Little-Known Health Risks of Vitamin D Deficiency

"Recent scientific research shows that vitamin D deficiency leads to tumor development, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, susceptibility to infections, and depression," said Barış Gündoğdu, Assistant Professor of Rheumatology, adding that musculoskeletal pain is also frequently observed in cases of vitamin D deficiency. Vitamin D, which is extremely important for the body, is a molecule with a predominantly hormonal structure that has different effects on various systems in the body, particularly the musculoskeletal system. Two forms of vitamin D are important for nutrition.

What Are Vitamins D2 and D3?

Vitamin D2 is produced in plants and yeast fungi. It is also found in high doses in fortified food supplements. Vitamin D3, on the other hand, is the most active form of vitamin D and is produced in the skin following direct exposure to sunlight. The most common food sources of vitamin D3 are fortified cereals and daily supplement foods. This vitamin is also found in fish livers and fatty saltwater fish.

Deficiency Affects the Entire Body!

Recent scientific research indicates that vitamin D deficiency leads to tumor development (colon, breast, prostate cancers), cardiovascular disease, diabetes, susceptibility to infections, and depression. Furthermore, medical publications suggest that vitamin D plays an important role in immune tolerance. Therefore, vitamin D deficiency increases susceptibility to connective tissue diseases (systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, etc.) and intensifies joint pain in patients with such diagnoses.

Who Is Most Affected?

The most common cause of vitamin D deficiency is insufficient exposure to sunlight! However, those who spend long periods indoors during the day, those with serious liver or kidney disease, and those taking rifampicin (tuberculosis medication), anti-epilepsy medication are at risk of vitamin D deficiency.

"The Sun's Healing Rays Cannot Penetrate Through Glass"

Vitamin D is produced by your skin when it encounters ultraviolet radiation from natural sunlight. The sun's healing rays (which produce vitamin D in your skin) cannot penetrate through any window glass. In other words, vitamin D is not produced in the skin when you sit at home or in a car. It is nearly impossible to obtain sufficient vitamin D from your daily diet. The only way to produce vitamin D in your body is through direct contact with sunlight. To meet the minimum daily vitamin D requirement at the lowest level, you would need to drink at least 10 glasses of milk fortified with vitamin D. However, this is practically impossible and excessive milk consumption can lead to a condition called "milk-alkali syndrome."

How Do We Obtain Vitamin D?

Direct exposure to sunlight for 5-15 minutes at least 3 times per week should be ensured on the arms and legs or on the face, arms and hands. However, people with darker skin, those using sunscreen or the elderly may require longer periods of sun exposure. Recent research indicates that the daily vitamin D requirement in the elderly is 800 IU. Vitamin D supplementation is particularly important in those with systemic-rheumatic diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus, and those taking corticosteroids for these reasons.

Can Cause Rickets in Children and Bone Loss in Adults!

Vitamin D deficiency can cause muscle weakness, widespread pain in muscles and bones in all age groups. Low blood levels of vitamin D lead to rickets in infants and children. In adults, it can particularly lead to osteomalacia (bone softening) and osteoporosis (bone loss) in the spine, pelvis and leg bones. Affected bones are painful to the touch and fractures may occur following minor trauma or spontaneously.