Vitamin D deficiency: Subtle symptoms adults often miss

According to a 2022 study by Frontiers in Nutrition, about 2.6% people had Vitamin D deficiency and 22.0% people had Vitamin D insufficiency. According to the National Institutes of Health, adults between the ages of 19 and 70 should take 15 mcg (600 IU) of the vitamin daily on average. The vitamin helps the body absorb calcium, prevents osteoporosis, aids in the movement of muscles and in the transmission of messages through the nerves, and fights off bacteria and viruses. While a test can always let you know if you are having a Vitamin D deficiency, the body is quick in providing signs for things it needs. Below, find some subtle symptoms of Vitamin D deficiency that most adults end up missing.

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According to various studies, pain in the back and bones is a common sign of Vitamin D deficiency. While most attribute this to fatigue and ageing, the cause is right before their eyes. As per a study published in The Permanente Journal, people diagnosed with Vitamin D deficiency had been facing chronic pain in the neck and back for a period of 6 months to 1 year.

A common sign of Vitamin D deficiency is feeling tired and fatigued all the time. The vitamin regulates the flow of neurotransmitters such as dopamine and serotonin in the body and a loss of it leads to an imbalance between the neurotransmitters, thus causing fatigue, as per a study published in Nutrients.

One of the most unknown and subtle signs of Vitamin D deficiency is excessive sweating. This is because a disruption in the amount of the vitamin in the body, causes an imbalance in the sweat gland, leading to profuse sweating.

If you attribute hair loss to a bad diet and a choice of bad products then another factor you might wanna add to the list is a Vitamin D deficiency. According to the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, Vitamin D is involved in signalling pathways of growth and differentiation of hair follicles. A loss of the vitamin is known to cause scarring alopecia and hair loss.

Vitamin D is essential for calcium absorption in the body which maintains the health of the muscles. However, in case of a deficiency, the muscles might begin to cramp, spasm or show weakness, demanding more calcium and Vitamin D. A study published in the European Journal of Cardiovascular Medicine, Vitamin D deficiency consistently reported reduced muscle strength in patients with non-musculoskeletal complaints, emphasising the need for the vitamin for the same.