Symptoms of vitamin D deficiency

Vitamin D

Vitamin D is a fat soluble vitamin, an important nutrient needed by the body to perform many vital functions, such as: maintaining strong and healthy bones, regulating calcium in the blood, and also absorbing and depositing calcium and phosphorus in bones and teeth, as needed The body to perform muscle functions, and connect the brain with the body through nerves, as the immune system needs to fight bacteria and viruses, in addition vitamin D works with calcium to protect against the loss of bone mass in the body.

Vitamin D deficiency

Vitamin D deficiency occurs when the body is supplied with less than the recommended levels for a long period of time, causing rickets and osteopalacia. Vitamin D deficiency causes rickets in children, Bone and skeletal malformations. In adults, vitamin D deficiency leads to bone weakness and bone pain and muscle weakness are indicative of inadequate levels of vitamin D in the body.

Psychiatric symptoms of Vitamin D deficiency

Malnutrition and lack of exposure to sunlight are two factors that play a major role in vitamin D deficiency, which is common in patients with mental disorders. The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency is higher in psychiatric patients. Vitamin D deficiency leads to a range of psychological symptoms , Including: mood swings, dyspepsia, depression, and anxiety.

Diseases related to vitamin D deficiency:

• Depression: Depression itself is a generalized condition of debilitation where all human functions are weakened. Some studies have shown correlation with depression with low levels of vitamin D, so it is possible that vitamin D supplements can help improve mood.

Sun exposure and exercise are two known alternative treatments for depression. Eating outdoors in the sun, eating foods rich in vitamin D, and supplements are important steps to improve vitamin D deficiency. On mental health, and can be a simple and cost-effective solution for many at risk of depression and other mental disorders.

• Schizophrenia: Vitamin D levels are usually lower in people with schizophrenia. About 65% of patients with schizophrenia have vitamin D deficiency, and schizophrenia tends to be more prevalent in cold climates at high latitudes, because vitamin D levels ) Affected primarily by exposure to sunlight.
• Multiple sclerosis: Vitamin D deficiency significantly increases the risk of developing sclerosis, making it a reliable sign of the disease. Treatment of vitamin D deficiency may reduce the risk of developing the disease.
• Brain damage: Vitamin D is important for the development of the brain. Vitamin deficiency may cause damage to the nervous system and other organs. Vitamin D deficiency is particularly common among older people. It is important to maintain the normal level of vitamin D, ; In order to prevent damage caused by free radicals, and harmful consequences that occur in the brain.

Sources of Vitamin D

There are several sources for vitamin D, and have been divided into three main ways:

• the sun: Vitamin D is known as the sun’s rays, because when the skin is exposed to the sun, the body converts these rays to vitamin D through various chemical reactions.
• Diet: There are very few foods that naturally contain vitamin D, including:
  • Fatty fish such as salmon and tuna are among the best dietary sources of vitamin D.
  • Liver and egg yolk; but they provide small amounts of vitamin D.
  • Mushrooms also contain vitamin D, if grown under ultraviolet light.
• Foods supported: Vitamin D is found in many foods that provide the majority of the amounts a person gets from the diet; however, the nutritional information attached to these products should be read to ensure that they contain vitamin D and the quantity of vitamin D contained in them.
  • Milk fortified.
  • Grain fortified.
  • Orange juice, milk and cheese.
• Nutritional supplements: It is not recommended to take supplements unless you consult your doctor and take the necessary tests to diagnose the situation and make sure there is a lack of vitamin D.

The body needs vitamin D

The following table shows the RDA of Vitamin D to maintain bone health and calcium metabolism in the body by age group:

Steps to avoid Vitamin D deficiency

Some steps can be taken to maintain the natural levels of vitamin D. Here are some of them:

• Exposure to sunlight for 15 minutes per day.
• Eat foods rich in vitamin D.
• Eat foods fortified with vitamin D, such as cereals and milk.
• Multivitamins containing vitamin D