Deficiencies in one or more crucial vitamins can lead to dysfunctions in your body's cellular processes. Vitamin D is a fat soluble vitamin that helps form bones, maintain the immune system, and balance blood chemistry. It can be taken in through diet or made by exposure to sunlight. However, recent studies suggest that even those who live in climates with more than average sun exposure can have fluctuating levels of vitamin D, leading to potential health problems.
Immune Function
One potential sign of vitamin D deficiency is increased frequency of colds and the flu. Vitamin D is important in maintaining your immune function. A study published in "Molecular Nutrition and Food Research" in September 2010 states that vitamin D contributes to the production of antimicrobial peptides and immune modulation. The vitamin plays an important role in maintaining epithelial cells of the oral cavity, the lungs, the gastrointestinal system, the genito-urinary system, the skin and the surface of the eye. If wounds heal slowly or if cold symptoms persist for weeks, consider asking your doctor about your vitamin D level.
Bone Disorders
For women, bone health is extremely important; women have a higher risk of developing osteoporosis than their male counterparts. MayoClinic.com states that during menopause rapid drops in estrogen can lead to decreases in bone density. Vitamin D deficiency can also play a role in osteoporosis, as it helps the body absorb calcium and use it to mineralize bone structure. Osteoporosis can also be a sign of low vitamin D levels. Another bone disorder, rickets, is perhaps the bone disease most closely linked to vitamin D deficiency. According to MayoClinic.com, the deficiency occurs before symptoms are noted; skeletal deformities like bowed legs or abnormal spine curvature, impaired growth, fragile bones, and dental problems can all indicate a vitamin D deficiency.
Pregnancy
During pregnancy, if you have low levels of calcium and vitamin D, you are actually at risk for developing pregnancy-associated osteoporosis, or PAO. In September 2010, a German journal, "Der Orthopade," released a study that discussed PAO and its associated symptoms. Pain in muscles and bones during pregnancy or breast-feeding may indicate PAO. Fortunately, the study states that "physiotherapy, pain killers and substitution of vitamin D and calcium leads to a rapid recovery from symptoms."
Cancer
Signs and symptoms of different cancers may vary, and cancer itself is the culmination of many deficiencies and imbalances; however, some studies link vitamin D deficiency to an increased cancer risk. Doctors are concerned about vitamin D deficiency in women and their potential to develop breast cancer. "Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers, and Prevention" published a study in September 2010 that investigated the link between breast cancer and vitamin D. Results showed that, particularly in younger women, high levels of serum D3 were associated with decreased breast cancer risk. The researchers state that trials using vitamin D as an intervention are required to confirm the data; however, vitamin D supplementation should be encouraged by public health policy.
References
- "Molecular Nutrition and Food Research"; A review of the critical role of vitamin D in the functioning of the immune system and the clinical implications of vitamin D deficiency; G.K. Schwalfenberg; September 2010
- MayoClinic.com: Rickets and Vitamin D
- MayoClinic.com: Osteoporosis
- "Der Orthopade"; Pregnancy-associated osteoporosis : Differential diagnosis of "common" musculoskeletal pain during pregnancy and lactation; U. Heim et al; September 2010
- "Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers, and Prevention"; Serum 25(OH) Vitamin D and Risk of Breast Cancer: A Nested Case-Control Study from the French E3N Cohort; P. Engel et al; September 2010
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