent and has been associated with fatigue and other unspecific symptoms including headache, musculoskeletal pain and weakness, depression, and impaired cognitive performance,” says one study published in Medicine. “Vitamin D treatment significantly improved fatigue in otherwise healthy persons with vitamin D deficiency.”
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“Vitamin D status influences musculoskeletal health,” says one study, published in Musculoskeletal Medicine. “Low vitamin D levels may lead to clinical manifestations, including bone pain, muscle weakness, falls, low bone mass, and fractures, with subsequent diagnoses of osteomalacia, osteoporosis, and myopathy.”
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“Vitamin D is increasingly recognised to play an important role in normal muscle function,” say the authors of one study, published in Bone Reports. “Low vitamin D status is associated with an increased risk of falls and proximal weakness. Since vitamin D deficiency is very common, and the signs are non-specific, it is important to maintain a high index of suspicion of vitamin D deficiency in patients with muscle pain and weakness.”
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“Depression in its own right is a disabling condition impairing all aspects of human function,” say the authors of a study in Issues in Mental Health Nursing. “In persons with a chronic medical disease, depression often makes the management of chronic illness more difficult. Recently, vitamin D has been reported in the scientific and lay press as an important factor that may have significant health benefits in the prevention and the treatment of many chronic illnesses. Most individuals in this country have insufficient levels of vitamin D. This is also true for persons with depression as well as other mental disorders.”
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“Severe lack of vitamin D causes rickets, which shows up in children as incorrect growth patterns, weakness in muscles, pain in bones and deformities in joints,” says the Cleveland Clinic. “This is very rare. However, children who are deficient in vitamin D can also have muscle weakness or sore and painful muscles.”
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“Your doctor can order a blood test to measure your levels of vitamin D,” says the Cleveland Clinic. “There are two types of tests that might be ordered, but the most common is the 25-hydroxyvitamin D, known as 25(OH)D for short. For the blood test, a technician will use a needle to take blood from a vein. You do not need to fast or otherwise prepare for this type of test.” And to get through this pandemic at your healthiest, don’t miss these 35 Places You’re Most Likely to Catch COVID.