Vitamin D helps the body absorb and utilize calcium for building and repairing bones. Vitamin D deficiency in children causes a condition known as rickets and is characterized by soft, easily deformable bones that result in bowed legs and other abnormalities. In adults, vitamin D deficiency can contribute to the onset of osteoporosis. The easiest way to obtain an adequate amount of vitamin D is to spend time in the sun, as the body is able to synthesize it from sunlight. Fish is a good food source of D; milk, cereal and bread are also often fortified with this vitamin.
Lack of Sun Exposure
The primary cause of vitamin D deficiency is lack of adequate exposure to sunlight. The National Institutes of Health suggests five to 30 minutes of sun exposure between 10 AM and 3 PM at least twice a week as a rough guideline. Lack of sun exposure can be caused by, among other factors, overuse of sunscreen, weather conditions and geographical location. The darker your skin, the more time in the sun you'll need to meet your vitamin D needs.
Advancing Age
As you age, your body's ability to synthesize vitamin D from skin exposure to sunlight declines. Your skin synthesizes less than before, and your kidneys are less able to activate the vitamin's hormone form. People over age 50 are therefore considered a high-risk category for vitamin D deficiency.
Fat Malabsorption
Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin, and if you suffer from a condition that inhibits your ability to absorb fat, you're likely to experience a vitamin D deficit as well. Crohn's Disease and cystic fibrosis are two examples of these types of disorders. Other conditions include pancreatic enzyme deficiency, celiac disease, gall bladder disease and certain forms of liver disease.
Gastric Bypass Surgery
Gastric bypass surgery curtails the ability of your digestive system to absorb nutrients in general, and in particular, vitamin D, as the section of the small intestine responsible for D's absorption is bypassed by this procedure.
Medications
Certain medications may inhibit your body's ability to absorb or synthesize vitamin D. These include corticosteroids, the anticoagulant Heparin, Tagamet and Dilantin and similar anticonvulsants.
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