Vitamin D deficiency can create a host of problems. Lack of this vitamin is associated with higher risk for stroke, heart attack, high blood pressure, obesity and diabetes. It also can lead to secondary hyperparathyroidism, which means having low levels of parathyroid hormone. This hormone helps to regulate calcium and phosphorus in the body. Lack of vitamin D in growing children can cause rickets. This is a condition in which bones weaken and soften, with symptoms such as bone pain or tenderness, dental deformities, impaired growth, skeletal deformities and increased bone fractures.
Step 1
Replace the vitamin D you are lacking to treat vitamin D deficiency-related problems, including rickets, reports the National Institutes of Health. The disorder often will improve after about one week, reports the NIH. Replacing vitamin D also works for secondary hyperparathyroidism. Eat processed milk, salmon, tuna, mackerel, cod liver oil, eggs and liver to gain vitamin D in your diet. Get exposure to moderate amounts of sunlight, if possible. That means 30 minutes of exposure to direct sunlight two to three times weekly, attained between noon and 3 p.m. When rickets is corrected for a young child, skeletal deformities frequently disappear or improve with time. The recommended daily allowance for vitamin D is between 200 and 600 international units for adults, depending on age. Many experts, however, are saying that people should take in 800 to 1,000 IU of vitamin D each day, according to the Mayo Clinic. For children up to 1 year old the RDA is 200 IU, and those ages 1 to 18 need 200 IU, advises the University of Maryland Medical Center.
Step 2
Take supplements if you have a hard time gaining vitamin D via diet and sun exposure. Consider a supplement that includes calcium as well. The Mayo Clinic recommends taking a supplement twice daily. This should have 400 IU of vitamin D and 500 to 600 mg of calcium for an adult. Consult with a doctor before beginning, the clinic advises. For a child, follow a doctor's recommendation for supplementation. Difficulty with sun exposure can occur for people who live in northern climates, don't go outside very much or have dark skin. Do not overdo on the supplements. Daily doses higher than 2,000 IU can be harmful.
Step 3
Get checked for a metabolic problem if adding vitamin D to your diet, getting sun exposure and supplementing does not eliminate the deficiency. Gain prescription vitamin D supplements from your doctor if you have a metabolic problem.
Step 4
Ask your doctor about the need for additional vitamin D if you are taking drugs that can decrease your vitamin D levels, advises the University of Maryland Medical Center. These include antacids for long periods of time; anti-seizure medications such as phenobarbital, phenytoin, primidone and valproic acid; bile acid sequestrants used to lower cholesterol such as cholestyramine and cholestipol; mineral oil; or orlistat, which is used for weight loss.
Step 5
Obtain positioning or bracing if necessary in long-term cases of rickets. These can reduce or prevent deformities, according to the NIH. Corrective surgery might be needed if skeletal deformities are present.
Things You'll Need
- Processed milk
- Salmon, tuna or mackerel
- Cod liver oil
- Eggs
- Liver
- Vitamin D supplements
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