Vitamin D is an essential nutrient for our overall health. It is essential for strong bones, teeth and muscles. Vitamin D helps the body absorb calcium from the food that we eat.
The main source of vitamin D is from exposure to sunlight. The skin produces vitamin D when exposed to ultra-violet (UV) rays in the sunlight. Only a limited number of foods contain small amounts of vitamin D such as oily fish like salmon, tuna, and mackerel, liver, egg yolks and some fortified foods.
Low levels of vitamin D in the body can cause the following symptoms
- Bone and joint pains
- Muscle weakness
- Falls and broken bones in older people
- Rickets in children
Vitamin D deficiency is more common in
- People with dark skin
- People who cover most of their body for cultural or religious reasons
- Individuals who work indoors
- Bedridden people
- Babies born to mothers with vitamin D deficiency
- People with some kidney or bowel diseases
Vitamin D level in the body can be tested with a blood test. Talk to your doctor if you are at risk of vitamin D deficiency.