Vitamin D is a sunlight vitamin that is required for a variety of bodily activities. The vitamin not only ensures the health of your bones, teeth, and muscles, but it also aids in the regulation of other nutrients. Around one in every five Britons suffers from vitamin D deficiency. During the winter, your body may not be able to get enough of this vitamin from direct sunlight, making the shortage even more common.
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Vitamin D aids many bodily functions, including immunity and heart health. The sunlight vitamin aids in the absorption of calcium and phosphorus from food. The minerals are then used by your body to keep your bones, teeth, and muscles healthy and strong. As a result, if your body lacks vitamin D, various parts of your body may be attacked. There are several indicators that you may be deficient in this nutrient.
Signs of vitamin D deficiency
Under mild pressure, your bones can become sore. This is most noticeable in the ribs and shin bones. Another part of your body that may be affected by this issue is your back. This area, as well as your hips, pelvis, thighs, and feet, may experience bone discomfort. Meaning, these areas will be more painful than other parts. However, the pain in your bones isn't the only symptom of vitamin D insufficiency. Other symptoms include:
- Tiredness
- Muscle weakness
- Muscle pain
- Muscle spasms
Reportedly, this deficiency can be challenging to detect because it isn't quite visible in adults. Your body can synthesise enough of this vitamin solely from sunlight during the summer months, which usually begins in late March and conclude in September. As a result, the NHS advises that spending time outside with bare skin can provide just enough.
Vitamin D deficiency in winters
However, this becomes more difficult from October onwards because your body may struggle to meet the recommended level. As a result, the government advises considering vitamin D supplements to fill in the gap. Adults and children over the age of one need 10 micrograms of vitamin D every day. Vitamin D concentration is also measured in international units (IU).
The equivalent of one microgram of this vitamin is 40 IU, bringing your daily target to 400 IU. Babies under the age of one year require approximately 8.5 to 10 micrograms each day. Vitamin D can also be obtained from certain foods, such as oily fish and mushrooms, or via supplements.
