VITAMIN D DEFICIENCY

The Disease

It might surprise you to know that an estimated over 1 billion people suffer from Vitamin D Deficiency disease. Popularly known as the sunshine vitamin, this vitamin helps in using calcium in the body properly. While many claim to suffer from this deficiency all of a sudden, it is not the case. If you stay over protected from sunlight for long periods of time, your body is susceptible to this deficiency disease.

Due to lack of enough Vitamin D, calcium is not utilized in the body properly. This leads to weak and deformed bones. The most common Vitamin D deficiency diseases is Rickets, seen mostly in children who suffer from permanently bent or damaged bones.

The Cause

While staying away from the sun is the major cause of Vitamin D deficiency, there are other ways which can lead to it as well.

● Milk allergies
● A highly strict vegan diet
● Dark Skin
● Weak Kidneys which cannot convert Vitamin D to its active form properly
● Weak digestive system due to disease like cystic fibrosis, Crohn’s disease and celiac disease
● Obesity

Symptoms

Any of these symptoms can mean you’re suffering from Vitamin D deficiency:

● Pain in bones and muscle weakness
● Cardiovascular diseases like coronary artery diseases, hypertension, myocardial infarction, heart failure, stroke, hyperlipidemia etc.
● Tendency to suffer from respiratory infections
● Depression – Lack of vitamin D is related to 8% to 14% increase in depression

Testing

There is one sure-shot blood test to determine if you’re suffering from Vitamin D Deficiency. At SDC, we ensure you get the most accurate test results to help you get the right treatment. The test is known as 25-hydroxyvitamin D blood test. Know more about the test by asking us!

Remedies

Depending on the severity of deficiency per patient, the treatment for Vitamin D deficiency includes getting more Vitamin D through diet and supplements.

Vitamin D3 supplements have proven to be the best ones yet, along with a properly designed diet.