With winter approaching.. How to reduce the risk of vitamin D deficiency?

Written by Enas Al-Banna

Monday, December 4, 2023 06:00 AM

Known Vitamin D It is known as the sunshine vitamin, as sunlight is the main source for obtaining this vitamin, which is important for bone health and helps absorb calcium.

Winter and the risk of vitamin D deficiency

According to the website “onlymyhealthResearch has shown that winter is a major risk factor for vitamin D deficiency, according to a study published in the journal Frontiers Nutrition She noted that vitamin D deficiency was more common during the winter and spring, which urged people at risk of this condition to take vitamin D supplements to prevent it..

There are several factors that can be responsible for this, some of them are the following

Limited exposure to sunlight: During the winter, the drying period is shorter, and people tend to spend more time indoors, in addition to the lack of sunlight, the main source of vitamin D..

Clothing choice: Cold weather often prompts people to wear more layers of clothing, which may reduce skin exposure to the sun.

Use sunscreen: Many experts recommend using sunscreen to protect the skin from damage caused by the sun, but by applying it, you can block the ultraviolet rays necessary to obtain vitamin D.

Symptoms of low vitamin D levels

Vitamin D deficiency can cause several symptoms in the body, including::

• Tired

• Body pain

• Weakness

• Anorexia

• Recurrent illness

• Myalgia

• Hair loss

• Sleep problems

In addition, untreated vitamin D deficiency can also lead to certain complications, such as bone problems and increased risk of conditions such as osteoporosis and rickets, muscle weakness, increased risk of falls and injury, and mood disorders such as depression..

How to increase vitamin D intake?

While exposure to sunlight is the best way to increase vitamin D levels, other sources, including diet and supplements, can also be effective in preventing deficiency..

Fatty fish such as salmon and mackerel, fortified dairy products, plant milks, and egg yolks are dietary sources of vitamin D. In some cases, you may need nutritional supplements after consulting your doctor.