Vitamin D3
Vitamin D, also known as cholecalciferol, is a fat-soluble vitamin that aids in the absorption of calcium and phosphate in the intestine and thus helps strengthen your bone mass and boosts the health of your body. It is produced in the body when the skin is exposed to ultraviolet B (UVB) rays from sunlight. Vitamin D is given as dietary supplements to maintain the health of bones, teeth, and muscles.
Vitamin D and chronic fatigue
This vital nutrient is necessary for many of the body’s main processes and increases the body’s ability to absorb other essential vitamins and minerals. Vitamin D is important for maintaining your overall health and well-being. Do you have a chronic fatigue problem that you can’t seem to shake? You’re getting enough sleep, eating well, and exercising regularly, so what gives? The answer might be simpler than you think – you could be deficient in vitamin D3. In fact, fatigue is one of the most common symptoms of vitamin D deficiency.
Role of Vitamin D in the immune system
Vitamin D plays a vital role in immune system support via numerous mechanisms and regulates both the innate and adaptive immune responses in the body. Vitamin D attaches to immune cell receptors such as neutrophils, macrophages, and natural killer cells and encourages them to create antimicrobial peptides that protect the body from foreign pathogens. According to the National Library of Research, vitamin D has a role in activating the antimicrobial cells to help the body fight infections and inhibit the infection from attacking.
What causes Vitamin D deficiency?
At IAH Wellness, we meet a lot of people who have chronic health issues that cause low vitamin D levels. Gut disorders such as Crohn’s disease and celiac disease can cause malabsorption, which prevents the body from absorbing nutrients from food. Because vitamin D is largely stored in the liver, kidney and liver disorders can also cause problems in converting vitamin D to its active form.
A variety of other factors can raise your risk of vitamin D deficiency, such as:
• Obesity
• malabsorption of nutrients
• Spending most of your time indoors
• Wearing a lot of sunblocks when outside
• Covering your skin when outside
Symptoms of Vitamin D deficiency:
A lack of vitamin D can increase your chances of developing health issues such as osteoporosis, heart disease, diabetes, and depression. Patients with vitamin D deficiency have an increased risk of developing the following symptoms:
• Muscle pain
• Weight gain
• Low energy levels
• Hair loss
• Impaired cognition
• Eczema
• Low mood
