Vitamin D is often called the sun vitamin because the sun is a natural source of vitamin D. When the sunrays hit our skin, it triggers vitamin D production in our bodies. The problem is that in today’s society, where people spend ages indoors or slather themselves in sunblock before going outside, many suffer from vitamin D deficiency—often without realizing it.
What is Vitamin D?
Vitamin D is a precursor to a steroid hormone in our bodies called calcitrol, which regulates calcium and phosphorus levels in our bodies.
Some symptoms of vitamin D deficiency:
fatigue
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
Depression and mood swings
Increased risk of death from cardiovascular disease
Cancer
Cognitive impairment is greater in adults
All my life I have heard about vitamin D deficiency and rickets in third world countries, but it never occurred to me that I might also have vitamin D deficiency until I started doing some research.
Two years ago, I started having these severe mood swings. One minute, then I was out of the blue, feeling very depressed, even though I knew nothing was missing. This time it was winter and I chalked it up to the sad (emotional disturbance of the season) which was often a problem for me, but when the truths were lost and my depression persisted, I began to wonder if I had any kind of semblance. a href=”https://e-info.vn/tag/hormonal-imbalances”>hormonal imbalance.
As I started reading about vitamin D deficiency, things started to make sense. I spent most of my days in the office window dressing, often leaving work after dark. Commuting by subway also contributed to my lack of sun exposure.
I decided to try a vitamin D supplement to see if it had an effect on my mind and to my surprise, it actually worked. After taking the vitamin for a few weeks I felt like a new person. Severe mood swings and endless depression are gone.
After doing more research on vitamin D, I also noticed that I had other symptoms of vitamin D deficiency that I didn’t recognize as such. Bone pain in the pelvic area, dental caries, flossing and brushing twice a day, and fatigue. I have been taking vitamin D daily for the past two years and they have disappeared.
Vitamin D deficiency symptoms can be easily missed because the symptoms can be caused by many other things. If you have any of these with no explanation, consult with your doctor about a possible vitamin D deficiency. The solution may be as simple as taking a small pill every day.
Sources:
Personal experience
Marcelle Select, OB/GYN NP, Vitamin D deficiency casting a cloud over your health?, Women to Women Vitamin D deficiency, Web MD
