If you are looking for some info on how to treat vitamin D deficiency, read the following article. Vitamin D deficiency can be defined as a condition when vitamin D levels in blood get too low. This can cause serious health problems, so it is necessary to start treating this condition as soon as possible.
Vitamin D deficiency can be caused by several factors. People whose sun exposure is limited are at risk of becoming deficient in vitamin D. Vegetarians are also at risk, because they do not consume animal-derived products. Vitamin D3 is naturally found in foods like eggs, fish oil, animal meat and dairy products. If you do not consume these foods, you may lack vitamin D. Vegetarians can consume some fortified breakfast cereals, but these amounts are not considered sufficient. If you are a vegetarian, you probably know that you have to find alternative ways to get vitamins and minerals. Vitamin supplements are considered very effective, not only for vegetarians, but also for other people – especially those who live in cold countries.
Vitamin D is produced in the skin of humans and animals. This process takes place during the sun exposure. It is important to say that vitamin D cannot be properly synthesized if you are wearing sunscreen. You should not spend time outside if the sun is too strong, of course; however, you can enjoy the morning sun without any sunscreen. Twenty minute will be enough to get your dose of vitamin D. You should expose your skin to sunrays at least four times a week.
People who have dark skin have to expose their skin to sunrays even more. Dark skin needs more time to start synthesizing vitamin D. This is why dark-skinned people are at higher risk of getting deficient in vitamin D.
Older people should use supplements, because the ability of the body to transform vitamin D into its active form decreases as we age.
How to Treat Vitamin D Deficiency
● The treatment will depend on the severity of one’s condition. Low vitamin D levels will require lower doses of vitamin D supplements, and the treatment will not last too long. The problem is that low vitamin D levels cannot be easily recognized, because there are no symptoms in the beginning. If you are at risk of getting deficient in vitamin D (you are over 60, you are dark-skinned, you suffer from Crohn’s disease, you are a vegetarian, or your sun exposure is limited), visit your doctor and check your vitamin D levels in blood.
● Vitamin D deficiency treatment consists of vitamin D supplements. The dosage and the type of vitamin D supplements will depend on how low your vitamin D levels are. People who have very low vitamin D levels will probably take 1000 International Units daily. If you are severely deficient, your doctor may prescribe larger doses.
● In most cases, vitamin D supplements are used in the form of liquids or capsules, but this will depend on your condition. Your doctor will decide about this.
● If used for cancer prevention, daily dose of vitamin D supplements will be nearly 1000 International Units.
● People with cardiovascular disease will take from 528 to 1000 IU daily.
● For people with diabetes (type II), vitamin D dosage can range from 400 International Units to 5700 International Units.
● For people who suffer from high blood pressure, the dosage will go from 400 to 8000 IU.
*What you can read here are only guidelines. You must never use any supplements on your own. Never change the dosage without your doctor’s knowledge. If you think that your dosage is too high or too low, talk to your doctor.