Vitamin D Deficiency In Women And Its Risks
Learn how to spot some subtle yet effective symptoms that indicate you may be deficient in vitamin D.
If you notice that you have any of these symptoms, it is necessary to talk to your doctor, who will probably recommend a blood test. This is the only way to accurately determine your vitamin D level.
Vitamin D is an extremely important nutrient due to the powerful effects it has on various systems of the body. This vitamin is mainly produced by the body from a specific type of cholesterol, which is converted by the effect of the sun.
However, vitamin D can also be absorbed by eating certain foods. Although it is a vitamin, it is also considered a hormone as it is essentially synthesized in the skin through various stages of transformation in the liver and kidneys.
Vitamin D should definitely be a concern for women, especially those who are breastfeeding and pregnant and not taking supplements. The deficiency is a risk factor for fetal development, the immune system and bones.
Risks related to vitamin D deficiency in women
The body produces a good amount of vitamin D. This happens in the skin, due to the effect that ultraviolet sunlight has on cholesterol. Meanwhile, another part comes from food.
Keep in mind that vitamin D is found in most foods. The main ones are fatty fish, cod liver oil and some plants, such as mushrooms.
Vitamin D deficiency in women is a real threat to their health. Some symptoms show clear signs of a deficiency in this vitamin, such as chronic and permanent pain in the bones, joints and muscles, or a state of depression or fatigue.
1. Hypertension
High blood pressure is a common disease and a very important cardiovascular risk factor. Vitamin D plays an important role in a woman’s health, thus helping to reduce the cardiovascular risk caused by high blood pressure.
In fact , a lack of vitamin D can negatively affect blood pressure. Therefore, taking a supplement of this vitamin is one of the best ways to regulate blood pressure.
2. Depression
Depression can be the result of a vitamin D deficiency. There is even an important link between low vitamin D levels and the symptoms of depression. Vitamin D also plays an essential role in regulating serotonin synthesis.
Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that regulates appetite and mood, which is hormonally activated by vitamin D. Therefore, it is a determining factor in women’s mood and plays an important role in depression.
3. Fatigue and lack of sleep
One of the main functions of vitamin D is to help the body absorb calcium, in addition to fighting fatigue and boosting the immune system. Fatigue and sleepiness are some of the most well-known symptoms of vitamin D deficiency in women.
As a hormone , vitamin D plays an important role in metabolism and the immune system. Similarly, it also plays a key role in the quality of sleep women have.
4. Joints and Bones
Joint pain is one of the main symptoms caused by vitamin D deficiency in women. In fact, this vitamin can reduce pain in muscles and bones.
Vitamin D has beneficial effects on women’s health because it:
- Promotes proper function of muscles.
- Their strength increases.
- Reduces the risk of fractures.
It also helps prevent thinning and weakening of bones and reduces the risk of osteoporosis, which is common in women as estrogen levels decline during menopause.
Finally, also keep in mind that vitamin D is still an organic compound necessary for a woman’s metabolism.
Therefore, it is essential to eat a balanced diet on a daily basis and expose yourself to the sun every day, especially in the morning. This prevents the risks of this vitamin deficiency.