Lack of vitamin D: symptoms in adults, how to treat

Long ago it was believed that vitamin D is useful only for teeth and bones, but over time other circumstances became clear. The fact is that this microelement is associated with numerous health problems. Even proved that the risk of developing cancer and diabetes is increasing if a person suffers from a lack of vitamin D. In our country, this phenomenon is quite common, since most regions do not get the dose of sunlight that is necessary for the synthesis of this trace element. So, what is the danger of lack of vitamin D? Symptoms in adults, photos, how the disease manifests itself and how to treat it - all this you will find in our article.

What is calciferol?

Vitamin D, or, as it is called scientifically, calciferol, is a group of biologically active and fat-soluble pro-vitamins: cholecalciferol and ergocalciferol. This element was discovered almost 95 years ago by the American biochemist Elmer McCollum. And they used it mainly for the treatment of bone diseases (rickets, osteoporosis). Today, the lack of vitamin D, the symptoms in adults which are manifested mainly by frequent fractures, can have more serious consequences for human health.

As already mentioned, two active provitamines of calciferol are isolated.

1. Cholecalciferol or D3.
2. Ergocalciferol or D2.

The first provitamin is formed under the action of ultraviolet rays. And the second enters the body with food. To see how useful this element is, consider the functions that it performs:

• The main elements for the formation of our teeth and bones are calcium and magnesium, so for their correct assimilation, vitamin D. is needed.
• Also this "solar vitamin" takes an active part in the development and growth of cells. Prevents reproduction of cancer cells.
• Vitamin D increases immunity, provides healthy blood coagulability and thyroid function.
• Provides normal operation of nerve impulses.
• Vitamin D has an effect on the sugar content in the blood.

In fact, this is only a small part of how vitamin D affects the human body.

What is the daily norm of calciferol?

The daily norm of calciferol directly depends on the person's age, on his physical activity and even on where he lives. For example, for the youngest (from one year to three years), it is necessary to receive 10 μg of this element per day. The same dose should be provided to pregnant and lactating women. Adults need only 2.5 mcg per day. Elderly, the dosage is increased to 15 μg. There are also some factors in which the daily norm should be increased. For example, people who live in the northern regions are more likely to suffer from a lack of sun, their daily requirement should be above 10 mcg. Also if people who work at night and sleep when the sun is shining on the street. They also need increased intake of vitamin D.

Causes of deficiency of "solar vitamin"

The main reason for the deficiency of vitamin D in the body, it's still the wrong way of life. A scanty diet, lack of physical activity - all this leads to a lack of essential microelements. But there are a number of other factors that do not depend on the lifestyle, while influencing the content of this vitamin in the body:

1. Elderly age. The fact is that in the elderly the function of absorption of this trace element is violated in the body, therefore it comes in insufficient quantity, and a deficiency of vitamin D is formed. Symptoms in elderly people with this disease, as a rule, do not notice, referring to age.
2. The "sunny" prohibition. It so happens that doctors simply categorically forbid sunbathing, for example, with oncological skin diseases. In other cases, you can sunbathe. Just choose the right time for this and do not sunbathe through the glass.
3. Swarthy skin. Dark skin color prevents the synthesis of vitamin D, because the overabundance of melanin protects against ultraviolet rays.
4. Pregnancy and lactation. During this period, the future mother is disturbed by the balance of calcium and phosphorus, and all the beneficial substances go to the development of the baby, and the mother remains with nothing.
5. Diseases of the liver and kidneys. These organs play a major role in turning the vitamin into an active form, so if they fail, the deficit of an important element is assured.

Vitamin D deficiency: symptoms in adults

Lack of vitamin D only at the initial stage may not be felt, but soon you will notice how your condition worsened and, as it seems to you, for no apparent reason. To understand how this disease manifests, you need to know the main signs, because many do not even suspect that they have a lack of vitamin D. Symptoms in adults with this disease are as follows:

• General weakness.
• Nervousness, irritability and depression.
• Problems with the stool.
• Sleep disturbance.
• Problems with the teeth, namely, the appearance of caries, loosening or complete loss of them.
• Impairment of vision.
• Friability and brittleness of bones.
• Muscle weakness.
• Increased sweating of the head.
• Loss of appetite and, as a result, weight loss.
• Pain in the joints.
• Muscle cramps.
• It is believed that with such an ailment as a lack of vitamin D (symptoms in adults), skin may appear peeling.

Since all these symptoms may be signs of other diseases, it is important to contact an experienced specialist who will conduct all relevant studies and prescribe effective treatment.

Treatment

Now you know what is the lack of vitamin D, the symptoms in adults. How to treat this problem? It's time to discuss this issue. In fact, there is nothing complicated and all the more expensive in this. It is enough to perform simple, but daily actions:

1. The easiest way to get the right dose is to walk outside in sunny weather. It's only half an hour.
2. You can take biologically active supplements, which are sold in pharmacies and are inexpensive.
3. Regularly eat foods that are rich in vitamin D. The list we presented a little lower.
4. Carrying out ultraviolet irradiation in a hospital.
5. Treatment of diseases of internal organs.

What is the danger of vitamin D deficiency?

Probably, it seems to many that the banal lack of calciferol does not threaten anything, but this is a great misconception. It can lead to more serious consequences if measures for its treatment are not taken in time, for example, such as:

• Asthma.
• Osteoporosis.
• Oncology.
• Hypertension.
• Migraine.
• Diabetes.
• Atherosclerosis.

Many women are probably interested in the question of how the lack of vitamin D (symptoms in adults) on the skin from manifestations in children is reflected. Of course, each vitamin has some value for its health, but as for this trace element, there is no definite answer. Some studies have been carried out, and as it turned out, one part of people with dry skin found a deficiency of this component, and the other - it was absent.

Foods rich in vitamin D

Calciferol is found only in animal food. We offer you a list of 10 products that are rich in vitamin D:

1. Beef liver.
2. Chicken egg, namely yolk.
3. Butter.
4. Cottage cheese.
5. Cheese.
6. Sour cream.
7. Cream.
8. Liver of marine fish.
9. Milk.
10. Mushrooms.

Conclusion

The lack of calciferol is easily eliminated, the main thing is to notice this problem in time and start to solve it. After all, it's not the deficit itself that is dangerous, but the consequences that it draws after itself. After reading this article, you now know what is the lack of vitamin D, the symptoms in adults, how to treat this ailment at home, and much more. Be attentive to your health!