All About Vitamin D

Most people know they need vitamins to stay healthy, but they don’t know how much they need or if they are deficient in any. Vitamin D is one of the most important vitamins that the human body needs to be healthy. There is good news; the main source of vitamin D is sunlight, and spending just 20 minutes a day outside gives your body plenty to absorb!

With the weather being unpredictable, though, you may need to instill an adequate source in your everyday life. A vitamin D deficiency is surprisingly common, yet most people aren’t unaware of it. It’s estimated that one billion people around the globe today have low levels of vitamin D in their blood. A study in 2011 showed that over 41 percent of adults in the US were deficient, and the statistics of Hispanics rose to 69 percent and 82 percent in African Americans!

Here are seven signs or symptoms of a vitamin D deficiency:

1. Feeling tired or depressed
2. Getting sick and infections often
3. Bone and back pain
4. Wounds heal slowly
5. Muscle pain
6. Bone and hair loss
7. Kidney failure

Here are seven characteristics of those who are prone to develop a deficiency:

1. Men and women with dark skin
2. The elderly
3. Those living in areas with short seasons of direct sunlight
4. People who always use sunscreen when they go outside
5. Spending most of the time indoors
6. People who are overweight or obese
7. Not eating fish or dairy

Vitamin D is different from other vitamins because it functions as a hormone, and it plays a role in the life of every cell in the body. The main role of the vitamin is to process calcium, so it can be absorbed into the bones to make them stronger. Without adequate levels of this important vitamin, bones get weak and brittle. Vitamin D also promotes the immune and neuromuscular systems.

Vitamin D is an extremely important vitamin for overall health. If you have any questions about this vitamin or you are interested in learning about how Vitamin D injections can benefit you, make an appointment at Simply Slim Medical. One of our health experts will discuss your individual symptoms with you. We have offices located in Bethesda, MD and Falls Church, VA, but we proudly serve clients throughout the following areas: DMV (DC, Maryland, Virginia) and Tysons Corner, VA. Contact us today to book an appointment and get started.