9 things that could happen if you're not getting enough vitamin D
December 19, 2018
Vitamin D is essential in supporting healthy bones, immune function, and preventing some diseases, making it important to make sure you have enough of this nutrient in your diet.
Not consuming enough vitamin D can lead to some serious consequences, as experts suggest that bone loss, poor immunity, and depressed mood can occur if you do not consume your regular daily amount.
To make sure you keep abreast of all the warning signs associated with poor vitamin D levels, we spoke to some dietitians and physicians about some red flags to keep in mind just in case you are concerned you aren't obtaining enough of this necessary nutrient.
Below are nine things that could happen if you aren't getting enough vitamin D.
You can experience bone pain.
"Bone pain and lower back pain may be signs of inadequate vitamin D levels in the blood," registered dietitian and nutritionist Rachel Fine, MS, CSSD, CDN told INSIDER.
Sufferers may even experience chronic aches, she added, which can be due to underlying inflammation - a condition that's also known as osteomalacia.
You get sick more often.
"Vitamin D plays an important role in our immune system that helps fight off sickness," said registered dietitian Chelsea Gold, MS.
If your immune system isn't functioning properly, you might catch whatever is going around, she suggested.
You are tired all the time.
"There is evidence that vitamin D deficiencies are associated with fatigue and sleep disorders," Gold told INSIDER.
You can experience bone loss.
"Vitamin D plays a crucial part in calcium absorption and bone metabolism," said Gold.
Getting enough vitamin D is very important in preserving your bone mass as you get older, she added.
You can experience depression.
More research is needed to ensure there is a connection between depression and low vitamin D levels. Joe Raedle/Getty Images
"According to the Vitamin D Council, vitamin D receptors have been found in many parts of the brain, including in areas linked to depression," Gold explained.
Although more concrete research needs to be done, she suggested that there may be a link between low vitamin D levels and depression.
You may be at risk for chronic infections.
"Vitamin D impacts the T-lymphocytes of the immune system," said board certified physician Monisha Bhanote, FASCP, FCAP.
Individuals may be more prone to getting recurrent respiratory tract infections and may get sick more often as decreased vitamin D levels can not fight pathogens like bacteria and viruses, she suggested.
You may be at risk for cardiovascular disease.
Vitamin D has received widespread attention for its potential role in preventing cardiovascular disease. Getty Images
"Increased levels of vitamin D are associated with decreased risk of hypertension," Bhanote said.
More research, however, is needed on the topic.
You may be at risk for diabetes.
A person receives a test for diabetes. Thomson Reuters
"Studies have show that vitamin D can improve the body's sensitivity to insulin, thereby lowering the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes, regardless of their weight," Bhanote told INSIDER.
You may become less fertile.
There is some evidence that vitamin D modulates reproductive processes in both women and men. Rajesh Kumar Singh, File/AP
"If you're planning on starting a family, you should be aware that not getting enough vitamin D may make you less fertile," suggested registered dietitian Melissa Groves, LD. Vitamin D is essential for both male and female fertility, she said.
https://www.thisisinsider.com/what-happens-if-you-dont-get-enough-vitamin-d-2018-12#you-will-want-to-be-careful-how-you-supplement-vitamin-d-into-your-life-10
Vitamin D is essential in supporting healthy bones, immune function, and preventing some diseases, making it important to make sure you have enough of this nutrient in your diet.
Not consuming enough vitamin D can lead to some serious consequences, as experts suggest that bone loss, poor immunity, and depressed mood can occur if you do not consume your regular daily amount.
To make sure you keep abreast of all the warning signs associated with poor vitamin D levels, we spoke to some dietitians and physicians about some red flags to keep in mind just in case you are concerned you aren't obtaining enough of this necessary nutrient.
Below are nine things that could happen if you aren't getting enough vitamin D.
You can experience bone pain.
"Bone pain and lower back pain may be signs of inadequate vitamin D levels in the blood," registered dietitian and nutritionist Rachel Fine, MS, CSSD, CDN told INSIDER.
Sufferers may even experience chronic aches, she added, which can be due to underlying inflammation - a condition that's also known as osteomalacia.
You get sick more often.
"Vitamin D plays an important role in our immune system that helps fight off sickness," said registered dietitian Chelsea Gold, MS.
If your immune system isn't functioning properly, you might catch whatever is going around, she suggested.
You are tired all the time.
"There is evidence that vitamin D deficiencies are associated with fatigue and sleep disorders," Gold told INSIDER.
You can experience bone loss.
"Vitamin D plays a crucial part in calcium absorption and bone metabolism," said Gold.
Getting enough vitamin D is very important in preserving your bone mass as you get older, she added.
You can experience depression.
More research is needed to ensure there is a connection between depression and low vitamin D levels. Joe Raedle/Getty Images
"According to the Vitamin D Council, vitamin D receptors have been found in many parts of the brain, including in areas linked to depression," Gold explained.
Although more concrete research needs to be done, she suggested that there may be a link between low vitamin D levels and depression.
You may be at risk for chronic infections.
"Vitamin D impacts the T-lymphocytes of the immune system," said board certified physician Monisha Bhanote, FASCP, FCAP.
Individuals may be more prone to getting recurrent respiratory tract infections and may get sick more often as decreased vitamin D levels can not fight pathogens like bacteria and viruses, she suggested.
You may be at risk for cardiovascular disease.
Vitamin D has received widespread attention for its potential role in preventing cardiovascular disease. Getty Images
"Increased levels of vitamin D are associated with decreased risk of hypertension," Bhanote said.
More research, however, is needed on the topic.
You may be at risk for diabetes.
A person receives a test for diabetes. Thomson Reuters
"Studies have show that vitamin D can improve the body's sensitivity to insulin, thereby lowering the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes, regardless of their weight," Bhanote told INSIDER.
You may become less fertile.
There is some evidence that vitamin D modulates reproductive processes in both women and men. Rajesh Kumar Singh, File/AP
"If you're planning on starting a family, you should be aware that not getting enough vitamin D may make you less fertile," suggested registered dietitian Melissa Groves, LD. Vitamin D is essential for both male and female fertility, she said.
https://www.thisisinsider.com/what-happens-if-you-dont-get-enough-vitamin-d-2018-12#you-will-want-to-be-careful-how-you-supplement-vitamin-d-into-your-life-10
