An estimated one billion people worldwide, across all ethnicities and age groups, have vitamin D deficiency. This is mostly attributable to people getting less sun exposure because of climate, lifestyle and concerns about skin cancer.
Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that acts as a steroid hormone. The body makes vitamin D from cholesterol through a process triggered by the action of the sun’s ultraviolet rays on the skin. Factors such as skin colour, age, amount and time of sun exposure, and geographic location affect how much vitamin D the body makes, so here in Qatar we have less sun exposure due to the hot climate most of the year and we have high incidence of vitamin D deficiency among all age groups.
Vitamin D influences the bones, intestines, immune and cardiovascular systems, pancreas, muscles, brain, and the control of cell cycles. Its primary functions are to maintain normal blood concentrations of calcium and phosphorus and to support bone health. Recent studies say that vitamin D plays a role in the prevention of some diseases such as cancers especially colorectal cancers, Heart Disease, Fractures and falls, Autoimmune Diseases, Influenza and Type 2 Diabetes and Depression
Rickets and osteomalacia are the well-known diseases of severe vitamin D deficiency. Musculoskeletal pain and periodontal disease may also indicate a significant vitamin D deficiency. Subtle symptoms of milder deficiency include loss of appetite, diarrhea, insomnia, vision problems, and a burning sensation in the mouth and throat.
Risk factors for vitamin D deficiency include failing to get at least 15 minutes of direct sun exposure daily, being dark-skinned, being elderly, or being overweight or obese.
Only a few foods are a good source of vitamin D. These include fortified dairy products and breakfast cereals, fatty fish, beef liver, and egg yolks. Besides increasing sun exposure, the best way to get additional vitamin D is through supplementation.
Also toxicity can occur with vitamin D overdosing, symptoms include nausea, vomiting, constipation, headache, sleepiness, and weakness. Too much vitamin D can raise blood calcium concentrations, and acute toxicity causes hypercalcemia and hypercalciuria.
It is important to have vitamin D checking and to consult a physician who will prescribe you the proper dose of vitamin D Supplementation.
