How health problems can be caused by vitamin D deficiency

Vitamins are micronutrients, that is, substances that we need to have in a controlled amount in our body. In the case of vitamin D, it accumulates in our adipose tissue, so ideally it should not be in excess or in short supply in the human body. Learn more about this nutrient and what are the health problems due to lack of vitamin D

Vitamin D deficiency and health problems

According to Journal of Nutrition, approximately 88% of the world's population does not have vitamin D levels equal to those recommended by health institutions. The level, which should vary between 20 and 60 ng/ml, depending on age and gender, when it is below the recommended level, it can cause or enhance serious illnesses. Know more:

What is Vitamin D? What is it for?

Vitamin D is a hormone that plays a role in various metabolic processes in the human body. She is involved in the metabolism of collagen, the release of insulin by the pancreas, prolactin by the pituitary and acts in the control of arterial hypertension, for example.

Our body has precursor molecules of vitamin D. An easy way to boost your body to produce it is to expose yourself to the sun. Because, through the sun, the skin transforms pro-vitamin D3 into pre-vitamin D3 and, finally, into vitamin D3.

If you don't have much contact with solar radiation, it is possible, with a prescription, to buy supplements or to eat fish and seafood, eggs, milk, liver, cheeses and mushrooms.

What are the harms caused by vitamin D deficiency?

Vitamin D levels below the recommended level can disrupt numerous metabolic pathways in our body. Making an analogy, it is as if a train (a certain molecule or compound) were walking on rails and stopping at the stations (i.e. doing chemical reactions) and find a broken part of the track (which corresponds to the absence of vitamin D). That way, he wouldn't be able to move forward, and all the work - and energy expenditure - would be in vain.

Now imagine that several chain reactions happen all the time in our body. Many of them need vitamin D. If it is missing, various metabolic processes suffer damage. Among them stand out:

1. Emergence of inflammatory bowel diseases;
2. Stimulation of autoimmune disease processes;
3. Potentiation of cardiovascular risks;
4. Worsening of neurodegeneration frames;
5. Favoring viral and bacterial infections.

Scenario in Brazil

The Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), in partnership with the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz), conducted a study on vitamin D levels among the Brazilian population. It was found that about 875,000 people over 50 years old have vitamin D deficiency. This part of people is particularly worrying, given that they are more prone to developing obesity, liver failure, inflammatory bowel disease, osteoporosis, between others.

This article does not provide solutions for medical or psychological problems. Consult a specialist before starting any treatment.