Vitamin D deficiency in winter

Lack of sun can lead to vitamin D deficiency in winter

24/10/2014

Many people suffer from vitamin D deficiency without even knowing it. Because the symptoms show up late and can also point to other diseases. Especially in winter, when the sun is rarely seen, the body does not make enough vitamin D. But even with malnutrition, celiac disease and renal dysfunction vitamin D deficiency may occur, the untreated for bone softening (osteomalacia) with skeletal deformation or bone loss (Osteoporosis).

In vitamin D deficiency, bone health is at risk
Vitamin D plays an important role in the calcium metabolism of the human body and is indirectly involved in the formation and degradation of bones. Therefore, severe vitamin D deficiency can lead to bone bruising (rickets) in children and osteomalacia or osteoporosis in adults.

Only about 20 percent of the daily vitamin D requirement can be met by a balanced diet. Salmon, herring, sardines, eggs, dairy products and beef liver are among the foods rich in vitamin D. The body covers 80 percent of the need for vitamin D with the help of the sun by producing the vitamin from the skin with sufficient UV light. How much sun is needed depends on the color of the skin. The darker the skin, the more UV light it needs to make Vitamin D..

Symptoms of vitamin D deficiency
Symptoms that may indicate vitamin D deficiency include fatigue and concentration problems, muscle weakness, sleep disorders, skin problems such as psoriasis, increased susceptibility to bacterial infections, skeletal pain, bone pain, bony flexion, bone softening, bone loss, and cardiac arrhythmias due to hypocalcemia ( calcium deficiency).
Obesity or obesity favor the development of a vitamin D deficiency, as vitamin D is liposoluble. The more body fat is present, the more the vitamins are diluted. Consequently, more vitamin D needs to be made.

People with conditions such as Crohn's disease, gluten intolerances (celiac disease) and inflammatory bowel disease have an increased risk of vitamin D deficiency, as these diseases affect fat intake. If less fat is consumed, only less fat-soluble vitamin D can be absorbed at the same time.

What to do about vitamin D deficiency?
To prevent a vitamin D deficiency, the skin should be exposed to the sun regularly, but without risking sunburn. A balanced, vitamin D-rich diet is also recommended. If there is already a vitamin D deficiency, the most promising treatment is a therapy with dietary supplements. (Ag)