Vitamin D deficiency: Feeling tired and lower back pain could be symptoms
VITAMIN D is a crucial nutrient, and it's in short supply over the winter months. How can you tell if you're lacking vitamin D?
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The symptoms of a vitamin D deficiency can leave you feeling totally D-flated this winter. The NHS recommends everyone in Britain to take a vitamin D supplement over the winter months, as the sunlight isn’t strong enough for us to absorb it from daylight. How can you spot a vitamin D deficiency?
Vitamin D - also known as the sunshine vitamin - is in short supply at this time of year in the UK.
In fact, every Briton over the age of four is advised to take a vitamin D supplement throughout the winter months to ensure they’re getting enough of the essential nutrient.
While you can get some vitamin D from your diet, its harder for your body to absorb the vitamin from the food you eat, meaning it’s difficult to get all the vitamin D you require from food alone.
If you aren’t taking a vitamin D supplement, you might begin to notice the symptoms of vitamin D deficiency.
What are the most common symptoms of a vitamin D deficiency?
Feeling tired
Not getting enough vitamin D can leave you feeling sluggish and low in energy.
Studies have found children who are vitamin D deficient have a harder time getting enough high quality sleep.
Although it’s not known if vitamin D affects adults’ quality of sleep, a lack of vitamin D definitely seems to contribute to high levels of fatigue.
If you’re feeling knackered all the time, consider popping a vitamin D supplement for an energy boost.
Back pain
One of vitamin D’s most important functions is helping your bones stay healthy.
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This is because vitamin D helps your body to absorb the bone-strengthening nutrients from calcium.
Therefore, bone pain and particularly back pain can be signs of low vitamin D.
A lack of vitamin D can even result in a loss of bone mass, making you more vulnerable to fractures.
- Other symptoms of low vitamin D levels include:
- Depressed mood
- Hair loss
- Muscle pain
- Anxiety
If you suspect you have a vitamin D deficiency, you should definitely consider a supplement.
The advice of the NHS is to take a vitamin D supplement throughout the winter months when the sunlight in the UK is not strong enough for our bodies to create vitamin D.
If any of the symptoms of vitamin D deficiency are concerning you, speak to your GP who will be able to support you.