Several studies have been done in order to find out if vitamin D and weight loss are interconnected. Vitamin D is important for general growth and development. It takes part in several important processes in the human body. According to several researches, vitamin D can be helpful in preventing various diseases, in both children and adults. According to recent studies, vitamin D can be helpful in body weight regulation.
Vitamin D is naturally synthesized in the skin, during the sun exposure. To get your daily dose of vitamin D, you will need to spend at least twenty-five minutes in the sun (if you are white-skinned), and more than thirty minutes if you are dark-skinned. You should not be outside when the sun is too strong, of course. This can cause skin burns. It is recommended to spend some time in the morning sun, or after five pm. During this time of the day, you won’t need any sunscreen. Vitamin D will not be properly synthesized if you use any protective screens. These products will prevent the sun from reaching your skin.
Vitamin D Deficiency
Vitamin D deficiency is more common than you think. In fact, many people lack vitamin D, but very few of them actually know it. Vitamin D deficiency symptoms do not occur right away, so you can be deficient in vitamin D without being aware of it.
Vitamin D symptoms may include:
● Fatigue
● General weakness
● Soft bones
● Easy fracturing
Severe deficiency is characterized by:
● Osteomalacia
● Rickets in children
● Blood pressure can go higher in people who already have problems with hypertension
● Patients with type 2 diabetes may have difficulties in controlling diabetes
● Depression can occur due to severe deficiency of vitamin D
Vitamin D and Weight Loss
Now, let us find out more about the relation between obesity and vitamin D. According to some researches, people who have low vitamin D levels will not be able to lose weight as easily as people whose vitamin D levels are normal. Therefore, if you are planning to start losing weight, it will be wise to check your vitamin D levels, especially if your sun exposure is limited, or you are a vegetarian. People who live in cold countries and vegetarians can be at risk of vitamin D deficiency.
More researches will have to be done to see if obesity leads to vitamin D deficiency, or low vitamin D levels lead to obesity. However, the connection between these conditions certainly exists.
Vitamin D is very important for proper calcium absorption, and it is also closely related to blood sugar levels.
If you are obese, you need to do something about it, before you start having other health problems. Obesity can lead to various complications.
You should never start any diet without your doctor’s advice. You have to be prepared for your diet. This means you have to consult your doctor about the right type of exercises, and the right type of foods to include in your new diet plan. You can ask your doctor to measure your vitamin D levels, blood pressure and blood sugar. If you suffer from any disease, your doctor will carry out other tests, and based on these results, you will be given proper diet plan to follow. If you lack vitamin D, you will be given vitamin D supplements and you will prevent deficiency from getting worse. Keep in mind that vitamin D deficiency is asymptomatic in the beginning! Even if you are feeling fine, you may still lack vitamin D, without even knowing it.