Vitamin D deficiency: How your tongue can tell if you are Vitamin D deficient

Vitamin D is one of many nutrients our bodies need to stay healthy. It is a fat-soluble nutrient produced by the body when it is exposed to sunlight. The rays of the Sun is the primary source of getting a sufficient amount of this nutrient as it is present in food only in limited quantity.

The D vitamin has many vital roles to play in keeping our bones, teeth and muscles healthy. The deficiency of this nutrient can be bad for your physical as well as your mental health. Yet, a large number of people across the globe are deficient in this vitamin. Normally, Vitamin D deficiency is diagnosed through a blood test, now researchers have found out another easy way to track the numbers, that is by self-examining your tongue.

As per a study carried out by the Department of Dermatology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester (USA) in 2017, people who have the symptoms of burning mouth syndrome (BMS) should get screened for fasting blood glucose, vitamin D (D2 and D3), vitamin B6, zinc, vitamin B1, and TSH.

This burning pain or hot sensation is typically felt on the lips or tongue, or more widespread in the mouth. Along with that, a person may experience numbness, dryness and unpleasant taste in the mouth. The pain could get worse when eating something. The researcher suggests that the condition pertain if the root cause of the problem is not tackled efficiently. The severity of the condition may vary from person to person.

The need to keep a track of this nutrient increased during the pandemic when it was established that a low level of Vitamin D could increase the risk of developing inflammatory cytokines, pneumonia and viral upper respiratory tract infections. So, you must not take this symptom lightly. Though burning mouth syndrome is associated with a deficiency of other nutrients as well, you may need to visit your doctor to confirm the exact reason. Other common symptoms of Vitamin D deficiency include fatigue, bone pain, muscle cramps and mood changes.

The daily recommended dietary intake (RDI) level of vitamin D is 600 IU for people under 70 years, and 800 IU for people over 70 years.

Your body can make a sufficient amount of Vitamin D by spending some time in the Sunlight daily. The amount of time differs from season to season due to the intensity of the sunlight. Spending 10 to 20 minutes in the sun is sufficient in the spring and summers, but in winters a person needs to spend at least 2 hours to get the recommended amount of Vitamin D.

Sunlight is indeed the best source of Vitamin D, but if you want to increase your intake of this nutrient you can also have foods like:

Spinach

Kale

Okra

Soybeans

White beans

Fish like Sardines and Salmon