How Do You Know If You Have A Vitamin D Deficiency?

When vitamin D is severely deficient in diets it can cause osteomalacia in adults and rickets in children. Individuals suffering from lesser degrees of deficiency of this vitamin in their diet may suffer from a burning sensation in the mouth and throat, weight loss, loss of appetite, visual problems, diarrhea and insomnia.

It is normally found that individuals who suffer from nutrient deficiencies that it is usually a result of impaired absorption and utilization, increased excretion, dietary inadequacy, or increased requirement.

People that are candidates for symptoms of vitamin D deficiency are those who take below recommended levels of the vitamin, those who have limited sunlight exposure and those whose kidney cannot change the vitamin to its active hormone form. Also people at risk for a deficiency are those who cannot adequately absorb the vitamin from their digestive tract.
In children severe vitamin D deficiency causes rickets. This is a bone disease where by bone tissue is not properly mineralized. This results in skeletal deformities and soft bones.

Rickets is most commonly caused from lack of sunlight or vitamin D deficient from the diet. It can also occur because of a combination of lack from both.

A reemergence of rickets has resulted in United States in recent years. Exclusive prolonged breastfeeding that does not include vitamin D supplication is believed to be a contributing factor to the reemergence of rickets. Another factor is increased use of day care less outdoor activity and sun exposure. Also extensive use of sunscreens could be contributing to the symptoms seen today in children with severe vitamin D deficiency.

For adults severe vitamin D deficiency may result in osteomalacia. In addition to weakened bones it also causes muscular weakness. Symptoms of vitamin D deficiency can be muscle weakness and bone pain. An accurate diagnosis is by measuring the concentration of a specific form of the vitamin in the blood because in the early stages the symptoms may be slight and go unnoticed.

Some antacids, cholesterol lowering drugs, steroid hormones, and mineral oil may interfere with vitamin D absorption. So can gallbladder and liver malfunctions and as well as intestinal disorders.

Toxicity can result from taking amounts of vitamin D over 65,000 IU (international units) over several years. This vitamin should not be taken without calcium.

Pain, Fatigue and Vitamin D Deficiency

Recent studies have shown that low levels of vitamin D double the chances of someone having a heart attack or stroke. An inadequate supply of vitamin D has also been shown to be responsible as a cause of generalized muscle pain and [...]

What happens if you get low on vitamin D?

I just want a list of what is more likely to happen in your body if you get low on vitamin D. Symptoms include Weak Muscles Pains in legs and muscles.

The Vitamin Problem

Few Americans are so deficient in vitamin D that they develop rickets. Nevertheless, many scholarly articles have documented significant levels of vitamin D deficiency in large numbers of Americans, especially the elderly.

Sunny D

Low vitamin D levels in blood are associated with an increased risk of heart disease. Vitamin D may soon join the classic risk factors such as smoking and high fat diet.

Vitamin D May Reduce Risk of Developing Multiple Sclerosois

In a news release, study co-author Julian Knight said, “In people with the DRB1 variant associated with MS, it seems that vitamin D may play a critical role. If too little of the vitamin is available, the gene may not function properly.” … The results of the study support a prior analysis of over 7 million people that found people with the highest blood levels of vitamin D to be 62 percent less likely to develop MS than people with low levels [...]

Too Little Vitamin D Puts Heart at Risk

Information on heart disease and related cardiovascular conditions includes medications, procedures and tests, symptoms, and treatment. … Most experts believe these doses are too low, and that somewhere between 1000 and 2000 IU of vitamin D per day is necessary to maintain adequate vitamin D levels. The safe upper limit of vitamin D consumption is 10000 IU per day. Vitamin D supplements are available in two different forms [...]

Author: Fran Mullens

The wide variety of symptoms of vitamin deficiency can be confusing. At http://www.healthyvitamininfo.com/ you can find information that can help you learn more about symptoms of vitamin deficiency and what you need to do to correct it.

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The latest data links Vitamin D deficiency with a wide range of diseases.  Vitamin D deficiencies are very common, particularly in northern climates. Lack of sunshine, wearing clothing, and use of sunscreens inhibits the natural creation of Vitamin D in the skin.

Do you know what your Vitamin D levels are?

Having optimal Vitamin D levels is a simple and inexpensive health change that can affect a:

78% reduction in type1 diabetes in children

33% reduction in type 2 diabetes

72% reduction in number of falls in the elderly

42% reduction in multiple sclerosis in women

And those without adequate Vitamin D levels are at risk for:

200% increase in type 1 diabetes in children

30-50% more cancers

Optimal levels of Vitamin D result in a 77% reduction in cancer incidence.

Life Extension Foundation Research shows that achieving adequate Vitamin D levels in the US population could prevent as many as of all cancers in as little as four years.

Research also reveals that 275,00 American lives could be saved each year if a nationwide program to get adequate vitamin D levels was implemented.

Low levels of Vitamin D have been identified as a ‘health crisis emergency’. Everything should be done to ensure that everyone achieves optimal Vitamin D status.

Because of convincing evidence of benefit and the strong evidence of safety, we urge those who have the ability to support public health – the media, vitamin manufacturers, and policy makers – to undertake new initiatives that will have a realistic chance of making a difference in terms of vitamin D nutrition.’ 
–American Journal of Clinical Nutrition

A review article in the July 19, 2007 edition of the New England Journal of Medicine documents that those with less than optimal Vitamin D levels have increase incidence of: Autoimmune diseases Osteoarthritis Depression Hypertension Pulmonary disorders Schizophrenia Cardiovascular diseases

In addition, low levels of Vitamin D have been related to:

Osteoporosis

muscle weakness

Hypothyroidism

Non-specific musculoskeletal pain

Chronic low back pain

Fibromyalgia

Stroke

Between 40-100% of elderly people in the US and Europe have insufficient or deficient levels of Vitamin D. Even children and young adults who supplement with 400 IU of Vitamin D and consume Vitamin D rich foods can be low in Vitamin D.

And don’t count on sunlight exposure to increase your vitamin D levels.

Vitamin D levels can remain low in some people despite abundant exposure to sunlight. 51% of individuals who had a mean of 11.1 hours per week of total body skin exposure with no sunscreen used still remained low in Vitamin D levels. Tanned skin loses its ability to manufacture Vitamin D and as we age our ability to convert vitamin D in the skin becomes further diminished.

Your Vitamin D status can be assessed by having your blood tested. Vitamin D testing identifies Vitamin D deficiency as a potential cause of numerous health problems. Further testing monitors Vitamin D levels during supplementation to ensure adequate levels are achieved and protects against possible overdosing and toxicity.

The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition states that the ‘minimum Vitamin D blood levels needed to reduce disease risk is 30 ng/mL’ and that it is rare for members of the US population to achieve this.

To account for the significant individual dose response variability, an optimal strategy is to achieve a serum vitamin D (25-hydroxyvitamin D) level of around 60 ng/mL. Depending on your current vitamin D levels you may need to take up to 5,000 IU or more of Vitamin D to achieve this optimal disease prevention level.

The good news is that Vitamin D is inexpensive. That’s why testing for Vitamin D will never be popularized by the media – because there is no expensive drug to push.

It is important to remember that it is the amount of Vitamin D in the blood that determines disease risk – not the amount of Vitamin D consumed. Excess fat in the body can lock up Vitamin D and prevent utilization.

Until recently, a test for Vitamin D levels meant a trip to the doctor and a blood draw. But now, a few drops of blood from a quick and nearly painless prick of the finger with a few spots of blood placed on special collection paper are all that is needed. This can be done at home. It’s convenient, quick and suitable for all populations from pediatric to the elderly.

Your blood spot sample is sent to an independent laboratory for analysis. You’ll have accurate results in just a few days.

Blood spot testing ensures that you achieve optimal levels of Vitamin D and avoid the multiple risks associated with low Vitamin D levels.

Copyright (c) 2008 Mary Ann Copson

By: Mary Ann Copson

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

Mary Ann Copson is a Certified Licensed Nutritionist; Certified Holistic Health Practitioner; Brain Chemistry Profile Clinician; and a Health, Wellness and Lifestyle Coach. Find the Vitamin D Blood Spot Test and more at evenstaronline.com/FunctionalTests

Vitamin D benefits in diabetes
Many of the 23 million Americans with diabetes have low vitamin D levels. Evidence suggests that vitamin D plays an integral role in insulin sensitivity and secretion.

Is Vitamin D Deficiency Linked to Hypertension?
Studies have shown that a Vitamin D deficiency in conjunction with hypertension makes an individual twice as likely to suffer from a cardiac event (stroke, heart attack, etc.)

Vitamin D & diabetes?
Finally, the assessment and suggested treatment for vitamin D deficiency is addressed. Effective detection and treatment of inadequate vitamin D concentrations in persons with diabetes or those at risk for diabetes may [...]

Antidepressant Effect of Vitamin D?
Even if it did say something about causation, it would not necessarily imply anything about treatment. Young points out that most research on the potential antidepressant effect of Vitamin D supplementation is not very helpful. … As Razib pointed out a while ago, vitamin D deficiency is common among non-white persons in Canada. Perhaps that is where some of the interest comes from.

Vitaminn D benefits in diabetes
Many of the 23 million Americans with diabetes have low vitamin D levels. Evidence suggests that vitamin D plays an integral role in insulin sensitivity and secretion.

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This article talks about Vitamin D deficiency. It also tells the dangers as well as how to prevent Vitamin D deficiency.From the time we were little we were always told to drink our milk so we got our correct amount of Vitamin D. While we still are aware of this need in our body today, many of us don’t get the correct amount of Vitamin D leading to a Vitamin D deficiency.

Vitamin D deficiency can causes diseases such as rickets, osteoporosis and ostemalacia. Rickets is a serious disease that occurs in children up to two years of age. Rickets will cause the bones to have a reduced calcification (lack of calcium) when they should be doing the most growing. One of the most common symptoms of rickets is failure to grow, as they should. Other symptoms may be bone deformity, muscular hypotonia and hypo-calcemia, which can possibly cause convulsions.

Other Problems From Vitamin D Deficiency

Other problems can occur from Vitamin D deficiency such as a higher alkaline phosphates concentration in serum. This can result in the bones becoming deformed. Some of the bone deformities that might be noticed are legs becoming curved, deformed pelvis and pigeon chest. In young children, it may affect them by slowing down their walking as teething. If you feel your children are slower than normal in these milestones in their lives, contact your doctor to determine if there is a Vitamin D deficiency or some other deficiency.

Vitamin D Deficiency Can Affect Everyone

Vitamin D deficiency can affect adults as well as children. Although many adults aren’t aware of this, adults need Vitamin D just as much as young children do. When adults are Vitamin D deficient, it is referred to as osteomalacia. This problem occurs more often in women that are pregnant or nursing. This is usually when they need more Vitamin D because so much is going to the baby. Although osteomalacia and rickets are not considered a public health problem in India, they are both very prevalent there.

Osteoporosis is another health problem that can develop from a Vitamin D deficiency. This most often occurs with elderly or postmenopausal women that are not getting the required amount of calcium in their bodies due to hormonal changes. Doctors will usually recommend Vitamin D and calcium supplements for these individuals.

Vitamin D deficiency is Being Corrected

Although Vitamin D deficiency is still occurring in some individuals, it’s not near as common as it was years ago. One reason is that we are more aware now of your needs. Another reason is that there are many health care programs designed for mothers and children. These programs not only provide treatments but also provide them with healthy foods such as milk, cereal and dairy products. Although Vitamin D should be taken in any form possible, it is wiser to have your children get it from natural means like dairy products and plenty of sunshine rather than from a supplement.

By: Alison Addy

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

Still looking for information about vitamin d deficiency? Alison Addy is the author of more resources published at www.bikecyclingreviews.com . Keep reading about vitamin c deficiency and vitamin c supplements at this website.

Is Vitamin D Deficiency Linked to Hypertension?

Since symptoms of Vitamin D are often the same symptoms of other diseases (hypertension, flu-like symptoms, periodontal issues, depression, bone diseases), the best and easiest way to check to see if you are Vitamin D deficient is to [...]

Benefit of vitamin D in diabetes, and other chronic diseases
In fact, Penckofer recently published another study in Circulation that reported on the role of chronic vitamin D deficiency in heart disease.

Vitamin D Deficiency Linked to Cardiovascular Disease
Vitamin D deficiency is associated with a higher frequency of cardiovascular disease, according to a study in the Dec. 1 issue of the American Journal of Cardiology.

Vitamin D is essential
Indeed, several recent observations indicate that people with a vitamin D deficiency are more likely to develop certain types of cancer, such as breast cancer and colon cancer, and cardiovascular diseases.

Affiliate Disclosure: It is advisable to assume that any mention of a product or service on this website is made because there exist, unless otherwise stated, a material connection between the product or service owners and this website and should you make a purchase of a product or service described here the owner of this website may be compensated.  To learn more, please click here.

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VitaminDDeficiencyDiseases.com is dedicated to providing quality information on the subject of low levels of Vitamin D on the body and in particular, on the steps you can take to learn what your actual levels of Vitamin D are and how you can bring them up to an optimal level to enable you to enjoy good health.

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