{"id":14474,"date":"2020-03-30T04:38:46","date_gmt":"2020-03-30T04:38:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/?p=14474"},"modified":"2021-05-06T18:51:47","modified_gmt":"2021-05-06T18:51:47","slug":"14-common-causes-of-low-vitamin-d-levels","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/14-common-causes-of-low-vitamin-d-levels\/","title":{"rendered":"14 Common Causes of Low Vitamin D Levels"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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The sunshine vitamin or vitamin D is the vitamin that we get from simply being out in the sun. As with all vitamins, vitamin D is important, and recently it has been found that many people suffer from vitamin D insufficiency or deficiency. It is estimated that this affects over a billion people throughout the world. Low amounts of vitamin D may cause many types of health issues. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some of the health issues caused by a vitamin D deficiency include rickets, infections, cognitive and psychological disorders, obesity, heart disease, and some skeletal diseases such as osteoporosis, just to name a few. Unfortunately, correcting a vitamin D deficiency can be difficult as it is not as simple as just taking a supplement or spending more time in the sun. Read on to learn more about some of the more common causes of low vitamin D levels. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Spending Less Time Outside<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Work, school, and other social obligations are causing people to spend more time indoors. When you are not going outside often, you are not being exposed to sunlight. As mentioned, our bodies get natural vitamin D<\/a> from the sun. When the skin is exposed to the sun, it will trigger the body to make vitamin D from cholesterol. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you are cooped up inside or live in an area that does not get much sun throughout the year, there is a higher chance of having lower vitamin D levels and possibly becoming vitamin D deficient. If you work in an indoor setting, try going outside for a few minutes on your breaks. If you live in a place where there is little to no sunlight, make sure that you are going outside when the sun does shine. This can help improve your vitamin D levels and lower your risk of developing some of the health issues associated with low vitamin D. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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2. Using Sunblock<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

People who live in areas that have a lot of sunshine may also be at risk for developing low vitamin D levels. The reason for this is simple, the use of sunblock. It is important to use sunblock when you plan on being out in the sun for long periods. The sun does produce rays that can be harmful to the skin and may cause skin cancer to develop. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, if you are only going to be out for a short amount of time, skipping sunblock can help your body produce vitamin D. This is important as your body needs this essential vitamin to function properly. Of course, you should wear sunblock when you are outside and if you are at high risk of getting a sunburn<\/a>. However, giving your bare skin a few minutes in the sun each day can go a long way when it comes to reducing your risk of vitamin D deficiency.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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3. Diet<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The foods that you eat also contain vitamin D. Unfortunately, many people following a typical western diet <\/a>are not getting enough vitamin D in their daily nutrition plan. Some foods that have high amounts of vitamin D include egg yolks, fish oil, fish, liver, dairy, and some fortified grain products. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you are vegan and do not eat a lot of these foods because of your dietary restrictions, you may be more likely to suffer from low vitamin D. Additionally, those who are lactose intolerant or suffer from a dairy allergy of any kind, may also find that their diet does not contain enough vitamin D. Changing your diet can help in many ways. Foods that are high in vitamin D are also typically high in other vitamins and nutrients your body requires to perform at its optimal levels. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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4. Skin Color<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

One aspect of your life that you cannot change, but might be a cause of having low vitamin D levels is the color of your skin. If you have darker colored skin, you may need to get at least ten times much exposure to the sun to produce the same amounts of vitamin D as a person who has lighter skin does. The reason for this is because the pigment of the skin works as a natural sunscreen. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you have more pigment in your skin<\/a>, you may need to spend more time in the sun to make adequate amounts of vitamin D. If you do have darker skin, one of the ways to make up the difference in vitamin D levels is to make sure that you are eating a healthy diet that includes foods that are high in vitamin D. This can help your body get the amounts of the vitamin that it needs to avoid some of the health issues that may come from a vitamin D deficiency.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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5. Malabsorption<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Unfortunately, even people who eat a healthy diet that includes foods that are rich in vitamin D may suffer from vitamin D deficiency. This may be because of malabsorption. Malabsorption <\/a>occurs when the intestines have trouble absorbing vitamin D that is naturally found in many healthy food choices. Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin. If you suffer from any type of gastrointestinal issue, your body may struggle to absorb fat. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When your body struggles to absorb fat, it can also struggle with absorbing vitamin D. Some conditions that may cause a person to struggle with absorbing fat as well as other vitamins include inflammatory bowel disease, cystic fibrosis, and celiac disease. If you have one of these conditions or any other condition that affects your ability to absorb fat, there is a good chance that you might develop low vitamin D levels as well. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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6. Obesity<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Being overweight can cause many different health issues. High blood pressure<\/a>, high cholesterol, and heart disease are all common ailments that affect people who are overweight. Also, a person who is obese may struggle with low vitamin D levels. As mentioned, vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When a person is obese, the fat in a person’s body may bind to the vitamin D that they consume or that their body produces from being exposed to the sun. This binding to the fat in the body will prevent vitamin D from entering the bloodstream. For this reason, people who have a body mass index of more than 30 will often also have low blood levels of vitamin D. People who are obese will need to take in a greater amount of vitamin D than a thinner person. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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6. Age<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Another common cause of low vitamin D levels is age. This is not something that you can do anything about as everyone is going to get older. However, as you get older, there are some things that you can do to prevent low levels of vitamin D. One of those things is to make sure that you are still getting outside for periods. One of the reasons that older people tend to have lower levels of vitamin D is simply because they start spending more time inside. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even if you are still going outside, the skin will not produce as much vitamin D as it did when you were younger. However, it is important to spend time at least outside when you can, as your body will still produce the vitamin, just in lower amounts. Another issue that may arise as you age <\/a>is that the kidneys might struggle to convert vitamin D into an active form that the body can use.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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7. Medications<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Some medications <\/a>might cause a person to develop low vitamin D levels. These medications may enhance the breakdown of vitamin D in the body. Some of the medications that might cause a person to develop low vitamin D levels include anticonvulsants, antifungal medications, glucocorticoids, and medications that are used in the treatment of human immunodeficiency virus and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you have been diagnosed with HIV or AIDs, and you are taking medications to treat these diseases, there is a chance that your vitamin D levels are going to become low as well. For this reason, it is important to maintain a healthy diet and to go outside as much as possible to keep your vitamin D at healthy levels. If you are using other medications that might cause low vitamin D levels, make sure to discuss this with your doctor. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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8. Kidney Issues<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If you suffer from chronic kidney <\/a>disease, you may also suffer from low vitamin D levels. The kidneys are a vital organ of the body. The main kidneys function is filtration, which includes flushing toxins from the body. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also, the kidneys are responsible for converting vitamins and minerals into their active form. When the kidneys are not functioning properly, they will struggle to convert vitamins such as vitamin D into an active form for the body to use. When vitamin D that is being created by the body or consumed through foods is not properly converted into its active form by the kidneys, it increases your risk of a vitamin D deficiency. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Keeping your kidneys healthy is important for your health overall. If you have any type of issue with your kidney, it is a good idea to discuss your vitamin D levels with your doctor as well because there is a good chance that they will below. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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9. Fatigue <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Fatigue <\/a>is not the same as just being tired. However, many people dismiss the feelings of fatigue as just not getting enough sleep or having too much stress. One of the main symptoms a person may experience if they do not get enough vitamin D is feelings of fatigue. The reason for this is because vitamin D plays an important role when it comes to creating energy for the body. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When you are feeling tired, you may be less likely to go outside, not going outside can further enhance the issues of fatigue as you will not be getting any vitamin D when you stay indoors. If you notice that you are feeling more tired than usual, try getting outside for at least a little bit. This can help your body create vitamin D, which in turn may also help to alleviate your tiredness. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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10. Primary Hyperparathyroidism<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When it comes to diseases that affect levels of vitamin D, primary hyperparathyroidism <\/a>may be the root cause. This condition affects the glands that are located near the thyroid in the neck. This disease will start in the parathyroid glands and does not result from another health issue, such as kidney failure. People who are diagnosed with hyperparathyroidism may also experience lower levels of vitamin D. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The reason for this is when the parathyroid glands become overactive, it can be harder for the body to create and use vitamin D. Another issue that results from this disorder is too much calcium in the blood. When there is too much calcium in the blood, you may also have other health issues, such as the development of kidney stones or the thinning of the bones. It is important to catch this disorder early before other, more problematic health issues arise. A routine blood test will be able to reveal primary hyperparathyroidism, which is why it is important to have yearly check-ups. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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11. Bone Pain<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When it comes to the health of your bones, the chances are that the first vitamin or mineral that you think about is calcium. However, what you may not realize is that for the body to absorb calcium <\/a>properly, vitamin D is needed. If you have a low amount of vitamin D in your blood, there is a good chance that you will experience pain in your bones. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bone pain is often a symptom of low vitamin D as your body will not be able to absorb proper amounts of calcium to help keep your bones strong. People who have an insufficient amount of vitamin D may experience symptoms of arthritis and osteoporosis. This may cause pain in the ribs, leg bones, or in any of their joints. If you are experiencing bone pain, you will want to discuss it with your doctor. There is a chance that you have low vitamin D levels, which are causing you to experience this type of pain. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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12. Hypertension<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Hypertension <\/a>or high blood pressure can cause many serious health issues. If you are overweight, the chances are that you also have high blood pressure. The reason for this is because the extra weight you are carrying puts extra strain on your blood vessels as they are trying to get blood through your body. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition to hypertension causing several other health issues, it may also result in low levels of vitamin D. If you suffer from hypertension, it is important to make sure that you are eating a healthy diet that is low in saturated fats and high in vitamins and nutrients. Choosing foods that are higher in vitamin D can also help to alleviate some of the symptoms and associated risks of hypertension. Make sure that you talk to your doctor about what you need to do to get your blood pressure under control. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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13. Bad Mood<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Sometimes you just have a bad day. Other times, you just can’t seem to shake a feeling of unpleasantness or crankiness. When you suffer from depression or just not feeling happy at all, it can be a sign that you have low vitamin D levels. Vitamin D can affect the levels of serotonin in the brain. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Serotonin <\/a>is responsible for how you feel. If you are not producing enough serotonin, the chances are that you are going to feel bad. Vitamin D helps to keep your moods in check by making sure that your brain gets the chemicals that it needs to stay focused and energized. If you are feeling depressed or cranky, it is a good idea to consider having some blood work done. Likely, you are not getting enough vitamin D, which might just be the underlying cause of your crankiness.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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14. Respiratory Problems<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

People who suffer from constant respiratory issues may also have low amounts of vitamin D. Some studies have shown that vitamin D may be important when it comes to fighting off respiratory diseases. This is especially true among children. If your child has asthma <\/a>or other respiratory issues, increasing the amount of vitamin D that they get may help alleviate some of these symptoms. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Respiratory issues will present in different ways. Some people may simply be winded after completing a somewhat simple task. Others may not be able to catch their breath for a long period. If you are suffering from any type of breathing issue, it is important to make sure that you talk to your doctor right away to determine the underlying cause of these respiratory issues. It may be something as simple as a vitamin D deficiency that is causing the issue, or it could be something even more serious. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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