Can
vitamin D deficiency cause fatigue? Yes. Vitamin D deficiency can cause fatigue.
Vitamin D deficiency has been linked to fatigue as well as other vague symptoms
such as migraine, muscle problems and loss of strength, anxiety, and cognitive
impairments performance.
The
media has recently focused on widespread reports of vitamin D deficiency.
According to studies, up to 40% of the US population is vitamin D deficient.
Surprisingly,
I, too, fall into the deficient category. If it can happen to a nurse and
wellness advocate like me, it can happen to anyone! Because the symptoms are
ambiguous, it frequently goes undiagnosed.
The
consequences of remaining undetected are shocking. Researchers are now
discovering that vitamin D plays an important role in the prevention and/or
progression of a variety of diseases and conditions, including:
- Stroke
- Diabetes
- Diabetes
- Obesity
- Depression
- Cancer
- Chronic
fatigue - Fibromyalgia
- Osteoporosis
- Heart
disease - Autoimmune
diseases
The Sunshine Vitamin
With
so many different vitamins, minerals, and nutrients, it can be difficult to
understand them all.
Read also: Hajdu says Vitamin-D COVID-19 protection is “fake news”
Vitamin
D is unique in that it is both a vitamin and a hormone. Vitamin D, also known
as the “Sunshine Vitamin,” is produced by the skin when it is directly
exposed to ultraviolet radiation from natural sunlight.
When
the sun’s rays pass through glass or while wearing sunscreen, this does not
occur.
Vitamin
D is found primarily in two forms: vitamin D2 or ergocalciferol (found in food)
and vitamin D3 or cholecalciferol (found in supplements) (generated by the
sun).
Muscles
require vitamin D to move, and nerves require it to communicate between the
brain and the body. This explains why deficiencies can cause muscle pain and
weakness, as well as nerve pain.
The Calcium-Vitamin D-Magnesium Connection
For
optimal absorption, a balance of vitamin D, calcium, and magnesium are required.
Magnesium
is required for the conversion of vitamin D into its active form in the blood.
If vitamin D is supplemented without magnesium, this can result in magnesium
deficiency.
Vitamin
D is necessary for strong bones because it aids the body’s utilization of
calcium from the diet. It aids in the maintenance of calcium and potassium
levels in the body by facilitating their absorption.
Read also: Amazing Inexpensive Renzo’s Vitamins You Need To Know
Without
enough vitamin D, the body cannot absorb calcium, rendering calcium supplements
ineffective. Because vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin, it must be consumed
with fat for proper absorption.
Fun In the Sun
The
most common cause of vitamin D deficiency is a lack of exposure to direct
sunlight. Season, time of day, latitude, air pollution, cloud cover, sunscreen,
lack of skin exposure, skin color, and age all have an impact on the skin’s
ability to produce vitamin D, making the sun an unreliable source.
Because
of the risk of skin cancer, people spend less time outside in the sun and use
more sunscreen, which blocks both the harmful and beneficial effects of the
sun. Even low-level sunscreens, such as SPF-8, can prevent your body from
producing vitamin D by up to 95%.
While
some sun is necessary for good health, too much sun can be harmful. Physicians
generally recommend ten to fifteen minutes of sun exposure (without sunscreen)
on your arms and legs every day.
If
you plan on staying out longer, apply sunscreen or cover-up, as prolonged,
unprotected sun exposure increases the risk of skin cancer.
Vitamin D in Foods
While
vitamin D can be obtained through diet, it is nearly impossible to obtain
sufficient amounts.
Read also: The Truth About St Tropica Hair Vitamins Revealed
To
meet the minimum requirement, a person would need to consume ten tall glasses
of vitamin D-fortified milk per day.
Vitamin
D-rich foods, such as milk and fortified dairy and grain products, egg yolk,
salmon, mackerel, tuna, sardines, cod liver oil, soy, seaweed, broccoli,
mustard, molasses, cane sugar, legumes, beans, almonds, oranges, are frequently
underutilized.
Including
these vitamin D-rich foods in your daily diet, along with adequate sunlight
exposure, can help prevent deficiency.
Factors Contributing to Risk
- Damage
to the kidneys or the liver - Obesity
is defined as a BMI of 30 or higher. - Several
medications - Magnesium
scarcity - Low
levels of cholesterol - A
diet that is extremely low in fat - Skin
that is very dark - Living
a long way from the equator - Over
the age of 50
It
has been noted that older adults require even more vitamin D because their
kidneys become less capable of converting vitamin D into its active form as
they age, they spend less time outdoors uncovered, and they do not meet their
needs through nutrition. Based on bone health, the Institute of Medicine
recommends how much vitamin D and calcium people should consume.
Vitamin D Recommendations
Adults
aged 69 to 70 – 600 IU/day
Adults
over 70 – 800 IU/day
Adults
aged 69 to 70 – 600 IU/day
“Tolerable
upper limit” – 4,000 IU “or the maximum amount that can be consumed
safely on a daily basis.”
Many
researchers, however, believe that this is still too low and does not go far
enough to address the chronic vitamin D deficiencies that have been reported.
Read also: 13 Vitamins For Effective Fast Weight Loss
The
Endocrine Society Practice Guidelines published recommendations for vitamin D
evaluation, treatment, and prevention, with a daily upper limit of 10,000 IU.
FAQs Related To Can Vitamin D Deficiency Cause
Fatigue
Can vitamin D help with fatigue?
Conclusion:
Vitamin D supplementation significantly reduced fatigue in otherwise healthy
people who were deficient in vitamin D.
How quickly does vitamin D work for fatigue?
How
Long Does Vitamin D Take to Work? If you are deficient in vitamin D, you should
see results within 4-6 weeks of consistent supplementation. However, depending
on your baseline vitamin D levels, that timeframe may vary.
What causes vitamin D to drop?
The
most common cause of vitamin D deficiency is a lack of exposure to sunlight.
Some disorders may also contribute to the deficiency. The most common cause is
a lack of exposure to sunlight, which occurs when the diet lacks vitamin D, but
certain disorders can also cause the deficiency.
What vitamin should I take for fatigue?
If
you are tired, eating foods high in vitamin B12 or taking a supplement may help
you feel better.
Will taking vitamin D give me more energy?
According
to new research from Newcastle University, vitamin D is essential for making
our muscles work efficiently and boosting energy levels.
Why do I constantly feel tired?
This
is due to anemia caused by iron deficiency. Sleep apnea is caused by an
underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism).
Read also: 20 Best Foods to Eat During Pregnancy and 10 Foods to Avoid
A Word From GetMe Treated
Can
vitamin d deficiency cause fatigue? As was previously stated, yes, vitamin D
deficiency can cause fatigue. It’s important you know that Vitamin D deficiency
can be corrected, but only a simple blood test can determine if you are
deficient.
Request
a vitamin D test from your doctor to determine if you are deficient. With this
knowledge, you can begin a supplementation and sun exposure regimen to
replenish the body’s vital supply.
