Vitamin D is produced by the skin when it is exposed to sunlight. With more and more people working indoors, vitamin D deficiencies are increasing. With the increasing numbers of vitamin D deficiencies, researchers are finding an increase in the number of certain illnesses associated with it.
When you have a vitamin D deficiency, you can experience a number of symptoms including chronic pain, weight gain, gastrointestinal disturbances, high blood pressure, bladder problems and sleep issue. Additionally, its deficiency has been found in most major diseases.
RicketsVitamin D helps the body properly absorb calcium and phosphate. If a deficiency of vitamin D, calcium or phosphate occurs, developing bones in children aged 6 months to 2 years, can become weak and soft. This can cause skeletal deformations (bowlegs, scoliosis and pelvic deformations). Rickets can lead to decreased muscle tone, impaired growth and an increase of fractures.
Kidney DiseaseIn order for the kidneys to be healthy, they must have ample amounts of vitamin D. Vitamin D helps to balance phosphorus and calcium levels in the body. When these levels become imbalanced, the parathyroid gland can become confused and tell the body to pull calcium from the bones. As more calcium enters the bloodstream. This can affect kidney function and lead to chronic kidney disease.
PsoriasisStudies have found that there is a link between low vitamin D levels in the body and psoriasis. Researchers believe that
vitamin D can help slow the rate of skin cell reduction which can help lessen the number of scaly plaques and lower inflammation of the skin cells. In one study 85 patients suffering from psoriasis were given a vitamin D supplement and within 6 months, 88% of participants showed improvement. The National Institutes of Health reports that oral vitamin D can help ease the symptoms of psoriasis and offer a number of other benefits associated with psoriasis, including cardiovascular disease.
AsthmaLow vitamin D levels have been associated with an increased risk of asthma attacks. When asthma sufferers increase their vitamin D levels using supplements, the number of emergency room visits and hospitalizations were decreased. Researchers believe this decrease in symptoms and severity may be due to vitamin D’s ability to reduce the inflammatory response.
Hypertension and HypercholesterolemiaHypertension, or high blood pressure, affects approximately 65% of Americans aged 65 or older. Scientific evidence has shown that a vitamin D supplement can help significantly decrease both systolic and diastolic blood pressure readings. Vitamin D also helps to lower cholesterol levels, improve the health of blood vessels and reduce the risk of developing cardiovascular disease.
Inflammatory Bowel DiseaseInflammatory bowel disease is a gastrointestinal disorder that causes chronic inflammation of the digestive tract. The two most common forms of IBD are ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease. Both of these conditions can cause diarrhoea, abdominal pain, bloody stools, bloating, fatigue and inflammation in the body. Many times, patients suffering from IBD have low levels of vitamin D. Vitamin D helps immune cells communicate with one another. When the immune system functions properly, inflammation in the body can be reduced, including the digestive track. Studies have shown that a supplement of
vitamin D can help can help ease the symptoms associated with inflammatory bowel disease by decreasing inflammation and improving intestinal permeability.
Rheumatoid ArthritisRheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disorder that causes the immune system to attack the joints. This creates inflammation in the joints causing them to swell and become painful. Over time, the inflammation can damage the cartilage and bones in the joints. Rheumatoid arthritis typically affects the hands, wrists, elbows, feet, ankles and knees, which can lead to mobility issues. Vitamin D can help regulate the immune function and decrease inflammation in the joints, resulting in reduced pain and improved mobility.
When the body does not receive enough vitamin D, it can cause a variety of issues in the body, including increased inflammation and decreased immunity. If you work in an environment where you do not receive enough sunlight for the body to produce the necessary vitamin D it needs, you may need to take a vitamin D supplement. A high-quality
Vitamin D supplement can help improve nutrient absorption, decrease the risk of developing a number of diseases linked to a vitamin D deficiency and help ease the symptoms associated with a vitamin D deficiency, including inflammation and decreased immunity.