Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that the body synthesizes through sun exposure and gets from foods such as fish, eggs, fortified milk and cod liver oil. Vitamin D supports calcium metabolism to form strong bones, phosphorus balance, cell differentiation, immunity, insulin secretion and blood pressure regulation. According to Medline Plus, vitamin D can protect the body from osteoporosis, high blood pressure, cancer and certain autoimmune diseases. Vitamin D insufficiency is rare in the United States because milk is fortified with vitamin D, but it still occurs in other parts of the world. The Office of Dietary Supplements (ODS) says breast-fed infants, the elderly, individuals with limited sun exposure, dark-skinned people, the obese and those who experience fat malabsorption or have an irritable bowel disorder are at a higher risk for vitamin D deficiency.
Rickets
Rickets occurs in infancy or childhood when bones do not form properly and is characterized by skeletal deformities. According to the ODS, rickets was first noticed in the mid-17th century by British researchers, and in the late 19th century German doctors noticed that consumption of cod liver oil reversed rickets. Treating rickets involves vitamin D supplementation and increasing consumption of vitamin D foods, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Osteomalacia
Osteomalacia is the adult version of rickets. According to the Linus Pauling Institute (LPI) at Oregon State University, osteomalacia results in bone mineral loss that leads to soft bones and bone pain. Symptoms of osteomalacia can go undetected early on in the disease. The Mayo Clinic points out that osteomalacia is different from osteoporosis. Osteomalacia occurs due to a defect in the bone-building process, while osteoporosis results from weakening of existing bone. Treatment of osteomalacia requires vitamin D supplementation through pills and, in rare cases, injections.
Muscle Pain and Weakness
Muscle pain and weakness can occur in children and adults insufficient in vitamin D. According to the LPI, a study of women in Denmark found that elderly women who added vitamin D and calcium had more muscle strength than when only calcium was supplied. Another study found that nursing home residents who took daily vitamin D supplements had fewer falls than those who didn't.
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