Effects of low vitamin D level On Body

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Vitamin D is essential for the proper functioning of body. It is an oil soluble vitamin which regulates the calcium and phosphorus levels in the blood and helps to absorb these minerals from food in the intestines. It also manages the re-absorption of calcium in the kidneys. The sun is the main source of vitamin D in our body. Nowadays, foods like milk, orange juice, cereals are fortified with vitamin D to make up for the deficiency. Low vitamin D level in the body can be multiple and the symptoms of vitamin D deficiency are sometimes difficult to construe.

Vitamin D suppresses the release of parathyroid hormone, a hormone that causes bone resorption. Also, it helps to prevent the risk of many diseases like cancer, diabetes and multiple sclerosis. Vitamin D keeps the calcium and phosphate levels in the blood normal and thereby promoting bone health. People who have low vitamin D level in their body and so lack enough calcium; their bodies start to extract calcium from their bones. Vitamin D is required for strong and healthy bones and teeth and certain functions of the body. Vitamin D may also have other benefits, for example improving muscle and immune function, but these areas require more research.

Recent studies in Finland have suggested that greater levels of vitamin D have been linked to a lower risk of Parkinson's disease. Low sunlight leads to a chronic lack of the nutrient, vitamin D. For the first time, scientists from the National Institute for Health and Welfare, Helsinki, Finland, theorized that Parkinson's "may be caused by a continuously inadequate vitamin D status leading to a chronic loss of dopaminergic neurons in the brain." To the risk of Parkinson's disease, how vitamin D levels affect could not be explained by researchers but they said that the nutrient "has been shown to exert a protective effect on the brain through antioxidant activities, regulation of calcium levels, detoxification, modulation of the immune system, and enhanced conduction of electricity through neurons."

Sources of vitamin D:

Under the influence of sunlight, vitamin D is made in the skin. The amount of sunlight required to produce adequate amounts of vitamin D varies, depending upon the person's age, skin color, sun exposure, and any underlying medical problems. On aging, the production of vitamin D from the skin decreases. Additionally, people who have darker skin require more sun exposure to synthesize adequate amounts of vitamin D, especially during the winter months.

Foods are another important source of vitamin D, where it may occur naturally (in fatty fish, cod-liver oil, and [to a lesser extent] eggs). Commercially fortified cow's milk is the largest source of dietary vitamin D, containing approximately 100 international units of vitamin D per 8 ounces. To estimate Vitamin D intake, you can multiply the number of cups of milk consumed per day by 100 (2 cups milk=200 international units vitamin D). Cereals and bread products are often fortified with vitamin D. Cod liver oil also contains vitamin D but they also contain high doses of vitamin A and excessive vitamin A intake can be related with side effects, including liver damage and fractures.

Causes of low level of Vitamin D in the body:

The main reasons for low levels of vitamin D include:

Lack of vitamin D in the diet, frequently in conjunction with inadequate sun exposure
Inability to process vitamin D due to kidney or liver disease
Inability to absorb vitamin D from the intestines

Inadequate intake:

Infants, children, and elderly adults are at risk for low vitamin D levels due to inadequate vitamin D intake. Human breast milk has low levels of vitamin D and most infant formulas do not contain adequate vitamin D. So, infants are at risk for low vitamin D levels. Elder people are at risk for low vitamin D levels because of inadequate consumption of vitamin D rich foods and even when they consume, absorption may be limited.

Inadequate sun exposure:

Infants and children are often advised by their parents to avoid sun exposure, which decreases vitamin D synthesis from the skin. As a source of vitamin D, exposure to the sun is not suggested for infants and children due to the potential long-term risks of skin cancer.

People who have limited sun exposure are also at increased risk of vitamin D deficiency, especially in case of dark skinned people. Additionally, decreased amounts of vitamin D are made in the skin and stored in the body on aging. During summer, repeated use of sunscreen blocks vitamin D synthesis.

Diseases or surgery that affects fat absorption:

Ability of the body to absorb adequate amounts of vitamin D through the intestinal tract is affected by certain diseases including celiac disease, Crohn's disease, and cystic fibrosis.

Surgery that eliminates or bypasses portions of the stomach or intestines can also lead to low vitamin D levels. Gastric bypass is an example of this type of surgery.

Kidney and liver disease:

The liver and kidney contain important enzymes that convert vitamin D from the sun or food to the biologically active form of vitamin D. People with chronic kidney and liver disease lack these enzymes and so they are at increased risk of low vitamin D.

Familial diseases that impair the enzymes in liver or kidney, which produce the biologically active form of vitamin, are less common causes of vitamin D deficiency. As a result, an inadequate amount of active vitamin D is produced in the body.

Potential Complications of Low Vitamin D Level in the Body:

Vitamin D has an important role in many places throughout the body, including the development and calcification of the bones. Low levels of vitamin D in the body adversely affect bones (Skeletal system) of the body. Low blood calcium (hypocalcemia), low blood phosphate (hypophosphatemia), rickets (softening of the bones during childhood), and osteomalacia (softening of the bones in adults) are the most serious complications of vitamin D deficiency in the body. These complications have become less common over time because many foods and drinks have added vitamin D.

Rickets:

Rickets is a childhood disease characterized by slow bodily growth and deformation of long bones like the bones of legs. These bone condition caused by calcium and vitamin D deficiency in early childhood. It can have very severe effects on the development of the bones. Fortified milk is often prescribed by doctors to those suffering from rickets.

Osteomalacia:

In adults, low vitamin D levels can cause a bone-thinning disorder, referred to as osteomalacia. It is characterized by bone fragility and proximal muscle weakness that can even aches. Insufficient food intake or faulty metabolism of vitamin D or calcium (calcium deficiency symptoms) is the major cause for Osteomalacia.

Osteoporosis:

Low levels of vitamin D can cause another disease, osteoporosis. Adult women are mostly affected by this disease. This condition characterized by reduced bone mineral density and increased bone fragility. Risk of fracture is increased in case of osteoporosis. Osteoporotic fractures take place under slight amount of stress and typical fractures occur in the vertebral column, hip and wrist.

Diagnosis of Low Level of Vitamin D in the Body:

A blood test called 25 hydroxyvitamin D or 25OHD (OH=hydroxy, D=vitamin D) can diagnose a low vitamin D level in the body. Though there is no formal definition of vitamin D deficiency, some groups use the following values in adults:

A normal level of vitamin D: A 25OHD concentration greater than 30 ng/mL (75 nmol/L)
Vitamin D insufficiency: A 25OHD concentration of 20 to 30 ng/mL (50 to 75 nmol/L)
Vitamin D deficiency: A 25OHD level less than 20 ng/mL (50 nmol/L)

Who needs testing for vitamin D level?

Diagnosis of low level of vitamin D is not suggested for everyone. This test may be recommended for people who are home-bound or in a long term care facility (e.g., nursing home), if the person has a medical condition that raises the risk of vitamin D deficiency or insufficiency, and for anyone with osteoporosis or a past history of a low-trauma fracture (e.g., fracture after fall from standing), low blood calcium (hypocalcemia) or phosphate (hypophosphatemia).

Treatment of Vitamin D Deficiency

Supplements of Vitamin D:

For the treatment of vitamin D deficiency or insufficiency, many types of vitamin D preparations are available. Ergocalciferol (vitamin D2) and cholecalciferol (vitamin D3) are the two commonly available forms of vitamin D supplements. Vitamin D3 is the naturally occurring form of the vitamin and it may raise vitamin D levels more effectively. So, it is mostly recommended rather than vitamin D2.

Dosing:

Depending on the nature and severity of the vitamin D deficiency, dose of vitamin D is recommended.

Dosing for people who do not have problems in absorption of vitamin D:

People who have 25OHD <20 ng/mL [50 nmol/L]):
- Treatment usually includes 50,000 international units of vitamin D2 or D3 by mouth once or more per week for six to eight weeks, and then 800 to 1000 (or more) international units of vitamin D3 daily thereafter.
People who have 25OHD is 20 to 30 ng/mL [50 to 75 nmol/L]):
- Treatment usually includes 800 to 1000 international units of vitamin D3 by mouth daily, usually for a three month period. But, many individuals will require higher doses. By testing the individual's 25OHD level, the "ideal" dose of vitamin D is determined. If the level is not within normal limits, vitamin D dose is increased.
Infants and children who have 25OHD <20 ng/mL [50 nmol/L]):
- Treatment usually includes 1000 to 5000 international units of vitamin D2 by mouth per day (depending on the age of the child) for two to three months.

People who have diseases or conditions that prevent them from absorbing vitamin D normally (e.g., kidney or liver disease), the recommended dose of vitamin D will be determined on an individual basis.

People who have vitamin D level is normal (>30 ng/mL [≥75 nmol/L]), a dose of 800 international units of vitamin D per day is usually recommended.

The occurrence of vitamin D deficiency is significantly reduced by adequate exposure to sunlight and the use of dairy products with vitamin D.

Vitamin D - Essential and vitally important in our body video from Youtube: