Vitamin D is critical to good health, but most people don't know what happens when your Vitamin D levels are low. Actually, the sad fact is that an alarming number of children in America are Vitamin D deficient as well as most adults.
Here is a list of what happens when your Vitamin D Levels are Low:
Vitamin Children
Bones and teeth cannot absorb and metabolize calcium and phosphorous which causes them to become soft, weak and brittle. You can develop Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) Children have a higher risk of developing rickets The immune system is weakened. You may have a higher risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis The risk of damage from low levels of radiation is increased You may have a higher risk of developing cancer. You may have more problems with weight control You may have more asthma symptoms You may have more high blood pressure readings You have an increased risk of falling
Studies have shown that Vitamin D can cut the risk of breast cancer by 24%. Imagine! And it's so easy to obtain this awesome vitamin. The sun gives it to us...FREE! Just spend a few minutes in the sunshine every day and you will be healthier.
Vitamin D is also found in several foods such as fish, eggs, milk and cod liver oil. It can also be supplemented daily into your diet.
What is Rickets?
Rickets is what happens when your Vitamin D levels are low. It results in skeletal deformities, muscular weakness and weak bones. This includes pain or tenderness in the spine, pelvis, legs or teeth. It can cause increased cavities in the teeth, increased bone fractures or bowlegs. In children, this is so important because their bones are rapidly growing. A Vitamin D deficiency can cause limbs to become bowed and the rib cage can become deformed as well. Low serum calcium levels can even cause seizures in severe cases.
It's important to supplement with Vitamin D when breastfeeding because mother's milk is typically low in Vitamin D. Infants should be given a Vitamin D supplement during this time and continue throughout their formative years.
Vitamin D is currently being studied for connections to various cancers, osteoporosis, diabetes, liver disease, high blood pressure, multiple sclerosis, cystic fibrosis, senile warts, seasonal affective disorder (SAD), tooth retention, muscle strength and weight gain.
If you don't spend enough time in the sunshine, it's so very easy to add a Vitamin D supplement to your diet. It comes in a tiny soft gel...inexpensive and easy to swallow.
Dosage varies depending on who you're listening to. Personally, I take a 1,000 IU soft gel daily. 500 IU would most likely be adequate under normal circumstances. Obviously if you have a Vitamin D related problem, it would require a much larger dose. Discuss your specific needs with a natural healthcare professional and always use your common sense when taking any medication or supplement.
Now that you know what happens when your Vitamin D levels are low, take that step toward health by making sure you maintain an adequate supply of Vitamin D...everyday!