Many people have vitamin D deficiency without knowing about such problem. Doctors and Health experts and Nutritionists have warned that drinking only vitamin D fortified food item like milk may not fully provide the individual with all their needed vitamin D for good health.

Statistics on Vitamin D deficiency in US Children and Adults

According to available data from the Centers for Disease Control, in the United States, 32 percent of adults and Children are vitamin D deficient. Also a survey by the National Health and Nutrition shows that 50 percent of kids between the ages of one and five years are deficient in vitamin D. The problem is also common among adults of all ages who often wear garments that block their skin from sun exposure. The principal method of obtaining vitamin D is through sunlight exposure.

Some Signs of Vitamin D Deficiency in the Body

There are some signs which may indicate vitamin D deficiency in the body.

  • Persons with Darker Skin-Dark skin impede sunlight penetration through the skin. This means that if one has darker skin such as African Americans, they would require over ten times of sun exposure for their bodies to produce the same level of vitamin D from the sun as someone with a lighter skin. Stronger skin pigmentation is a natural barrier against sun light exposure through the skin.
  • Mood Swings-Decreased sun exposure depresses the production of Serotonin in the brain which is associated with mood elevation. The less vitamin D in one’s body, the more likely for them to exhibit depressed  moods according to Dr. Holick’s article on Mercola.com
  • Older individuals above 50 years may be susceptible to lower vitamin D levels because according to health experts, the older one’s skins gets, the lower levels of vitamin D is made from sun exposure. Age factor also inhibits the kidneys from converting vitamin D for absorption into the body.
  • Overweight and obesity leads to more body mass. People with more body mass would naturally require more vitamin D than people who are leaner.
  • Doctors have linked body aches and pains often accompanied with fatigue as indicators of lower levels of vitamin D in the body.
  • Head sweating is also a symptom of low vitamin D levels according to Doctors
  • Gut Trouble signal gastrointestinal issues often leading to the body’s inability to absorb fat such as fat soluble vitamin D.

Health Benefits of Vitamin D

Vitamin D helps to prevent the body from getting diseases such as cancer, breast cancer, cardio vascular diseases, autoimmune diseases, heart attacks and infections such as influenza and more. Vitamin D also helps the body repair DNA and increases the body metabolism process.

Foods rich with Vitamin D

Among the natural food rich in vitamin D includes fish oils, egg yolk, fatty fish, cheese, beef liver, mushrooms, and more.

How to get more Vitamin D from Sunlight Exposure

At times it is harder for individuals to get enough vitamin D from sun exposure, which is considered the best source of Vitamin D. The recommended range of vitamin D in the body for optimal health is between 50 and 70 ng/ml. An alternative method of getting sunlight exposure is through getting a safe tanning bed. If such option is not available, then one can also raise their vitamin D levels through taking vitamin D Supplements.