What Are Symptoms Of Vitamin D Deficiency In Adults
Since vitamin D plays an important role in many bodily processes, there are a range of signs and symptoms that can indicate whether youre suffering from a deficiency. Many people deficient in vitamin D report feeling tired and weak all the time, and tend to get sick on a regular basis. Chronic pain in bones and muscles is other common symptom of vitamin D deficiency.
Symptoms of vitamin D deficiency in adults include:
- Weakness
- Depression
Extra Vitamin D Has Benefits
If you take vitamin D supplements, your doctor may have prescribed them to support the absorption of supplemental calcium. Calcium, like most minerals, can cause constipation. This makes it difficult to blame either supplement for your bowel trouble. Another reason to take vitamin D emerged from a 2009 study published in the “American Journal of Epidemiology.” It suggested that higher levels of cardiovascular death occur in people with low levels of vitamin D. Reports such as these have produced an awareness of the importance of vitamin D supplementation that is unrelated to calcium.
- If you take vitamin D supplements, your doctor may have prescribed them to support the absorption of supplemental calcium.
- It suggested that higher levels of cardiovascular death occur in people with low levels of vitamin D. Reports such as these have produced an awareness of the importance of vitamin D supplementation that is unrelated to calcium.
Vitamin D Supplement Safety
Your body produces vitamin D when exposed to the sun, but many people may not get enough due to a variety of factors. Because of this, people often turn to vitamin D supplements. Unfortunately, it isnt uncommon for people to overdo it.
A 2017 study published in The Journal of the American Medical Association found that between 1999 and 2014, there was an increase in the number of American adults taking daily vitamin D supplements of 1,000 IU or more. Of these, 18% exceeded 1000 IU each day and 3% took more than 4,000 IU per day, which may place them at a higher risk of experiencing some adverse effects related to excessive vitamin D.
In most cases, you can get all of the vitamin D you need naturally without supplementation through sun exposure and diet. A 15-minute walk outside each day with your extremities exposed can boost vitamin D production. .
Eating foods that are naturally high in vitamin D or are fortified with the nutrient can help. Foods you can eat to boost your vitamin D levels include:
- Egg yolks
- Fortified milk, yogurt, or juice
- Cheese
- Fatter fish such as tuna or salmon
- Cod liver oil
If you do decide to take a vitamin D supplement to correct a deficiency or because you are unable to get an adequate amount through sunlight and diet, always follow your doctor’s guidelines and do not take more than recommended amounts.
Also Check: Microbiome Ulcerative Colitis
How To Choose The Best Calcium
When looking at calcium supplements, consider these factors:
There are several things to consider when purchasing a calcium supplement. Running out to the store and buying the cheapest one you see can actually do you more harm than good. Not only can that supplement cause painful constipation, it can cause other health issues and end up being one more thing cluttering up your cabinets.
Consider the following points before putting your money towards a calcium supplement: Take a look at why you want to take a calcium supplement how much you have to spend on the supplement how frequently youll have to purchase more the dosage physical size of the supplement and product form liquid, tablet, capsule, powder, etc. Do your research to see what clinical studies, guarantees, certifications and measures for clean, ethical sourcing the company has.
Vitamin D Supplements Could Ease Painful Ibs Symptoms
- New research finds high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in IBS patients â regardless of their ethnicity
- Vitamin D supplements could help to ease IBS symptoms such as bloating, stomach cramps and constipation
- IBS is a condition which affects two in 10 people in the UK
Vitamin D supplements could help to ease painful Irritable Bowel Syndrome symptoms, a new study from the University of Sheffield has found.
Scientists from the Universityâs Department of Oncology and Metabolism reviewed and integrated all available research on vitamin D and IBS â a condition which affects two in 10 people in the UK.
The study showed a high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in IBS patients â regardless of their ethnicity.
The Sheffield team also assessed the possible benefits of vitamin D supplements on IBS symptoms. Whilst they believe more research still needs to be conducted, their findings suggested supplements may help to ease symptoms which can include abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhoea and constipation. Vitamin D was shown to have the most benefit on quality of life in IBS.
Lead author of the study, Dr Bernard Corfe, said: âThe study provides an insight into the condition and, importantly, a new way to try to manage it.
âIt is evident from the findings that all people with IBS should have their vitamin D levels tested and a large majority of them would benefit from supplements.
The new study is published today in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition.
Recommended Reading: Medical Name For Stomach
Constipation Is A Risk
As with all things concerning your health, you have to weigh the benefits of vitamin D supplementation against the risks. Constipation doesnt merely cause discomfort and inconvenience, it carries health risks. Long-standing constipation may predispose you to colorectal cancer, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. On the other hand, if you have a history or family history of cardiovascular disease, it may be important to supplement your diet with vitamin D. The severity of your constipation can be controlled by various means.
- As with all things concerning your health, you have to weigh the benefits of vitamin D supplementation against the risks.
- On the other hand, if you have a history or family history of cardiovascular disease, it may be important to supplement your diet with vitamin D. The severity of your constipation can be controlled by various means.
What Are The Signs And Symptoms Of Vitamin D Deficiency
Severe lack of vitamin D causes rickets, which shows up in children as incorrect growth patterns, weakness in muscles, pain in bones and deformities in joints. This is very rare. However, children who are deficient in vitamin D can also have muscle weakness or sore and painful muscles.
Lack of vitamin D is not quite as obvious in adults. Signs and symptoms might include:
- Fatigue.
Dont Miss: Does Pickle Juice Help Heartburn
Also Check: Diarrhea For A Week Pregnant
Advice For Adults And Children Over 4 Years Old
During the autumn and winter, you need to get vitamin D from your diet because the sun is not strong enough for the body to make vitamin D.
But since it’s difficult for people to get enough vitamin D from food alone, everyone should consider taking a daily supplement containing 10 micrograms of vitamin D during the autumn and winter.
Between late March/early April to the end of September, most people can make all the vitamin D they need through sunlight on their skin and from a balanced diet.
You may choose not to take a vitamin D supplement during these months.
What Does Sunlight Have To Do With Getting Enough Vitamin D
There are health benefits of sunlight. Vitamin D is produced when your skin is exposed to sunshine, or rather, the ultraviolet B radiation that the sun emits. The amount of vitamin D that your skin makes depends on such factors as:
- The season: This factor depends a bit on where you live. In areas such as Cleveland, OH, the UV-B light does not reach the earth for six months out of the year due to the ozone layer and the zenith of the sun.
- The time of day: The suns rays are most powerful between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.
- The amount of cloud cover and air pollution.
- Where you live: Cities near the equator have higher ultraviolet light levels. It is the UV-B light in sunlight that causes your skin to make vitamin D.
- The melanin content of your skin: Melanin is a brown-black pigment in the eyes, hair and skin. Melanin causes skin to tan. The darker your skin, the more sun exposure is needed in order to get sufficient vitamin D from the sun.
Don’t Miss: How Long Does Ibs Flare Ups Last
What Causes Vitamin D Toxicity
Vitamin D toxicity is almost always the result of excess supplementation. Because your body regulates vitamin D production, you are unlikely to develop it as a result of sun exposure . Foods generally do not contain large amounts of vitamin D, so getting an excessive amount in your diet is unlikely.
People may begin taking vitamin D supplements in order to address a deficiency or to help relieve symptoms of things like seasonal affective disorder or depression. The problem is that they may go overboard or think that taking more will produce more beneficial effects.
Include Essential Oils In The Diet
Essential oils come with their own sets of benefits. Most importantly these oils play an important role in maintaining and supporting a very healthy digestive system. Using pure, therapeutic grade essential oils is recommended for treating constipation. Some oils in this category include tarragon oil, ginger oil, peppermint oil, fennel oil, anise seed oil etc.
Read Also: How Long To Take Align Probiotic
Good Sources Of Vitamin D
From about late March/early April to the end of September, most people should be able to make all the vitamin D they need from sunlight.
The body creates vitamin D from direct sunlight on the skin when outdoors.
But between October and early March we do not make enough vitamin D from sunlight. Read more about vitamin D and sunlight.
Vitamin D is also found in a small number of foods.
- fortified foods such as some fat spreads and breakfast cereals
Another source of vitamin D is dietary supplements.
In the UK, cows’ milk is generally not a good source of vitamin D because it is not fortified, as it is in some other countries.
Are Vitamin D Supplements Safe
Vitamin D supplements are safe when used as directed by your doctor. The safest vitamin D supplements carry the USP verification seal, which means the supplements have been tested for safety and efficacy by the United States Pharmacopeia Convention. Some vitamin D supplements have been found to carry up to 180 percent more vitamin D than their labels specify, but those with the USP seal on them have the most accurate amounts that match up with their labels.
Choose vitamin D supplements that come in liquid, powder, or gel-cap form, since these forms allow for the best absorption. Solid-colored coated pills may be more difficult for your stomach to break down, and may result in less vitamin D absorption.
Recommended Reading: Can Bananas Make You Gassy
Watch The Simple Carbs
Do you ever wonder how a party-size bag of chips affects your digestive system? Well, for one thing, it wreaks havoc on your bowel movements the next day. As a more effective constipation treatment, instead try adding vegetables, complex grains, and good fatsmonounsaturated and polyunsaturatedto your diet. According to WebMD, the good fats in olive oil help coat the intestine, making it easier for food to move through. Try these home remedies for constipation relief.
Can Vitamin D Cause Constipation
Vitamin D, also referred to as the Sunshine Vitamin is one of the essential vitamins required for overall body health. It plays important roles in the body which include it absorbs calcium in the intestines and also controls the amount of calcium needed in your body. Therefore, it is essential in forming, strengthening, and maintaining your bones. Also, it helps in muscle, lung, and heart functioning.
Vitamin D can be naturally produced by the body from sun exposure and can also be consumed in supplements or foods. The main food sources includes salmon, milk, mackerel, cod liver oil, mushrooms, beef liver, yoghurt, and orange juice among other foods. However, it should be noted that even though the sun stimulates our bodies to produce vitamin D, over-exposure to the sun can cause premature aging of your skin and in other cases skin cancer.
Don’t Miss: Does Cream Of Wheat Help You Poop
What Other Factors Can Lead To Vitamin D Deficiency
- Age: The skins ability to make vitamin D lessens with age.
- Mobility: People who are homebound or are rarely outside are not able to use sun exposure as a source of vitamin D.
- Skin color: Dark-colored skin is less able to make vitamin D than fair-colored skin.
- Human breast milk: A womans breast milk only contains a small amount of vitamin D. Often infant formulas also only include a small amount of D also. Therefore infants are at risk of not receiving enough vitamin D. This is especially true for infants who are only fed breast milk.
Vitamin D Is Essential
Your body needs vitamin D for a number of reasons. Vitamin D plays an essential role in absorbing calcium in the intestines and controlling the amount of calcium in your blood. This means vitamin D has the job of forming, maintaining and strengthening your bones. The main food sources of vitamin D include mackerel, salmon, cod liver oil, tuna and milk, dairy and orange juice fortified with D. The rest of what you need comes from the sun or supplementation. The sun stimulates the body to make vitamin D, but as over-exposure to it has caused skin cancer and premature aging of the skin, you may avoid spending time outdoors.
- Your body needs vitamin D for a number of reasons.
- The main food sources of vitamin D include mackerel, salmon, cod liver oil, tuna and milk, dairy and orange juice fortified with D. The rest of what you need comes from the sun or supplementation.
Don’t Miss: Can Bananas Cause Gas
Importance Of Vitamin D
Having adequate vitamin D in the body is very important for various reasons, a few benefits of vitamin D include
Vitamin D also plays a major role in protecting the body against various health conditions such as multiple sclerosis, cancer, osteoporosis, dementia, and type 1 diabetes. It also aids in regulating insulin levels in diabetes management.
How Much Vitamin D Do You Need
The recommended daily intake for vitamin D is around 600 IUs . However, many health experts are now suggesting taking much more. In fact, some researchers recommend as much as 8,000 IUs!
One way to calculate your own ideal vitamin D intake is to take 1,000 IUs per 25 pounds of body weight, but not more than 10,000. For instance, if you weigh 150 pounds, you can benefit from taking 6,000 IUs. A typical multivitamin wont provide this amount of vitamin D, so read labels carefully. Our vitamin D supplements contain 5,000 IUs, which is enough to maintain optimal blood levels for most people.
Don’t Miss: Klonopin Ibs
May Lead To Digestive Issues
Increased levels of vitamin D and calcium in the body can contribute to several digestive issues like stomach pain, constipation and diarrhea. These can be the signs of other health issues as well, therefore it is important to inform your doctor if you are taking any supplements.
Also read: Vitamin D Deficiency: Here’s How You Can Maintain Vitamin D Levels At Home
Questionnaires For The Evaluation Of Quality Of Life In Patients With Intestinal Motility Disorders
The IBS-QOL questionnaire is a 34-item tool validated to quantify quality of life in non-subtyped IBS patients, but also used to assess the severity of IBS-like symptoms, and psychological factors. The SF-12 includes a subset of 12 items, used to assess the physical and mental health domain in many diseases. All these scores are converted into a standardized 0-100 score. Higher scores indicate a better self-reported health status. Furthermore, the HADS-14 represents a global measure of psychological distress and includes 14 items, 7 of them evaluate anxiety symptoms, and 7 depressive ones. Each item is coded from 0 to 3. The total scores for anxiety and depression can range between 0-21, based on symptoms characteristics.
Read Also: Probiotics Pearls Side Effects
Does Vitamin D Help With Ibs
Vitamin DHelpIrritable Bowel Syndromevitamin DIBSvitamin
. People also ask, can vitamin D affect your bowel movements?
In some cases of vitamin D overdose, toilet habits can be affected, says Dr Andrew Thornber, chief medical officer at Now Patient. These changes can include diarrhoea, constipation and frequent urination. Too much vitamin D can also affect blood and calcium levels.
Subsequently, question is, does vitamin D help with acid reflux? Natural supplements to help fight heartburn and acid refluxVitamin D: Vitamin D is important for addressing any infectious component. Higher folic acid intake was found to reduce acid reflux by approximately 40 percent. Low vitamin B2 and B6 levels were also linked to an increased risk for acid reflux.
Then, what vitamin helps with IBS?
Other supplements you may like to consider for IBS include:
- Folic Acid: Many people with IBS are low in folic acid, which is thought to be very good for general bowel health.
- Vitamin B12: Many people with IBS are deficient in iron, which Vitamin B12 helps the body to absorb.
Does Vitamin D give you energy?
Vitamin D proven to boost energy from within the cellsA hormone normally produced in the skin using energy from sunlight, Vitamin D can also be found in a few foods including fish, fish liver oils, egg yolks and fortified cereals but it can also be effectively boosted with Vitamin D supplements.
How Often Do You Need To Get Your Vitamin D Levels Checked
Doctors do not usually order routine checks of vitamin D levels, but they might need to check your levels if you have certain medical conditions or risk factors for vitamin D deficiency. Sometimes vitamin D levels can be checked as a cause of symptoms such as long-lasting body aches, a history of falls or bone fractures without significant trauma.
Recommended Reading: Align Probiotic Dosage