Highlights
- Vitamin D is one of the crucial nutrients for the body
- It also happens to be one of the most important vitamins for our bones
- It facilitates optimum calcium absorption
Undeniably, vitamin D is one of the crucial nutrients for the body. It also happens to be one of the most important vitamins for the growth, repair and strengthening of our bones. Vitamin D assumes great significance as it facilitates optimum calcium absorption. Vitamin D deficiency does not let the body absorb calcium properly which leads to weaker bones and muscles. In India, vitamin D deficiency is almost pandemic. With most of our day spent indoors at our workplace, schools or colleges, we end up not getting enough of the 'Sunshine vitamin'. While sunlight is one of the primary sources of vitamin D, it can also be sourced through food items; despite this most people fail to meet the daily required intake of vitamin D.
Vitamin D deficiency often goes unchecked, however it is important that you are informed about the subtle signs and run a blood test to establish if you're low on the nutrient. Some of the commonly experienced symptoms associated with vitamin D deficiency would include the following:
- Daytime sleepiness
- Constant fatigue
- Pain in muscles and bones
- Frequently occurring cough, cold and respiratory infections
- Feeling moody, low or depressed
Diet and Vitamin D
While vitamin D supplements are easily available in the market and are often advised to be consumed once a month for people low on the nutrient, your medical expert will direct you to have the same depending on the severity of your deficiency. It is always better to source essential nutrients and minerals through natural food items and ingredients. In order to ensure adequate vitamin D intake you can load up on items like mushrooms, eggs, soy, fish and cheese.
Get in touch with your medical expert or a certified nutritionist to learn more about how to source vitamin D naturally in your diet. Adequate vitamin D levels have also been tied to reducing the risk of developing bone-related ailments like osteoporosis and even diseases like breast cancer.