Tiredness, also known as fatigue, is defined as a lack of motivation and energy. While the feeling of tiredness may be a normal response to physical activities, emotional stress and sleep deprivation, fatigue may also be a sign of a more serious problem. Along with medical conditions that may cause tiredness, a deficiency in vitamin D may be the culprit of your tiredness. The Vitamin D Council reports nearly 50-percent of the world's population is at risk of vitamin D deficiency, and if you are an otherwise healthy individual, yet you still experience tiredness you may not be receiving ample vitamin D3.
Vitamin D3 Purpose
Vitamin D3 is one of the two forms of vitamin D found within the body, and its purpose is to maintain proper levels of phosphorus and calcium within the blood stream as well as assisting the body in absorbing calcium from dietary sources to maintain healthy bones. The Mayo Clinic reports that in recent studies, the use of vitamin D, both D2 and D3, may help protect the body from high blood pressure, autoimmune disease, osteoporosis and cancer. Vitamin D3 is typically created by the body through exposure to UV-B radiation from sunlight; however, this vitamin D3 may be consumed through dietary supplements known as cholecalciferol, according to the National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements.
Vitamin D3 Deficiency
A deficiency in vitamin D3 may lead to serious health complications, which include a generalized feeling of fatigue or tiredness. Skeletal deformities known as rickets are among the most serious condition directly related to vitamin D3 deficiencies. MayoClinic.com states the obese, elderly and those with limited sun exposure are at the greatest risk of vitamin D3 deficiency.
Recommended Dosage
The National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements suggests people aged one to 70 years of age consume 15 mcg of vitamin D per day to maintain healthy D3 levels within the body. You may also absorb the proper amount of vitamin D3 by sunbathing for 5 to 30 minutes between 10:00 am and 3:00 pm at least two times per week without using sunscreen; however, due to risk of skin cancer with excessive UV radiation exposure, scientific studies to determine the ideal amount of sun exposure are unavailable.
Warnings
If you consume excessive amounts of vitamin D3 you are at risk of developing adverse side effects. Excessive vitamin D3 may lead to weight loss, anorexia, increased blood-calcium levels and damage to the kidneys, heart and blood vessels. Never consume more than 100 mcg of vitamin D per day. The risk of excess vitamin D3 due to prolonged sun exposure is non-existent as the body is only able to produce so much of vitamin D3 through UV-B radiation, but excessive sun exposure increases your chance of developing sunburn and potentially skin cancer. Always speak with your doctor prior to beginning a vitamin D3 supplementation program to ensure its safety and to obtain personalized dosage recommendations.
References
- Mayo Clinic; Vitamin D; April 2011
- National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements; Vitamin D; February 2011
- Vitamin D Council; What is Vitamin D?; June 2011
- Vitamin D Council; Vitamin D Deficiency: A Global Epidemic; June 2011
- MedlinePlus; Fatigue; David Zieve, M.D., M.H.A., et al.; February 2010
- The Weston A. Price Foundation; The Miracle of Vitamin D; Krispin Sullivan, C.N.; December 2000
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