Vitamin D is one of the fat-soluble vitamins and is also called the sunshine vitamin, because the body manufactures it when exposed to the sun’s ultraviolet rays. Sunlight is considered the most important factor in manufacturing vitamin D in the body through the skin. It is widely known that the cold and short days of winter It makes us unable to obtain enough vitamin D, due to the absence of sun on most days.

Vitamin D

Many may not know that they suffer from a deficiency of this important vitamin, but there are some common symptoms that our bodies can tell us that we need more of the vitamin. D, known as the “sunshine vitamin.”

Stephanie Schiff, a registered dietitian at Northwell Huntington Hospital, says most people don't get enough vitamin D, even if they spend a lot of time in the sun. She explained: “Even if you are exposed to the sun for long periods, you may not get enough vitamin D just from exposure to sunlight.”

In most cases, it is difficult to detect vitamin D deficiency without conducting a blood test, as symptoms usually appear after a long period of deficiency in the body, and here are some of those symptoms:

1. Pain in the bones and joints

Vitamin D deficiency affects the body's ability to absorb calcium and phosphorus, which can lead to osteomalacia. This can cause severe bone pain, in addition to increasing the risk of fractures.

If you find yourself frequently breaking bones, this may be a sign of vitamin D deficiency.

2. Muscle weakness, pain and cramps

Muscle pain that resembles growing pains in children or random muscle spasms can be a sign of vitamin D deficiency. This condition is known as tetany, which is characterized by excessive nervous reactions and spasms in the hands, feet, and sometimes the throat, in an uncontrollable manner as a result of low calcium in the blood in people who suffer from severe vitamin D deficiency.

It may be difficult to determine whether these symptoms are related to low sunshine vitamin because muscle spasms may occur for several other reasons, such as dehydration.

3. Dental problems

Vitamin D deficiency leads to decreased absorption of calcium, which affects dental health. If you suffer from an increase in cavities or gum problems, such as gum disease or gingivitis, these symptoms may indicate that your body needs more vitamin D.

4. Hair loss

Vitamin D deficiency is associated with various types of hair loss, including telogen effluvium, androgenetic alopecia, and alopecia areata.

If you notice that your hair has begun to fall out abnormally, it may be useful to check your vitamin D level.

5. Difficulty sleeping and loss of appetite

Vitamin D deficiency may cause a feeling of general fatigue, but it does not stop here, as it may also affect your sleep pattern. Vitamin D plays a role in regulating melatonin, the hormone that controls the sleep-wake cycle. Furthermore, research has shown that vitamin D also affects leptin, the hormone that regulates appetite, so a deficiency may affect your feeling of hunger.