10 “Undercover” Causes of Vitamin D Deficiency You Might Not Be Aware Of

VITAMIN D DEFICIENCY: AN OVERVIEW

It is estimated that some 42 percent of American Adults are deficient in vitamin D. This percentage is considerably higher for Hispanics and African-Americans at 69 and 82 percent, respectively.(1)

Vitamin D deficiency has traditionally been associated with rickets, a skeletal disorder characterized by fragile bones, delayed or stunted growth, and deformities. Accumulating scientific research provides some evidence that a shortage of the vitamin increases the risk of numerous health conditions, including cardiovascular disease and cancer.

Check out Vitamin D and Immune System: Fullest Guide To Protect and Improve Your Health

FUNCTIONS OF VITAMIN D

Check out The 6 Vitamins, Hardest To Get Enough Of 

It’s unique in that it is classified as – and functions like – a hormone. To be more exact, it’s is a prohormone – a substance converted to a hormone within the body. Chemical alterations to it take place within the kidneys, which release it as a hormone.

Vitamin D serves many important roles within the body, including that of controlling blood calcium levels. It assists with calcium absorption and utilization. The calcium mineralization of bones, for instance, helps create and maintain healthy and strong bones.

This vitamin also blocks the release of the parathyroid hormone. This action is critical to bone health, as the parathyroid hormone soaks up bone tissue and increases the risk of brittle and thin bones.

It may also protect against infections and illnesses by bolstering the immune system. Additionally, some research suggests that this vitamin may:

• Lower the risk of breast, colon, and prostate cancer
• Prevent and treat diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, and multiple sclerosis
• Decrease the risk of neuro-degenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease, neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSD), and Parkinson’s disease. (2)

HOW DO WE GET VITAMIN D?

Check out Vegan Vitamin D: The Full Lowdown On The Sunlight Vitamin 

Our body’s primary source of vitamin D is sunlight. After (even brief) exposure to the sun, the skin begins producing it. We’ll discuss a bit more about the importance of sunlight exposure and correcting any deficiency later.

We also get the vitamin from food and supplements, which is absorbed by the intestines and transferred to the liver. The liver converts the blood supply of vitamin D into a form that can be freely circulated throughout the body. The kidneys, meanwhile, convert the vitamin supplied to it into calcitriol – a biologically-active form of “D.”

Proper vitamin D synthesis is critical to calcium absorption and reabsorption, which occur in the small intestine and kidneys, respectively. As such, the body needs a healthy supply of biologically-available forms of vitamin D. They help the body rebuild bone tissue.

RISK FACTORS

The risk factors of having a deficiency are classified into modifiable and non-modifiable (fixed) risk factors. Some known modifiable factors that increase the risk of developing vitamin D deficiency:

• Body weight and composition
• Improper sunscreen use
• Calcium intake
• Sedentary lifestyle

Non-modifiable risk factors include:

• Non-white ethnicity (blacks and Latinos are at a much higher risk, as mentioned)
• Older age
• Being female
• Diagnosis of inflammatory bowel disease or cystic fibrosis (possibly chronic kidney disease)

Researchers state that living in high-latitude, low-altitude areas also increases the likelihood of vitamin D deficiency as these parts of the globe are further from the sun.

Chat Box

AI Dea - Vegan Nutrition Expert

Hello how are you? Ask me anything about veganism and plant-based nutrition. I can also come up with delicious recipes! Just say: Give me a recipe for vegan XYZ and I'll do it.

Send

HIDDEN REASONS OF VITAMIN D DEFICIENCY

Aside from non-modifiable factors, there is no legit reason for someone to have a “D” deficiency. It is probable that most people lacking in this vitamin are merely unaware of the problem. Most importantly, they may simply remain oblivious to the benefits of the vitamin. Contributing to the problem is the way vitamin D deficiency can “sneak up” on someone. On this note, here are ten hidden causes of vitamin D deficiency:

1. LACK OF SUNLIGHT

FIrst of all, the sun is our primary source of vitamin D. Not getting enough of it is the leading cause of vitamin D deficiency. We need sunlight for healthy skin and a good metabolism. Despite the misinformation, proper application of sunscreen does not impair the skin’s ability to manufacture vitamin D. On the contrary; a good sunscreen can go a long way in preventing skin cancer.

2. GETTING OLDER

As we get older, the body loses some of its natural ability to synthesize vitamin D (not to mention other nutrients). Some older adults, for various reasons, spend more time indoors. As a result, they may not get enough sunlight to re-supply the body’s reserves of vitamin D. For these reasons, the elderly often need supplements.

3. DARKER SKIN

As noted, Latinos and African-Americans are disproportionately affected by vitamin D deficiency. The reason for this is having a darker complexion. The chemical melanin, concentrated in upper layers of the skin, interferes with vitamin D synthesis when present in high amounts. Melanin is also responsible for the skin’s pigment, or color. Consequently, a deficiency is more widespread among the Latino and African-American demographics.

4. KIDNEY DISORDER

Consider this: only about one in ten people with a kidney condition are aware of it. Disorders of the kidney, including kidney disease, can create numerous health issues. One of these is a shortage of the vitamin. As the disease progresses, the liver produces proteins called fibroblast growth factor, inhibiting the body’s metabolism of vitamin D. For this reason, an individual who has problems with their kidneys should be more aware of the importance of getting enough of this vitamin.

5. CELIAC DISEASE

Celiac disease is characterized by an immune reaction to gluten, a type of protein in barley, rye, and wheat. Digestive complications brought about by celiac disease makes it difficult to absorb enough nutrients, including the “D” vitamin. As with other illnesses listed here, celiac disease may serve as a double whammy because sufferers are more likely to stay indoors. Furthermore, an estimated 70 percent of those with the disease remain deficient in vitamin D.

6. CYSTIC FIBROSIS

Cystic fibrosis, a progressive genetic disease, leads to lung infections and difficulty breathing. Besides damaging the lungs, cystic fibrosis may also cause gut problems. Whenever the gut is affected, complications may arise in the proper absorption of fat. This, in turn, disrupts absorption of fat-soluble nutrients such as vitamin D.

7. CROHN’S DISEASE

Crohn’s, an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), may also interfere with vitamin D function. Intestinal inflammation hinders the absorption of vitamin D. Ulcerative colitis, which damages the colon or large intestine, is another IBD condition that may lead to a deficit of this vitamin.

8. OBESITY

Fat doesn’t interfere with the body’s ability to manufacture or absorb vitamin D. Instead, excess fat in cells “sucks up” too much vitamin D. Therefore, this reduces the amount of vitamin D available for circulation to other areas of the body. Obesity is defined as having a body mass index (BMI) of over 30.

9. GASTRIC-BYPASS SURGERY

Unfortunately, one of the more popular treatments for obesity, gastric bypass surgery, can complicate the function of the vitamin. The procedure removes a large part of the intestine, which can impact the amount of “D” that the body absorbs.

10. WHIPPLE’S DISEASE

Whipple’s disease is an intestinal infection so named for the bacteria causing it – Tropheryma whipplei. This disease negatively affects the body’s ability to break down food components, such as carbohydrates, fats, and proteins. It also blocks the intestinal openings that take in nutrients. Therefore, it interferes with the absorption. Fortunately, the condition is quite rare.

DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT FOR VITAMIN D DEFICIENCY

People most often find they’re deficient in vitamin D via a blood test. The “normal” range is defined as 30 ng/mL. Anywhere from 20 to 30 ng/mL is considered “insufficient,” and less than 20 ng/mL is diagnosed as a deficiency. Treatment usually involves getting more of the vitamin through supplements or food. Learn more here.

There has never been a more critical time to focus on healthy living and eating. You can easily do this with The Complete Vegan Recipe Solution – a complete wellness package with 145 delicious plant-based recipes, scientifically designed to boost your health, strengthen your immune system and help you prevent nutrient deficiencies.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx