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Vitamin D: Deficiency V/S Excess

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4 years ago

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Vitamin D is an important vitamin that has three forms, Vitamin D1, D2, and D3, all of which have important functions in the body.

Sunshine Vitamin: 

Yes, Vitamin D is obtained from sunlight, that is why it is called the sunshine vitamin. Regular sun exposure is the most natural way to get enough vitamin D. When your skin is exposed to sunlight, it manufactures vitamin D. Skin contain a protein called 7-DHC which is converted into Vitamin D when exposed to the ultraviolet B radiations from the sun light.

Duration of sun exposure for Vitamin D: 

The duration of sunlight exposure to obtain enough vitamin d depend largely on your skin tone. The time range from 10 to 30 minutes generally.

  • Fair-skinned people: If you have a fair complexion, 10 minutes per day of sun exposure without sunscreen, wearing shorts and a tank top will provide you enough radiation to a secret about 10 thousand IU of vitamin D.
  • Dark-skinned people: If you are having a darker complexion sun exposure maybe a little more than is required for the fair-skinned ones. 30 minutes of daily sunlight exposure in the mid-day will give a dark-skinned person enough radiation to complement the vitamin D requirements. 

Other sources of Vitamin D: 

Besides sun exposure there are other ways you can get the required amount of Vitamin D for your body, in case you live in a region having fewer sunny days.

  1. Ultraviolet Radiation Therapy is used to enhance the production of Vitamin D in the body and the mechanism for this is the same as sunlight exposure. 
  2. Vitamin D-rich diet such as fish oil, salmon, beef liver, fortifies milk, egg yolk, cheese, and yogurt e.t.c.
  3. Vitamin D supplements that available in the markets, or you can take multivitamins that also contain Vitamin D along with other vital ingredients.

What will happen if your body has a very less amount of Vitamin D?

A lower level of blood vitamin D can result in some serious health conditions for men, women, and children as well. 

  • In children the most common disease due to Vitamin D deficiency is Rickets, which is characterized by underdeveloped, weak, and soft bones. Due to Vitamin D deficiency, the bones don’t get enough calcium, and the child remains with weak bones.
  • Osteomalacia is a similar condition of lower bone mass density but occurs in adults, and it increases the risk of fractures in later ages.
  • In males vitamin D deficiency is associated with a low level of testosterone, depression, and erectile dysfunction. Studies found that males having a low level of Vitamin D have problems maintaining and obtaining an erection. A better treatment for erectile dysfunction is the use of drugs including Erection Tablets Australia that is easily available in Australia, and you can buy online from our website. 
  • In females specifically in pregnant women, low vitamin D levels are linked to pre-eclampsia, gestational diabetes, and adverse pregnancy outcomes. 
  • In people having older age and cardiovascular complications, there is a lower level of vitamin D as compared to the healthy older adults.
  • Moreover, the risk of type 1 diabetes also rises as the vitamin D level lowers in the body because vitamin D also helps regular blood glucose. 

What will happen if you have a very high amount of Vitamin D?

A higher than normal level of vitamin D in the body may also cause problems as it can damage various systems. You may experience the following symptoms if you are taking an excessive amount of vitamin D,

  • Weakness
  • Fatigue
  • Sleepiness
  • Headache
  • Loss of appetite
  • Dry mouth
  • Metallic taste
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting

Besides these symptoms, and excessive vitamin D levels in the blood can cause Vitamin D toxicity, bone pain, kidney problems, and a high level of calcium in the blood referred to as hypercalcemia.

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