Vitamin D Deficiency: Symptoms, signs, and side effect – plus vitamin D benefits and the best vitamin D sources

Learn about vitamin D’s role as an anti-inflammatory, as an immune-system booster, for muscle and bone strength and protector against common diseases

Vitamin D is known as the “Sunshine Vitamin”. The sun is your best, most natural form of supplementing vitamin D. But how do you know if you are low on vitamin D? What are the symptoms indicating a vitamin D deficiency?

Overall fatigue, generalized weakness and depression are common signs of low vitamin D. But there are many other health symptoms that can indicate a vitamin D deficiency. And any of these symptoms can point to many other diseases or conditions. That’s why if you’re experiencing any of them, especially if you are feeling multiple symptoms over an extended period of time, it’s important to discuss a blood test with your doctor to measure your vitamin D level.

What does a Vitamin D Blood Test Measure?

A vitamin D blood test goes by many names including 25-hydroxy vitamin D test. The “optimal” range for vitamin D is 40.0 to 60.0 nanograms per milliliter (ng/mL).

The new guide from University Health News, Vitamin D Deficiency, details the numbers you need to monitor and strive for. Vitamin D Deficiency also explains why there’s no universal set “optimal” level of vitamin D and the reasons why.

Low Vitamin D Levels. Now What?

An insufficient level of vitamin D is linked to many health problems including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, osteoporosis and other weak bone conditions, asthma, and depression. Increasing your intake of vitamin D will not fix existing problems. Adequate vitamin D is needed to help lower your risk of developing these diseases.

What are some ways to reverse your vitamin D deficiency? The easiest way is to get outside. Sunshine is the best source of vitamin D. Exposing your skin to twenty to thirty minutes of midday sun each day is all most people need to absorb adequate levels of vitamin D.

If your lifestyle, geography or the time of year limits your ability to be outside in the sunshine, there are alternatives. Few foods contain natural vitamin D but you will find the vitamin in many types of fish, egg yolks, organ meats and high-fat dairy. Also, many foods are fortified with vitamin D. A consistent and simple way to get your daily does of vitamin D of course is through supplements. For details on the pros and cons of each of these alternate sources of vitamin D, be sure to consult your doctor as well as download and read Vitamin D Deficiency from University Health News.

Ongoing Vitamin D Research

Medical opinion continues to be divided on what constitutes an adequate level of vitamin D in our bodies, the best ways to control our vitamin D intake and the vitamin’s role in many diseases, conditions and body functions. Important studies continue to be published and research is ongoing.

In Vitamin D Deficiency, you’ll read about the latest studies exploring connections between low vitamin D and breast and colon cancer, fatigue, elevated blood pressure, muscle strength, osteoporosis as well as adequate vitamin D levels and brain function.

Vitamin D deficiency is a common condition. For most of us, it is easy to fix. Learn to recognize the symptoms of low vitamin D as well as the easy ways to reduce your risk for serious health issues by reading Vitamin D Deficiency from University Health News.