What Are The Most Common Signs and Symptoms of Vitamin D Deficiency?
Vitamin D is an essential nutrient that serves powerful uses in the human body. In spite of its importance, it is often overlooked by people when adding vitamins into their diet. The reason is often that the symptoms and benefits of healthy vitamin D levels require longer time horizons to present themselves.
Few vitamins affect a person’s overall well-being as much as this nutrient does. Let’s look at some of the benefits, what happens when we don’t get enough, and ways that we can naturally boost our Vitamin D levels for optimal health.
The role of vitamin D in our bodies
Vitamin D has its hands on many important functions. Perhaps most crucial is regulating the absorption of calcium and phosphorus and ensuring the proper function of the immune system.
Normal levels of vitamin D are key to the healthy growth and development of bones and teeth. In addition to their role in crucial body functions, they have also been linked to aiding in other areas as well.
Fighting chronic diseases
Research suggests that vitamin D might contribute to the fight against chronic ailments such as MS, heart disease, and rheumatoid arthritis, to name a few.
Regulate mood
Healthy levels of vitamin D may help the body is experiencing an overall sense of positive well-being and avoidance of depression or anxiety and may even boost energy and focus.
May support weight loss
A goal for many people, research has shown that paired with a healthy diet and exercise, those who regularly supplement with calcium and vitamin D may notice better results than those that don’t.
Symptoms associated with low vitamin D levels
Despite its importance and numerous benefits, nearly 42% of Americans are deficient in this vital nutrient. As important as healthy vitamin D levels are to our bodies, having too little can have a far-reaching negative impact.
Recurring illness and infection
Vitamin D is one of the few nutrients that directly interact with the cells that are tasked with fighting infection.
If you often come down with colds or the flu, low vitamin D levels may be the culprit. A deficiency may even contribute to respiratory tract infections such as bronchitis and pneumonia.
Reduced ability to fight chronic diseases and infection
When there are low levels of vitamin D in the system, it limits the body’s ability to initiate processes that build the immune system and protect cells of the body from infection. It has been shown that low vitamin D may make people more susceptible to viruses such as COVID-19.
Compromised protection against multiple forms of cancer
There are a host of studies that have found a protective relationship between vitamin D and lower risk of different forms of cancer. The evidence suggests that low vitamin D levels could increase the likelihood of cancer incidence and mortality.
Bone pain and muscle weakness
Essentially to the healthy development of the skeletal structure of the body, low vitamin D levels may lead to major issues, including bone pain, muscle weakness, falls in the elderly, low bone mass, and fractures.
Chronic fatigue and tiredness
There is a strong case linking low vitamin D to overall lethargy. It does this by affecting factors such as poor sleep, anxiety, and diminished mental clarity that in turn cause people to experience major fatigue and tiredness.
Factors that contribute to low vitamin D levels
Unlike nutrients such as vitamin C and vitamin B12 that are only derived from diet, the body has the ability to produce vitamin D. Because of this; many would assume that the body is capable of producing the right amount their body needs. While true in principle, it is not the whole picture. How much vitamin D the body produces is dependent on a host of factors.
It’s important to remember that our bodies do not produce Vitamin D in response to low supply. Production is triggered by other factors, including our environment.
Vitamin D production is largely influenced by the amount of direct sunlight a person is exposed to. Depending on lifestyle habits, geographic location, and climate, how much direct sunlight you receive can have a major impact.
Additional contributors to reduced vitamin D include:
- darker skin
- getting older
- obesity
- working indoors or overnight
- having chronic kidney disease, liver disease
- Celiac disease
- using medications like statins and steroids
How to avoid a vitamin D deficiency naturally
Thankfully, there are a series of strategies that we are able to implement in order to make sure that we have healthy, normal levels of vitamin D for our body’s function at peak performance.
Regular direct exposure to sunlight
Direct contact on the skin is essential for your body to receive the signal to begin production of vitamin D. Keep in mind that sunscreen can affect the effectiveness. Even though it is effective, it may not be feasible for people living in low sunlight areas.
Nutrition
There are many dietary sources that can help naturally increase the levels of vitamin D in your body. Adding fish and dairy are common ingredients people add. For example, a 3.5oz serving of salmon contains over half the daily recommended amount of vitamin D for adults. Although food is a practical way to increase vitamin D, some may not find it feasible because of dietary restrictions or weight loss goals.
Oral supplements
Present in many multi-vitamins and as standalone products, taking a vitamin D supplement is a path many choose. The only issue is in regards to the body’s ability to metabolize it effectively. Depending on different factors, absorption may be as low as 20% of what you take.
Vitamin D IV treatments
Considered by many to be the gold standard for boosting vitamin D levels, receiving an IV delivers vitamin D directly into your body, making it immediately ready for use by providing 100% bioavailability to this important nutrient. While the other methods listed may take days or weeks to experience improvement, those receiving IV infusions have experienced changes within just a few hours.
Regardless of what strategies you use to ensure your body has normal vitamin D levels, it is clear that it is an important part of our overall health and optimization.
Vitamin D Shots with Drip Hydration
Our vitamin D shouts can help ensure that you get enough of this essential vitamin D. We make it easy to get vitamin therapy by bringing your appointment directly to you whether you’re at the gym, office, home, or somewhere else. Our IV treatments are a fast and convenient way to get the benefits of vitamin infusions and generally last between 30 - 45 minutes.
In addition to our IVs, we offer select add-ons such as anti-nausea or anti-inflammatory medications, glutathione shots, and B12 shots to provide further benefits and help you feel your best.
If you want to know more about our treatments or the places we service, give us a call! We’ll be happy to answer anything you’d like to know about vitamin D drips.
Vitamin D Shots - Frequently Asked Questions
Can you take too much vitamin D?
Yes, it is possible to take too much vitamin D. Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin, which means that it can build up in the body and potentially lead to toxic levels if it is consumed in large amounts. Vitamin D toxicity can cause hypercalcemia, a buildup of calcium in your blood. This condition can cause symptoms such as weakness, nausea, vomiting, frequent urination, kidney problems, and more.
How often do you need vitamin D shots?
Frequency of treatment depends on individual circumstances such as the severity of vitamin D deficiency, medical history, and other factors. However, most people may receive 1 – 3 shots over the course of a year.
Are vitamin D shots better than oral supplements?
Yes. Because vitamin D shots are given intramuscularly, the ingredients bypass your digestive system so that the full dose is available to your body for maximum benefits. Vitamin D shots are rapidly available for your cells to use.
What happens if you don’t treat vitamin D deficiency?
Not treating vitamin D deficiency can cause rickets, a rare but treatable condition that causes fatigue, frequent illnesses, depression, and impacts bone and muscle health. In children, vitamin D deficiency can impact normal growth and development.
