Vitamin D deficiency is a common deficiency in many parts of the world, the further you live from the Equator the bigger the deficiency. It can cause many illnesses which you may not connect to this deficiency. Even if you get daily sunshine, your body might not be able to absorb Vitamin D easily. The darker your skin tone the less you absorb because darker skin blocks out ultraviolet rays from the sun. It is also said that the more body fat one has the less you absorb. You could live in a culture where your skin is covered by clothing so much that you do not get to absorb vitamin D from the sun, all of these issues could cause immune disorders. Vitamin D is essential for immune function.

Where can Vitamin D be found?

In oily fish, (not hake for example), egg yolks, cheese and milk products. Not many foods that contain Vitamin D.

Deficiencies can cause bone pain, muscle weakness and even mood swings. I may increase your risk of developing fractures and osteoporosis. It is essential for helping your body absorb minerals like calcium and phosphorus. Its not easy to obtain it through foods as there are not many foods with Vitamin D in them.

What are the signs and symptoms of Vitamin D Deficiency?

1. Weakened Immune System - the sun converts Cholesterol into Vitamin D when our skin is exposed to ultraviolet rays. However many don't get enough sunshine D and Sunscreen blocks this process as well. In addition - Older adults a tendency to lack of Vitamin D as they may have less ability to synthesis Vitamin D in response to sun exposure. Age can be a factor. One can experience a slow recovery to illnesses due to the deficiency as a result of weakened immune system
2. Mood swings - Vitamin D is a steroid hormone that activates more than 200 genes in the body. This is a very import NOTE. Hormones that affect brain and heart health - which affect messages to the other organs. Mood could very well improve for women with hormone changes monthly. In cold winter months, in countries where the sun is lacking in winter months - depression can set in due to this Deficiency.
3. Low Energy - this can be cause by many issues however Vitamin D Deficiency can contribute to this symptom. It affects bones, muscles and fatigue or extreme exhaustion where one has auto immune disease.
4. Weakened bones - one needs sufficient Vitamin D, Magnesium, Calcium and Vitamin K is necessary for healthy bones. Vitamin D assists the body helps the absorption of calcium from the intestine, which is used to produce strong bones and teeth. When there is a lack of Vitamin D, your body cannot absorb enough calcium from food or supplements and it then pulls calcium from the bones causing weakening of bones and brittle bones. Osteoporosis, broken bones, and sometimes rickets in rare cases.
5. Dry Skin - you may have rough or scaly texture on skin, which seems like dandruff or eczema, it may itch. Psoriasis may be from lack of Vitamin D. It also Ichthyosis, which is a skin disorder which causes dry scaly skin - typically common in younger people. Vitamin D provides extra moisture which would relieve these symptoms
6. Muscle spasms and weakness. Vitamin D has been linked to Multiple Sclerosis which affects the brain and spinal cord causing nerve damage. MS is strongly tied to muscle weakness and even pain. The connect was made 1976 when Danish researches discovered people living in higher latitudes were more likely to develop Multiple Sclerosis and the connection was low sun exposure. To maintain healthy muscles Vitamin D is important but together with Calcium, Vitamin K and Magnesium for this Vitamin to be absorbed sufficiently.
7. Brittle Hair and Nails. Hair Follicles need Vitamin D to grow hair healthy. People deficient in D vitamins may find they have poor quality hair with breakage and thinning. There was a study published in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology found that women with low levels of Vitamin D were more likely to suffer from dry skin and brittle nails than there counterparts. It reduces levels of Keratin in skin and hair, so you could find you have brittle and dry hair. Other Vitamins for healthy hair is B vitamins, Vitamin C, Vitamin A and iron.
8. Poor Vision - it affections your eyes ability to respond to light changes. If you're deficient, your pupils may not constrict properly and can cause eyes to become sensitive to harsh light conditions. Even Macular Degeneration could improve with Vitamin D. Low Vitamin D could be cause of poor vision. 1 in 5 people were found to have poor vision because of low Vitamin D levels.
9. Mouth Ulcers - also known as Canker sores which can by on inside or outside of mouth. They can be painful, red, or white patches that from a few days to a few weeks.
10. Bleeding gums - its can caused by various things but Vitamin D helps producing new blood cells in the body and if you are deficient, you could develop Anemia which can cause bleeding gums when brushing or flossing teeth. However bleeding gums can be from medication or other reasons.

See our link to a good Vitamin D supplement which we only have in 90 capsules https://www.cannatural.co.za/product/vitamin-d3-30-caps/