| For most people a regular diet will give them most of | | | | following conditions: |
| the vitamin D they need. Exceptions to this would | | | | Diabetes, glucose intolerance, high blood pressure and |
| include people who are lactose intolerant or who are | | | | multiple sclerosis. |
| following a vegetarian diet. | | | | Causes: |
| However, you can receive a daily dose of this | | | | We can get Vitamin D from animal sources and |
| nutrient from sunshine. | | | | sunshine with deficiencies often being the result of: |
| Another name for this vital nutrient is the sunshine | | | | - Strict vegetarian diet. |
| vitamin. Ten minutes of sunlight per day can give you | | | | - Skin with dark pigmentation preventing production in |
| the daily dose of vitamin D your body needs. | | | | the skin. |
| Additionally, you can get this vitamin from foods such | | | | - Kidneys unable to convert this vitamin into it's |
| as fish, fish oils, and egg yolks. Dairy products, such | | | | active form. |
| as milk, are fortified with vitamin D. | | | | - Low intestinal absorption. |
| If taken with calcium, it can help strengthen bones. If | | | | - Obesity. |
| levels are low then rickets can develop. This is a form | | | | The 25-hydroxy vitamin D test can be used to |
| of bone disease that occurs because of poor | | | | diagnose deficiencies, with treatment usually being |
| mineralization. | | | | based around dietary changes and sunlight exposure. |
| What are the symptoms? | | | | While there are no general rules on the |
| Muscle weakness and bone pain are often symptoms | | | | recommended daily requirements, it most likely is |
| of this deficiency while some people will have no | | | | dependent on age and health condition. You can get |
| symptoms whatsoever. Only blood testing will give | | | | the amount you need by eating a well balanced |
| you a definitive answer. | | | | nutritional diet and getting outside to enjoy ten |
| Health risks: | | | | minutes of sunshine. |
| Risk of developing cardiovascular disease is greater in | | | | Even though the sun can cause damage to your skin, |
| those with vitamin D deficiency. Other risks are: | | | | depression can occur where sunlight is avoided |
| - Memory and attention deficits | | | | altogether, therefore a balance must be found. |
| - Exacerbates asthma symptoms in children | | | | If you feel you are at risk of vitamin D deficiency, it |
| - Greater risk of cancer developing. | | | | is a good idea to visit your doctor and get the |
| Current research reveals this essential nutrient may | | | | necessary testing done to assess your situation. |
| be instrumental in treating and preventing the | | | | |