Symptoms of vitamin D deficiency in adults
Symptoms of Vitamin D deficiency in the elderly
Many symptoms appear in older people when they suffer from vitamin D deficiency, and the following are some of these symptoms:
Cognitive Decline in the Elderly: Vitamin D plays an important role in brain development and regulation of brain function, and supports the overall health of the nervous system. and anxiety disorders, as well as in the elderly with cognitive impairment.
Bone loss: Vitamin D contributes to calcium absorption and bone metabolism, and low bone mineral density indicates that the bones have lost some calcium and other minerals. Food is a source of calcium, but low levels of vitamin D can also be a cause of bone loss, and vitamin D deficiency over a long period of time increases the risk of osteoporosis in the elderly, and should be taken into account that loss of muscle strength also increases the risk of falls and Large bone fractures, especially in the elderly.
Depression: Depression can refer to low levels of vitamin D in the body, although some observational studies have shown a link between vitamin D deficiency and depression in older adults specifically, the results of more robust scientific studies have shown no There is a relationship between depression and depression. vitamin D However, the researchers who analyzed these findings noted significantly lower levels of vitamin D in many of the participants, and further found that some studies may be of short duration, so the effect of vitamin D supplementation vitamin D on the mood of the participants. It has not been noticed.
Other symptoms: Vitamin D deficiency can cause other general symptoms, including the following:
Infections or recurrent infections: Vitamin D helps to strengthen the immune system, and also helps regulate nerve function and inhibit inflammatory reactions, thus helping to reduce the risk of infections in the upper respiratory tract.
Slow wound healing: A decrease in the speed of the wound healing process can indicate low levels of vitamin D in the body, and the results of a study showed that vitamin D plays an important role in the wound healing process, due to its role in wound healing. Regulation of growth factors and other compounds that contribute to the production of new tissues.
Symptoms of Vitamin D deficiency for adults
Vitamin D deficiency affects not only the elderly, but also younger adults. Here are some of the most important symptoms that adults can experience when they have a vitamin D deficiency:
Osteomalacia: Although the bones of adults do not grow in size; However, it is constantly remodeled, and severe vitamin D deficiency results in a gradual loss of bone mineral as collagen remains in bone tissue, leading to osteomalacia, bone pain, and an increased risk of osteoporosis. And the
Hair loss: Hair loss is common when exposed to stress, but severe hair loss can be caused by disease or lack of nutrients, and it should be noted that a small amount of research has indicated that hair loss Hair loss in women is related to low levels of vitamin D, and it was found that low levels of vitamin D are also associated with alopecia areata, and a deficiency may be a risk factor for the development of this disease. This disease is associated with rickets, which also causes loose bones in children due to vitamin D deficiency.
Recurring diseases: Vitamin D plays an important role in maintaining the strength of the immune system as mentioned above, increasing its ability to fight pathogenic viruses and bacteria, and helping to support the cells responsible for directly fighting infection and therefore Therefore, recurrence of illnesses, especially colds or influenza, may be associated with low vitamin D
Other symptoms: such as fatigue or stress, pain in the bones, joints and muscles, anxiety, irritability and moodiness, as well as weight gain and low energy in the body.
An overview of vitamin D deficiency
Vitamin D differs from other vitamins in that it is a steroid hormone, it is also called the sunshine vitamin because the body makes it from cholesterol when the skin is exposed to sunlight and people's ability to make vitamin D in their bodies. Bodies depend on several factors, the most important being age and skin color, as people with light skin are better able to use sunlight to make vitamin D than people with dark skin over the age of 50, which makes them more prone. Develop vitamin D deficiency, or low levels of it in the body.
People most at risk of vitamin D deficiency
Some people are at higher risk of developing low vitamin D levels, and the following is an explanation for this:
- Breastfed babies: Breastfed babies need 400 IU of vitamin D per day, since breast milk is not a rich source of vitamin D.
- Elderly: This is because the body's ability to make vitamin D decreases with age, and the ability of the kidneys to convert vitamin D to its active state in the body decreases.
- Dark skin: The body's ability to produce vitamin D from the sun decreases, and the skin tone is darker.
- People taking drugs that affect vitamin D metabolism: such as; Cholesterol drugs called cholestyramine, anti-seizure drugs, glucocorticoid drugs, antifungal drugs, and AIDS drugs.
- Crohn's disease or celiac disease: These patients suffer from the inability of their body to adequately deal with fat, and it should be noted that the absorption of vitamin D from food depends on the body's ability to absorb fat.
- Obesity: Vitamin D binds to fats in the body of obese people, limiting its access to the blood.
- Osteoporosis.
- Chronic kidney or liver disease.
- Hyperparathyroidism, as these hormones control the level of calcium in the body.
- Sarcoidosis, tuberculosis, histoplasmosis or any other type of granulomatosis. some lymphomas.
Reducing Vitamin D deficiency
In case of mild vitamin D deficiency, the doctor may prescribe following some advice such as:
- Greater exposure to sunlight.
- Increase physical activity.
- Increase calcium intake from food sources.
- Increase the consumption of foods rich in vitamin D, such as: fish and mushrooms. Especially fungi exposed to sunlight, eggs, and foods fortified with vitamin D, such as milk and milk products, orange juice, tofu, and breakfast cereals.
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