8 Vitamin D Deficiency Symptoms You Can Identify Yourself
1) Fatigue?
2) Fall sick easily?
3) Bone/ back pain?
4) Digestion issues?
5) Hair loss?
6) Moody?
7) Poor wound healing?
8) Poor concentration?
What is Vitamin D?
A fat-soluble vitamin with important functions in our body. For example, Vitamin D helps calcium absorption.Vitamin D is made in the skin under the influence of sunlight, but this production decreases with increasing age. Interestingly, older Chinese Malaysian men with high physical activity level and a lower BMI have been found to have higher serum Vitamin D level.
Vitamin D is available in 2 forms: Vitamin D2 and Vitamin D3. There is no difference between D2 & D3 for raising the blood levels of Vitamin D in our body. BUT, research shows that Vitamin D3 is more efficacious in increasing our Vitamin D level.
•79% of Malaysian aged 13 yrs are deficient in Vitamin D3, with Malay ladies at higher risk.
•49% of Malaysian post-menopausal women are deficient in Vitamin D3.
Who are at high risk of Vitamin D deficiency?
? Darker skin
? Overweight or obese
? Elderly
? Stay Indoors
? Always apply sunscreen
Research shows inadequate Vitamin D has been linked with:
? Increased risk of fractures in older adults
? Age-related high blood pressure
? Age-related macular (eye) degeneration
? Twice the risk of having heart attack
? Poor diabetes control
? Cognitive decline
? Obesity
? Depression
According to the Malaysia Recommended Nutrient Intake, one should have at least 15μg (600IU) Vitamin D daily. The best way to know if you are getting enough is to do a blood test.
As Vitamin D is available from your diet and direct sunlight, how do you know if you need supplementation?
▶ If the blood test shows that you are Vitamin D deficient.
▶ If you aren't able to be outdoors between 11am and 3pm.
▶ If you regularly have digestive issues that may affect effective Vitamin D absorption from your diet.
Nourish your body with the "SUNSHINE" Vitamin today for better health & wellbeing!
References:
1. Al-Sadat et al. 2016, “Vitamin D deficiency in Malaysian adolescents aged 13 years : findings from the Malaysian Health and Adolescents Longituidinal Research Team study (MyHearts), British Medical Journal
2. Moy, FM 2011, “Vitamin D status and its associated factors of free living Malay adults in a tropical country, Malaysia”, Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology : Biology
3. Malhotra & Mithal 2009, “Vitamin D status in Asia”, International Osteoporosis Foundation
4. Tripkovic et al.2012, "Comparison of Vitamin D2 and Vitamin D3 supplementation in raising serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D status: a systematic review and meta-analysis", American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, vol 95, pp. 1357 - 1364
5. "Vitamin D and Health", Harvard School of Public Health, https://www.hsph.havard.edu/nutritionsource/what-should-you-eat/vitamins/vitamin-d/
This information is provided by Groway for education purposes only. It should not be used to substitute medical diagnosis.