What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Vitamin D3 Deficiency?
Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that plays a crucial role in various physiological functions in the human body. It enhances the absorption of calcium and phosphorus, maintaining saturated levels of calcium and phosphorus in the blood plasma. Additionally, it promotes bone calcification, bodily growth, and dental health. A deficiency in vitamin D3 can lead to a range of symptoms that can affect children's growth and development. Let's explore the manifestations of vitamin D3 deficiency and the foods rich in this essential vitamin.
Vitamin D3 deficiency primarily affects calcium and phosphorus metabolism. As a necessary nutrient, vitamin D3 improves the absorption of calcium in the intestines. A lack of vitamin D3 can result in rickets, bone hyperplasia, depression, bone pain, and other complications. In children, vitamin D3 deficiency primarily manifests as rickets, accompanied by night sweats, yellowing and thinning of hair, and bald patches on the back of the head. In such cases, it is recommended to supplement with an appropriate amount of vitamin D3 and expose the individual to sunlight to activate vitamin D. Sometimes, vitamin D exists in the subcutaneous tissue in the form of sterols. If the individual doesn't expose themselves to sunlight for a long time, the sterols cannot be activated, preventing the production of active vitamin D. Therefore, it is advisable for individuals to expose themselves to sunlight during winter without applying sunscreen. Activated vitamin D is then hydroxylated in the liver and kidneys to produce 25-hydroxyvitamin D3, which is the active form of vitamin D. Sometimes, vitamin D deficiency is related to living conditions. For instance, in southern regions with limited sunlight during winter, individuals may experience the symptoms mentioned above.
Vitamin D belongs to the family of sterol nutrients, with vitamin D2 and vitamin D3 being the most significant members. When it comes to foods rich in vitamin D, animal-based foods are the primary sources, while plant-based foods contain minimal amounts of this vitamin. Cod liver oil tops the list of foods with the highest vitamin D content. Other rich sources include dairy products, butter, cream, sardines, clams, squid, fresh fish, fish liver, halibut liver oil, and tuna liver oil. Seasonality also affects the vitamin D content in foods. During summer, when sunlight is abundant, eggs, cow's milk, and goat's milk contain higher levels of vitamin D due to sun exposure compared to winter. Besides food sources, vitamin D can also be obtained through sun exposure. Dehydrocholesterol in human skin can be converted into vitamin D3 by ultraviolet radiation from the sun, making it a convenient and economical way to obtain vitamin D. This is why it is recommended for children and the elderly to engage in more outdoor activities during winter.
