Nutrition

The importance of Vitamin D

• Not consuming food rich in Vitamin D


• Lack of outdoor activity hence less exposure to sunlight


• The geographic location that the weather makes outdoor activities close to nil


• High intake of soft drinks could also be a reason for the deficiency in youngsters


• Stress


• Diet


• Obesity


• Smoking


• Consumption of alcohol

Lack of Vitamin D is rather common in pregnant women, infants, aged people and a lot of young people these days, they also suffer from the nutritional deficiency.

Vitamin D is one of the many important nutrients that our body requires to stay healthy. Vitamin D plays a vital role in the proper functioning of the body by helping absorb calcium to build bones and keep them strong. Vitamin D also facilitates functioning of the immune system by fighting against infections and other illness, for instance, flu.

This nutrient does play a role in reducing the risk of breast cancer, colon and prostate cancer, heart diseases, depression, weight gain etc. It is not proved that the lack of Vitamin D causes these conditions but people with higher levels of Vitamin D have the lower risk of developing these conditions.

The two most common conditions caused by a deficiency of Vitamin D are Rickets in children and Osteoporosis (bones become brittle) in adults. Vitamin D deficiency may differ in people depending on their body type and the need for the nutrient. Some people have body types that have an increased need for Vitamin D, some do not make enough Vitamin D and others have a deficiency because of poor intake of dietary Vitamin D. Muscle pain or bone pain may suggest Vitamin D deficiency. In adults, general fatigue, pain in the neck, pain while performing daily activities like sitting or getting up from a chair, climbing stairs etc. are symptoms of deficiency. In children, delayed tooth, slower growth, respiratory symptoms, being prone to infections etc. may be the symptoms.

Review of a patient’s medical history, symptoms, lifestyle and a simple blood test can reveal whether the patient has a lack of Vitamin D or not.

It is highly recommended to seek advice from experts in connection with the Vitamin D intake in case you start to exhibit any of the signs and symptoms of Vitamin D deficiency.

There are available supplements and tablets for Vitamin D which can be used on being consulted and prescribed by a doctor. Certain lifestyle changes like including Vitamin D rich foods in your diet comprising orange juice fortified with Vitamin D, eggs, margarine butter, milk, sardine, tuna, cereals etc. will surely help go a long way in curbing the deficiency. Exposing yourself to sunlight for at least 10 minutes a day will help the skin absorb vitamin D because the sun is the main source of this nutrient.