THE MIGHTY ROLE OF VITAMIN D

Vitamin D is a bit of a show-off! It’s not just a vitamin, but also a hormone that our bodies can produce when our skin basks in the sunlight. It’s a key player in maintaining the calcium and phosphate levels in our body, ensuring our bones stay strong and our muscles function smoothly. But that’s not all! Vitamin D is also a guardian of our immune system, helping to keep harmful bacteria and viruses at bay.

THE DARK SIDE: VITAMIN D DEFICIENCY AND INSUFFICIENCY

When the sun doesn’t shine in our bodies, things can get a bit gloomy. Vitamin D deficiency occurs when the concentration of 25-hydroxyvitamin D, the main form of vitamin D in the blood, falls below 30 nmol/L. Insufficiency is when the concentration is between 30-50 nmol/L.

When vitamin D levels are insufficient or deficient, the body may struggle to maintain adequate calcium and phosphate levels, leading to a variety of health problems. These include weakened bones (osteoporosis), muscle weakness, and an increased risk of fractures. Recent research also suggests that low Vitamin D levels could be linked to chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and certain types of cancer.

Severe vitamin D deficiency can also lead to other diseases. In children, it can cause rickets, which is a rare disease that causes the bones to become soft and bend. In adults, severe vitamin D deficiency leads to osteomalacia, which makes your bones hurt and weak.

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