Wednesday, February 13, 2008

Symptoms of Vitamin D Deficiency

By Fran Mullens

When vitamin D is severely deficient in diets it can cause osteomalacia in adults and rickets in children. Individuals suffering from lesser degrees of deficiency of this vitamin in their diet may suffer from a burning sensation in the mouth and throat, weight loss, loss of appetite, visual problems, diarrhea and insomnia.

It is normally found that individuals who suffer from nutrient deficiencies that it is usually a result of impaired absorption and utilization, increased excretion, dietary inadequacy, or increased requirement.

People that are candidates for symptoms of vitamin D deficiency are those who take below recommended levels of the vitamin, those who have limited sunlight exposure and those whose kidney cannot change the vitamin to its active hormone form. Also people at risk for a deficiency are those who cannot adequately absorb the vitamin from their digestive tract. In children severe vitamin D deficiency causes rickets. This is a bone disease where by bone tissue is not properly mineralized. This results in skeletal deformities and soft bones.

Rickets is most commonly caused from lack of sunlight or vitamin D deficient from the diet. It can also occur because of a combination of lack from both.

A reemergence of rickets has resulted in United States in recent years. Exclusive prolonged breastfeeding that does not include vitamin D supplication is believed to be a contributing factor to the reemergence of rickets. Another factor is increased use of day care less outdoor activity and sun exposure. Also extensive use of sunscreens could be contributing to the symptoms seen today in children with severe vitamin D deficiency.

For adults severe vitamin D deficiency may result in osteomalacia. In addition to weakened bones it also causes muscular weakness. Symptoms of vitamin D deficiency can be muscle weakness and bone pain. An accurate diagnosis is by measuring the concentration of a specific form of the vitamin in the blood because in the early stages the symptoms may be slight and go unnoticed.

Some antacids, cholesterol lowering drugs, steroid hormones, and mineral oil may interfere with vitamin D absorption. So can gallbladder and liver malfunctions and as well as intestinal disorders.

Toxicity can result from taking amounts of vitamin D over 65,000 IU (international units) over several years. This vitamin should not be taken without calcium.

The wide variety of symptoms of vitamin deficiency can be confusing. At http://www.healthyvitamininfo.com/ you can find information that can help you learn more about symptoms of vitamin deficiency and what you need to do to correct it.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Fran_Mullens

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