There are two forms of vitamin D that are important for the body's nutritional requirements: Vitamin D2, also known as ergocalciferol, is the form found in vitamin supplements. Vitamin D3 is the active, naturally occurring type of the vitamin. Vitamin D is essential for the maintenance of the body's calcium needs. Low vitamin D levels result in low calcium levels.
Causes of Low Vitamin D
The skin produces vitamin D when exposed to sunlight. Therefore, the main cause of vitamin D deficiency is lack of exposure to the sun. This is common in people who do not spend enough time outdoors, like institutionalized elderly, people who keep their bodies covered, and during the long winters in the northern and southern latitudes. Vitamin D deficiency is also common in exclusively breastfed infants not exposed to enough sunlight, as breast milk lacks enough vitamin D for the baby's growing needs.
Vitamin D and Calcium
Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin, which means the body usually has enough supplies of it stored in the liver and fat tissue. Vitamin D is important in the absorption of calcium from the gut and for the maintenance of appropriate levels in the blood of calcium and phosphate, the main components in the formation, growth and healing of bones. Vitamin D is also important in the maintenance of normal cell growth and for the proper functioning of the immune system.
Symptoms of Vitamin D Deficiency in Children
Children with vitamin D deficiencies and low calcium levels can develop rickets. Children with rickets have weak, brittle bones, a softening of the skull and stunting of bone growth. As a result, they can have an abnormal curvature of the spine and bowing of the long bones of the legs. Rickets causes delays in the ability to crawl and walk in babies, while older children and adolescents can experience bone pain when moving.
Symptoms of Vitamin D Deficiency in Adults
Adults with vitamin D deficiency and low calcium can develop osteomalacia, a weakening of the bones that can predispose them to fractures, even with just minor trauma. Other symptoms include bone pain and muscle weakness. Low calcium can also result in tetany, an abnormal involuntary contraction of muscles, resulting in frequent muscle twitching or painful spasms.
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