🌥️ What is Vitamin D deficiency?
Vitamin d plays a crucial role in the prevention and treatment of multiple diseases and most individuals in Canada have insufficient levels. Vitamin D deficiency occurs when your body doesn’t have enough vitamin D which can be measured by a simple blood test. Vitamin D is a vital nutrient that supports healthy bone growth and maintenance but also contributes to the proper functioning of your nervous system, musculoskeletal system, and immune system.
You can obtain vitamin D through several sources, including:
- Sunlight exposure (though individuals with darker skin tones, older adults,
or those living in certain geographic areas may not produce enough vitamin
D from sunlight alone) - The foods you eat (fatty fish, egg yolks, beef liver, cod liver oil)
- Dietary supplements
Even with these available sources, vitamin D deficiency remains a widespread global issue.
It plays a critical role in:
- Bone growth & maintenance
- Muscle strength
- Immune system regulation
- Inflammatory processes
- Cardiovascular health
- Cancer prevention
- Brain & Nervous system health
🧪 Potential Causes of Vitamin D deficiency:
Generally, vitamin D deficiency is caused by two main factors:
- Inadequate intake of vitamin D through diet and/or insufficient exposure to sunlight.
- The body’s inability to properly absorb and/or utilize vitamin D.
Several specific factors can contribute to vitamin D deficiency, including:
- Certain health conditions
- Weight-loss surgeries
- Specific medications
- Lack of sunlight
Additionally, various biological and environmental factors—such as older age and higher melanin levels in the skin—can increase the risk of developing a deficiency.
🚨 Who does Vitamin D deficiency affect?
Vitamin D deficiency can affect anyone—infants, children, and adults alike.
It tends to be more common in individuals with higher levels of skin melanin (darker skin tones) and in those who wear clothing that covers most of the skin, especially in Middle Eastern regions. It is also a common concern in Canada.
How common is Vitamin D deficiency?
Vitamin D deficiency is a common global issue. About 1 billion people worldwide have vitamin D deficiency, while 50% of the population has vitamin D insufficiency.
🛎️ George’s Final Words:
Vitamin D is unique among nutrients due to its hormone-like properties, wide reaching impact on multiple body systems, and the fact that it’s frequently deficient and difficult to obtain through diet alone. Because of its crucial role in overall health, it’s considered one of the most important fat-soluble vitamins. In Ontario, testing for vitamin D levels is not usually covered by OHIP and typically costs about $40—speak with your healthcare provider about checking your levels.
Dr. George Makrides, ND
