Role of Vitamin D Levels in Human Body
Vitamin D is a group of fat-soluble secosteroids that help absorb an increased amount of calcium, magnesium, and phosphate. It is a vital nutrient that helps to build bones and keeps them strong & healthy. It may also protect you against a range of diseases. You can also increase your blood level with vitamin D intake.
Vitamin D has numerous benefits and important functions in the human body. There are 2 forms of vitamin D – D2 & D3. Vitamin D2 known as ergocalciferol found only in plant-sourced foods and Vitamin D3 known as cholecalciferol found only in animal-sourced foods. Explore the top 5 signs and symptoms of vitamin D deficiency to know more.
Types of Deficiency
Are you at the risk of vitamin D deficiency? Vitamin D deficiency is a major health problem that is widely diagnosed among elderly people with the following diseases.
- Rickets
- Cardiovascular disease
- Auto-immune disease
- Osteoporosis
- Cancer
- Cognitive disorder.
Signs and Symptoms
People with a low level of vitamin D may suffer from the following symptoms and signs.
In children
- Fatigue & tiredness
- Bone pain
- Slow healing of wounds
- Deformities of teeth
- Impaired growth
In adult
- Bone & Back pain
- Depression
- Fracture
- Skeletal disease
- Psychological disorder
Who Should Be Screened for Vitamin D Deficiency?
- Obese children and adults with BMI ≥ 30.
- Pregnant and lactating women.
- People with skeletal diseases and disorders.
- Perimenopausal women.
- Patients taking certain medications such as glucocorticoids and AIDS therapy.
Doctors can diagnose vitamin D levels with a simple blood test. There are 2 types of tests.
But the most common one is 25-hydroxyvitamin D in short, 25(OH)D.
Vitamin D Levels
| Age | Male | Female |
| 0-12 months | 10 mcg (400 IU) /day | 10 mcg (400 IU) /day |
| 1-50 years | 15 mcg (600 IU) /day | 15 mcg (600 IU) /day |
| 51-70 years | 15 mcg (600 IU) /day | 15 mcg (600 IU) /day |
| 70 years & above | 20 mcg (800 IU) /day | 20 mcg (800 IU) /day |
| Pregnancy & Lactation | 15 mcg (600 IU) /day |
Healthy Foods Rich in Vitamin D
Vitamin D is also known as “Sunshine Vitamin” which helps to produce vitamins naturally in your body from exposure to sunlight. But excess exposure to the sun may cause skin cancer. Vitamins are nutrients that cannot be produced in the body. So the person must consume them in the way of food/diet.
- Milk
- Cereal
- Yogurt
- Orange juice
- Salmon
- Sardines
- Egg yolk
- Shrimp
A study determined that about 42% of Americans have this deficiency. Vitamin D levels will begin to drop when you are diagnosed with any other disease. This deficiency is common among peoples but they may not realize it unless its symptoms are visible.
