What Causes Vitamin D Deficiency

Knowing what causes vitamin D deficiency is the best way to prevent it. Unfortunately, the path to discovery is not all that simple. However, what causes vitamin deficiency might be the same that causes certain illnesses. As such, it behooves you to explore all of the potential causes of vitamin deficiency.

Some vitamins, such as vitamin D are of particular importance to women. It is responsible for strong bones and strong teeth. Vitamin D is crucial to the absorption of calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, B12 and iron. It also enhances immune function. As such, it can strengthen muscle tissue. According to the New England Journal of Medicine, a vitamin D deficiency can lead to problems such as osteoporosis, osteo arthritis, and osteomalacia and muscle weakness.

While stress is one of the major causes of vitamin deficiency, the situation is often made worse by poor nutritional habits. The avoidance of fruits, vegetables and dairy products is one of the major culprits. The problem is compounded by smoking and excessive alcohol. Pregnant women, people with asthma or anyone recovering from surgery or serious illness is also at a high risk for vitamin deficiency.

Asthma can be exacerbated by a low magnesium intake. A study published in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition showed that smokers tend have a diet that is deficient in vitamin D. Alcohol has an adverse effect on vitamin D metabolism. Someone might be consuming an adequate amount of a specific vitamin. However, due to a number of factors, their bodies might not be absorbing it.

Vitamin D deficiency is associated with lack of sunshine. In fact, in the past decade, incidents of vitamin D deficiency have increased. Some researchers speculate that this is due to the fact that people are spending more time indoors.The social network on the MySpace or FaceBook has taken the place of the park. In fact, according to a 2002 study at the Boston Medical Center, by the end of one winter, 32% of students and doctors, aged 18 to 29 years, were vitamin D deficient.

One can’t talk about what causes vitamin D deficiency without talking about oxidative stress. However, to understand oxidative stress, one needs to know about antioxidants. Antioxidants can be likened to the warriors that protect your body from illness. Examples include any food that is rich in vitamin A, vitamin E, vitamin C and vitamin D.

Oxidative stress occurs when the level of antioxidants in the body drops below normal. One can compare oxidative stress to a highly destructive gang of molecules known as the free radicals. Realizing that there are not enough antioxidants to protect the body, they set out on a killing spree by attacking cell membranes, proteins and other genetic material. They do this using the same chemical process that causes iron to rust. Once a cell is oxidized, its vitamins are depleted.

The subject of vitamin deficiency is complex. Don’t attempt to self-diagnose. If you sense a deficiency, see a doctor for testing.

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