Vitamin D deficiency: Unusual symptoms that warn of low levels of this vitamin in the body

Fat soluble vitamin, Vitamin D, is extremely important for the human body. Of all the benefits, vitamin D gives the most important one is its role in retaining calcium for the body and helping in strengthening bone health.

Interestingly, the body prepares vitamin D when the skin is exposed to sunlight. An individual can also enhance their vitamin D dose by taking supplements.

Deficiency of vitamin D in the body affects the bones, causes bone issues, hampers the immunity of the body, leads to several cardiovascular diseases, causes autoimmune problems, marks the onset of neurological diseases, and causes infections.

It also leads to complications in pregnant ladies and is also a reason for certain types of cancers like those of breast, prostate and colon.

Frequent illness is very common; however, its association with lack of vitamin D is not known to many. Since vitamin D supports immunity, lack of it affects the body's strength to fight against pathogens. As a result of which the individual falls sick very often.

Constant fatigue is another sign why you need to check your vitamin D levels. If you are tired all the time without any other explanation, vitamin D can be the reason behind it. This can affect your energy level and can also affect your mood towards taking up new work.

Depression is yet another potential indicator of lack of vitamin D. Constant fatigue and tiredness can take a toll on your mental health. Depression can affect these people easily.

Massive hair fall and poor hair growth. Less vitamin D affects the hair and not many of us know this. So next time, if you don't see any changes to your hair fall despite trying several medications and shampoos, do get tested for vitamin D.

Skin rashes and acne are also very common in people who do not have sufficient vitamin D. In these people, the skin also ages pretty fast.

Lack of vitamin D leads to bone fragility, osteoporosis, bone pain, muscle twitching, muscle weakness, extreme muscle pain, and stiffness in the joint.

People who have limited exposure to sunlight are likely to be more deficient in vitamin D. Diets low in vitamin D are more common in people who have milk allergy or lactose intolerance and those who consume an ovo-vegetarian or vegan diet, says a report.

Breastfed infants, older adults, people with dark skin, people with conditions that limit fat absorption, and people with obesity or who have undergone gastric bypass surgery are more likely to be deficient in vitamin D.

As per a Harvard report, "People who are obese tend to have lower blood vitamin D levels. Vitamin D accumulates in excess fat tissues but is not easily available for use by the body when needed. Higher doses of vitamin D supplementation may be needed to achieve a desirable blood level. Conversely, blood levels of vitamin D rise when obese people lose weight."

The ideal amount of vitamin D is 10-20 micrograms. However, for some individuals it can go up.

But it is advisable not to consume more than 100 micrograms of vitamin D.

Ideally, it is always good to consult doctors before you take any supplements.

While on one hand you should not let your body starve of vitamin D, on the other hand you should not overdo it.

Vitamin D toxicity is when the body is having excess vitamin D. It mostly occurs from overconsumption of supplements.

The signs of vitamin D toxicity are anorexia, weight loss, irregular heart beat, and hardening of blood vessels due to increased levels of calcium in the body.