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Vitamin D Deficiency- What causes it? What are the symptoms? What diseases are caused by it? www.thehealthnutmama.com

Vitamin D Deficiency

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Last Updated on June 4, 2022 by Renee’

Vitamin D is called the Sunshine Vitamin? That is because our best source of Vitamin D is sun exposure. It is the feel-good vitamin!

Vitamin D Deficiency- What causes it? What are the symptoms? What diseases are caused by it? www.thehealthnutmama.com

 

Did You Know this about Vitamin D?

  • Did you know that it is hard to get Vitamin D from most foods? This is due to we only have a small amount of Vitamin D rich foods to choose from unless they are fortified.
  • Did you know that most Americans are deficient in Vitamin D? Over 95 percent of senior citizens in the US may possibly be deficient, along with 85 percent of Americans.

 

  • Vitamin D Deficiency- What causes it? What are the symptoms? What diseases are caused by it? www.thehealthnutmama.comDid you know that having healthy Vitamin D levels reduce the risk of cancer such as breast cancer, colon cancer & other forms of cancer by up to 80%?
  • Did you know that about the same amount of people have undiagnosed Magnesium Deficiencies as do people with Vitamin D Deficiencies?  Unfortunately, testing blood Magnesium Levels are pretty much worthless because they can’t tell you if you really are magnesium deficient! Magnesium is stored in the bones, not in the blood.
  • Did you know that you should take Vitamin D3 at the same time as Magnesium in order for both to be absorbed properly? It is equally important to take Calcium, & Vitamin K2  at the same time too, as all of these work together.
  • Did you know that low levels of Vitamin D can also interfere with proper testosterone and estrogen production?

 

What can happen if you are Severely Vitamin D Deficient?

Children with severe Vitamin D Deficiency can cause them to get bowed legs, and sometimes arms. This is characteristic of the soft bone disease known as Rickets.

Adults with severe Vitamin D Deficiency causes a disease called Osteomalacia and can be a precursor to Osteoporosis. Osteomalacia is similar to rickets, as it is a softening of the bones, but it doesn’t lead to bowed legs as it does in children. Instead, it leads to bone and muscle pain and weakness. And due to this common complaint, doctors oftentimes misdiagnose as early signs of fibromyalgia.

These are just a few reasons why Vitamin D is so important to your health!

 

Causes of Vitamin D Deficiency?


Vitamin D Deficiency- What causes it? What are the symptoms? What diseases are caused by it? www.thehealthnutmama.com

 

  • Not enough sun exposure due to working/being indoors more
  • Living in the northern hemisphere/not as many daylight hours in the day
  • Being told sun exposure is bad & use of sunscreen
  • People with darker skin
  • Showering immediately after sun exposure (can take up to 48 hrs to absorb into the bloodstream)
  • People over 50 don’t make as much & their kidneys don’t convert as much
  • Overweight/Obesity or higher weight due to High Muscle Mass

Symptoms of Vitamin D Deficiency:


Vitamin D Deficiency- What causes it? What are the symptoms? What diseases are caused by it? www.thehealthnutmama.com

 

  • High Cholesterol Levels
  • Blood Pressure Issues
  • Neurological Issues
  • Kidney Issues
  • Reproductive Issues
  • Muscle Weakness
  • Obesity/Overweight
  • Skin Issues
  • Cavities & Periodontal Disease
  • DepressionVitamin D Deficiency- What causes it? What are the symptoms? What diseases are caused by it? www.thehealthnutmama.com
  • Head Sweating
  • Achy Bones
  • Gut Issues
  • Chronic Allergies
  • Chronic Health Problems
  • Fatigue
  • Cold & Flu
  • Thyroid Issues
  • Infections

Diseases Associated with Vitamin D Deficiency:


Vitamin D Deficiency- What causes it? What are the symptoms? What diseases are caused by it? www.thehealthnutmama.com

  • Diabetes
  • Osteoporosis
  • Rheumatoid Arthritis
  • Inflammatory Bowel Disease
  • Multiple Sclerosis
  • Autism
  • Cardiovascular Disease
  • Congestive Heart Failure
  • Macular Degeneration
  • Dry Eye Syndrome
  • Asthma
  • Autoimmune Diseases
  • Dementia
  • High Blood Pressure
  • Psoriasis

Vitamin D Deficiency- What causes it? What are the symptoms? What diseases are caused by it? www.thehealthnutmama.com

  • Cancer
  • Fibromyalgia
  • Celiacs
  • Hashimoto’s
  • ADHD

Natural Sources of Vitamin D

  •  

Vitamin D Deficiency- What causes it? What are the symptoms? What diseases are caused by it? www.thehealthnutmama.com

 

Vitamin D Deficiency- What causes it? What are the symptoms? What diseases are caused by it? www.thehealthnutmama.com

  • Mackerel
  • Eel
  • Wild Caught Tuna
  • Sardines
  • Rainbow Trout
  • Swordfish
  • Raw Milk
  • Pastured Eggs
  • Caviar
  • Mushrooms

 

What Supplements to Take?

Vitamin D Deficiency- What causes it? What are the symptoms? What diseases are caused by it? www.thehealthnutmama.com

D2 vs D3

The type of Vitamin D our body naturally makes is called cholecalciferol, which is Vitamin D3. This is the form that is best absorbed by our body.

Unfortunately, most Vitamin D fortified foods and dietary supplements mostly contain ergocalciferol, which is a type of Vitamin D2 which is not as absorbable, or as convertible by the body.

The only way to know if you are deficient in Vitamin D is to ask your doctor to perform a blood test. You want to be in the higher end of the normal range to be optimal. 

Here are the numbers to keep in mind:

  • 50>  a good level of Vitamin D
  • 30-50 spend more time in the sun, supplement with Vitamin D & add Vitamin D-rich foods to your diet
  • <30 very deficient; you need to take immediate action to bring those levels up!

The RDA for Vitamin D is 600 IU a day for adults. If you are at a good level this is probably fine. It is thought that most Americans need at least 5000 IU’s per day.

This is what I personally take. In the winter months, I take 10,000 IU’s per day & in the summer since I’m in the sun more I don’t need as much so I take 5000 IU’s per day.

Just make sure to have your levels checked.

My daughter just had hers tested recently & is very deficient & she was with taking 2000 IU’s per day. She is taking 10,000 IU’s per day now & will be checked again in a few weeks.

Update: Now during the Covid 19 pandemic I am taking 10,000 IU’s per day along with Zinc, Vitamin C & Quercetin. This is also important during the Flu Season too!

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Did you know that Vitamin D Deficiency is linked to Autoimmune Diseases such as Hypothyroid Hashimotos, Rheumatoid Arthritis & Celiacs? Also ADHD, Autism, Diabetes, Cancer, Osteoporosis, Leaky Gut & more. Up to 90% of people have it! #vitaminddeficiency #vitamind #deficiency #vitamin #autoimmunedisease #aip #autoimmune #diabetes #rheumatoidarthritis #osteoporosis #ms #ADHD #autisim #celiacs #thyroid #hashimotos #leakygut #thehealthnutmama www.thehealthnutmama.com

 

Other Vitamin / Mineral Deficiencies

Learn more about other deficiencies such as:

 


 

*NO information on this site should be used to diagnose, treat, prevent, or cure any disease or condition.

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16 comments

  1. Maya says:

    The Vit D is very important !
    Last May I got sick and the neurologist diagnosed me with MS and told me that I have to start meds immediately I asked him about Vit D and MS connection .
    He said that he never heard about it !!!!
    Interesting so I started taking a very high dose now I am down to 50 000 iu per day and no symptoms!!!!
    It is been a year now and doing better than normal people.
    Please note that high dose of Vit D needs to be supervised and no Calcium intake at all because of kidney stones and minimum 2.5 l water per day.
    There is a brasil neurologist who developed a high dose of Vit D protocol for MS and autoimmune diseases and this is what I am following with bloodwork every 3 months and taking supporting supplements .

    • Renee' says:

      Wow, Maya! Thanks for sharing your story. It’s amazing how doctors are not educated in basic nutrition & vitamin deficiency. I’m so glad you educated yourself & healed naturally & so simple with no pharmaceuticals. What an amazing story. Thank you for sharing!

  2. Silvia says:

    Hi Renee, please help!!

    I have deficiency of vitamin D. Went to the dr. To check my blood work results and it was 19 . He prescribed me 50,000 IU of vitamin D once a week for one month until I go back to see him, but no magnesium or any other supplement. My previous dr. Diagnosed me with fibromyalgia, now I also have high blood pressure. Please help I don’t know what to do.

    • Jen says:

      I am going through the same exact issue but without high blood pressure what was the outcome is it just a vitamin deficiency or is it fibromyalgia too. I honestly don’t think I have fibro so i am very confused on what to do as well.

  3. Susan says:

    Hi. Six months ago my blood work showed that my Vitamin D level was borderline. I started to take 5000 IU of Vitamin D a day. Last month I passed a kidney stone for the very first time. I am 52 years old. Do you think there is a connection? I have stopped taking the Vitamin D for fear of another kidney stone.

  4. Jamie says:

    Hi Renee – My name is Jamie Logan. I just got my blood work back. My D3 (25 Hydroxy) was 39.7. I currently take 2000 IU D3 with K2 daily. I am going to increase to 5000 IU. How much magnesium is needed to help with absorption? What is the D3/Magnesium ratio?

    • Renee' says:

      Hi Jamie, I have not been able to find a set ratio for D3/Magesium. From everything I have read You need to take enough to get to the loose stool stage, then back off until you are normal. I take around 500-600 mg. daily depending on my diet. I have been severely deficient for some time. My body just doesn’t absorb like it should. I’m glad you are taking K2. That is very important for the D3 absorption as well. The RDA for women is 310-320 mg. for magnesium. I would start there & adjust as needed. Also, calcium should be 1:1 ratio with magnesium. Americans tend to get more of 3:1 ratio. K2 should be around 180 to 200 micrograms. There is not a set amount on K2 but that seems to be what works the best according to Dr. Joseph Mercola. I hope this helps.

  5. Alyson says:

    Hey, I was born in northern Illinois ,moved to NE Oklahoma as a small child . I started Multiple Sclerosis symptoms at the age of 26 diagnosed a year later. With relapsing remitting MS. 9 years later ,after I started taking Vitamin D3 I developed fibromyalgia. The MS has taken a back seat. But the Fibro has taken over . And I must take 100,00 IU’s of vitamin D3 prescription strength weekly . Or my levels are depleted . No matter what I do about it.

    • Renee' says:

      Alyson, Thanks for your comment. Wow! That in itself shows you how important Vitamin D3 is. Have you had a vitamin deficiency test done? I just had one done recently & was shocked at how many I was still deficient in, even after 3 years of eating a healing diet. My body still isn’t absorbing the vitamins that my body needs. I just had my daughters bloodwork done this week. I’m waiting on results now. Are you taking magnesium too? Also, if you haven’t done so, read a book by Dr. Terry Wahls. She cured her MS with diet. Here is a link to her book. http://amzn.to/2gW1ISW Here is a link to her video testimony. https://youtu.be/n_qlcmhcD1Q . Are you on any kind of diet to manage?

      • Ericka javier says:

        Hi ?? I have vitamin D deficiency, i just have the blood work done and the results is the vitamin D level is 22 and vitamin B12 is low too ;( , and i have fibromyalgia for five years , chiary and siringomelia and also i just had diagnostic with ulcers in my colon.
        Any suggestions please ? . I will appreciate .

        • Renee' says:

          Hi Ericka, I cannot give medical advice but can only recommend. Definitely, consult with your doctor or preferably naturopath doctor. My daughter was vitamin D deficient, hers was 27. That was while taking 2000 mg. of vitamin D3. I have increased her to 5000 mg. & will have her retested soon. I take 5000 mg. daily as a maintenance dose. The best way to get Vitamin D is naturally. Get out in the sunshine for 20 a day if possible. I also take a Vitamin B complex with an additional B1 & B12. I just had my vitamin deficiency test done & I have to supplement more. Are you under a physicians care? If not, I would highly suggest seeing a naturopath doctor. They treat the root cause of your problem, not just the symptoms. Have you tried going on the Paleo/AIP diet? You might benefit by doing so. It’s a very nutrient dense diet. Read more about them here & here.

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