Vitamin D, the sunshine vitamin as it’s commonly known, is vital to many bodily functions that we may not be aware of. A vitamin D deficiency can make itself apparent in a variety of different ways throughout the body, including physiological and psychological repercussions. Though the most accurate determination of a deficiency is through diagnostic testing, there are also easily spotted symptoms.
1. Bone and muscle weakness
One of the many functions of vitamin D is muscle function and bone strength. Vitamin D regulates calcium throughout the body. Because calcium is integral to bone and muscle structure and function, appropriate vitamin D production and intake is necessary. Without enough vitamin D, our bones and muscles become weak, which result in a very noticeable increase in difficulty in daily motility.
2. Increased susceptibility to infections
Vitamin D is also a fundamental part of the immune system. It acts a messenger between cells. Without exposure to sunlight and vitamin D rich foods or supplements, there are various issues that tend to crop up, one of them being an increased chance and rate of infections. Lack of communication between cells leads to lack of response from the immune system toward bacteria or viruses. So if you’ve been sick more times in the past few months than usual, there is a definite possibility of a vitamin D deficiency.
3. Fatigue
Skeletal and Immune weakness can both result in general fatigue that stems from a deficiency. Vitamin D is directly related to the overall well being for most body systems. Without enough vitamin D, there is an increased chance of fatigue due to the gross effort the body must invest in normal function and process. This fatigue can lead to feelings of depression. This lack of motivation and general fatigue is definitely a symptom for a vitamin D deficiency.
Though these symptoms seems easy to recognize, remember that there is no greater accuracy than a diagnostic blood test. These tests are painless and the benefits are virtually endless. Progressive Medical Center aims to find the roots of illnesses to begin the preventative process through these simple diagnostic tests.
