Initial, unspecific symptoms
Vitamin D deficiency can make itself known with a variety of symptoms. The most common thesis is that a lack of Vitamin D mainly affects bone health. Those, however, who are already plagued by skeletal pain and bone deformations, not only have an extremely severe Vitamin D deficiency, but have had this deficiency over a long period of time.
It is best not to let it come to that. That's why it is essential to watch out for the first signs of a deficiency. They can be quite unspecific, such as problems with sleeping, a decrease in physical and mental capacity, bad skin.
Typical symptoms of a Vitamin D deficiency
Recurrent infections, wounds don't heal properly, general fatigue, bone and back pain, feeling low and in a bad mood over a longer period of time and depression are typical signs for a lack of Vitamin D. Although these symptoms can have other causes, a Vitamin D deficiency is the most likely cause of these ailments in the northern hemisphere. Therefore, it is advisable to have one's Vitamin D levels checked.
1. Recurrent infections
One of the main tasks of Vitamin D is to support and to regulate the immune system. That's why one of the symptoms of a Vitamin D deficiency is being prone to infections, mainly in the respiratory tract. Therefore, in case you normally catch every bug that's around, consider your Vitamin D levels.
Studies have revealed that there is a connection between a lack of Vitamin D and recurrent respiratory infections, such as colds, bronchitis and pneumonia. Also, a Vitamin D deficiency not only increases the risk of catching the flu, but also the danger of dying of it.
A daily dose of 4000 IU (the tolerable upper intake level for adults) can significantly reduce the risk of respiratory infections.
Of course, it is important to have one's levels checked first, as an improvement of the symptoms is only possible if there was a deficiency in the first place.
2. Wounds don't heal properly
Badly healing wounds, e.g. after an injury or an operation, can be a sign of a weak immune system, which can be due to a lack of Vitamin D.
It activates a certain connective tissue growth factor as well as Fibronectin, a protein which is responsible for tissue repair. Also, Vitamin D improves the production of collagen, the migration of fibroblasts as well as the the genesis of myofibroblasts (special cells which play an important part in tissue repair).
Moreover, Vitamin D inhibits inflammation, which aids wound healing.
3. Tiredness
Chronic fatigue and tiredness can be caused by a lack of Vitamin D. A study revealed that women with a Vitamin D level below 29 nmol/l are more affected by tiredness than those with a Vitamin D level above 30 nmol/l. In many cases a Vitamin D level of around 40 nmol/l is adequate to make the symptoms disappear.
4. From back pains to fibromyalgia
A Vitamin D deficiency is proven to affect bone metabolism and muscle function. Weak muscles and unhealthy bones can of course cause back pain and other pain conditions such as fibromyalgia.
5. Bad mood and depression
Feeling down over a longer period of time can be a sign for Vitamin D deficiency. Especially in older patients, a connection between depression and a lack of Vitamin D can often be found. So, if you have elderly relatives who have been prescribed antidepressants, why not ask their GP to do a blood test and look at the Vitamin D levels?
In younger women suffering from polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), there is often a connection with depression and low Vitamin D levels.
Chronic diseases as symptoms of a Vitamin D deficiency
If a lack of Vitamin D persists over a number of years, more serious symptoms can evolve. It is known that certain illnesses can develop due to a lack of Vitamin D and that their progress is often more severe if the patient is low in Vitamin D.
That means that, on the other hand, supplementing Vitamin D can ease the progress. For example, a good Vitamin D supply for
Colitis ulcerosa can prevent further attacks; with
neurodermatitis, it can considerably improve the skin; with
diabetes, Vitamin D has an positive impact, too:
Vitamin D deficiency has an enormous influence on developing diabetes. It is well-known that obese sufferers can massively improve their diabetes, if not cure, if they lose weight. As a lack of Vitamin D can also cause the body to deposit fat more easily and has the effect that the patient has trouble losing weight, a good supply with Vitamin D could help to reduce the risk of developing diabetes by firstly helping to prevent it and then to help losing excess weight.
Polyneuropathy is one of the typical consequences of diabetes. It is a chronic condition affecting the nerves in arms and legs. Good Vitamin D levels can prevent polyneuropathy.
Asthma sufferers often lack Vitamin D. Studies in Japan showed that pupils suffered less asthma attacks after they were given Vitamin D supplements of 1200 IU/day.
Even in severe cases of asthma where Cortisone has stopped working, a good Vitamin D supplement can help.
Chronic gum diseases often come with inflamed and bleeding gum tissue and can not only be a sign of lack of Vitamin C but also for a Vitamin D deficiency. Taking Vitamin D helps with the production of antimicrobial agents which attack hostile bacteria on the surface of mucous membranes, such as the gums. Moreover, due to its anti-inflammatory properties, Vitamin D protects the jaw bones from damage to the periodontium (tissues that support and surround the teeth) caused by periodontitis.
Problems with the cardiovascular system can also be a symptom of a Vitamin D deficiency. Low levels (under 30 nmol/l) increase the risk of high blood pressure and heart disease. Moreover, the assumption is that cholesterol levels too are more connected to the level of Vitamin D than previously assumed.
Interesting is that the supply of Vitamin D in childhood seems to have an impact on health in later life. Children who do not get enough Vitamin D are more likely to develop
arteriosclerosis in later life than those who spent a lot of time outside, thus boosting their Vitamin D levels.
Circulation and vascular disorders affect the health of our brains. Therefore, it is not surprising that a long-term Vitamin D deficiency plays a part in developing
dementia, or at least making it worse.
The chances of developing
cancer is more likely in case of a Vitamin D deficiency. Research carried out at the Georgetown University Medical Center in Washington DC showed that women with good Vitamin D levels were less likely to develop breast cancer. Also, good Vitamin D levels in patients who already suffered with cancer slowed down cancer growth and lowered the mortality rate.
Vitamin D appears to have an important role in the prevention and treatment of breast, prostate and bladder cancer.
(https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/risk/diet/vitamin-d-fact-sheet)
In the womb, very often the decision is made for the child which illnesses it is most prone to develop in later life. For example, if the mother smokes, it increases the risk for the child to be infertile. Taking medication during pregnancy, such as paracetamol, can increase the risk of autism for the children. If the mother is low in Vitamin D, the child has a higher risk of developing multiple sclerosis later in life. Yet, Vitamin D helps with the prevention and therapy of
MS. A study carried out in 2006 showed that the risk of developing MS could be reduced by increasing Vitamin D levels in the blood. In 2015, a study carried out at the University of Toronto showed that taking 14000 IU per day prevented further attacks in patients already suffering with MS. A supplement of only 4000 IU, however, didn't show any effects.
Osteoporosis, of course, is the disease most commonly brought in connection with Vitamin D which plays a key role in bone metabolism and also facilitates the absorption of calcium in the gut.
Unfortunately, the dose of prescription Vitamin D is often far too low. In general, the supplements contain only 800 to 1000 IU of Vitamin D. The reason is the fear of hypercalcaemia, i.e. the calcium level in the blood is too high which, could cause problems for the kidneys and the heart.
This problems exists, however, because older people suffering with osteoporosis are told to eat loads of calcium which is considered to be the bee's knees for the bones, and therefore the recommendation is to eat loads of dairy products and to take calcium supplements. However, healthy bones need sufficient Vitamin D, together with magnesium, Vitamin K2 and adequate exercise.
Vitamin D also plays an important role for women after the
menopause, as a deficiency can lead to a loss in bone density.
A lack of vital substances in children can manifest itself in behavioural problems. If the problems are caused by such a lack (such as Vitamin D, Vitamin B12, minerals, trace elements and essential fatty acids), they will disappear after the deficiencies have been remedied. Therefore, hyperactive or children who have problems with concentration do not always suffer from a real
ADHD but just need to be given the right supplements. Kinesiology can help with that. If your child has been given the diagnosis ADHD, it is worth trying a good Vitamin D supplement to start with.
The same goes with the symptoms of
autism which often improve with Vitamin D supplementation.
For further questions please ask your health professional or contact groveclinicoxon@gmail.com
(source: Zentrum der Gesundheit)
