In recent years, it has been shown that calcium and vitamin D are related to many health conditions and diseases. However, when these two nutrients are lacking, it can lead to other health complications, including osteoporosis and certain cancers. Calcium deficiency is usually caused by a poor diet or other health related issues, like kidney disease, kidney infection, chemotherapy, radiation treatments, or a severe weight loss. In some cases, a deficiency can also be due to certain hormones and infections.
One condition that is associated with low levels of calcium and vitamin D is rickets in children. This condition is most common among children who are under the age of six months and rarely occurs in adults. However, sometimes the poor diet alone is not enough to cause rickets, and this is often times a symptom of another condition. The following sections look at common symptoms of a calcium and vitamin deficiency disorder in more detail.
Vitamin D deficiency is usually not a serious condition, but sometimes it can cause skin infections. An extreme case of vitamin D deficiency can cause skin that is itchy, dry, warm, and very sensitive. If a child’s body is not receiving enough calcium and vitamin D, he may develop eczema, an inflamed red rash that can become extremely itchy. Other symptoms of vitamin D deficiency include fatigue, muscle weakness, inability to maintain bone density, and an overall lack of health.
Calcium and vitamin D are needed in order for the health of the skeletal system to flourish. Deficiencies in these substances lead to weak bones and increased chances of fractures. As a result of this condition, an increasing number of adults are suffering from reduced mobility, bone pain, stiffness of joints, and increased likelihood of falls. In the United States, a deficiency of vitamin D can be linked to a number of diseases, including osteomalacia (loss of bone density on the hands and wrists), rickets, hypertension, asthma, anemia, and obesity. Children are even more susceptible to these conditions due to their greater exposure to the sun, and their smaller intakes of vitamin D.
It is important to have sufficient vitamin D when you are pregnant or during your menstrual period. Women who do not have enough vitamin D are more likely to develop certain types of cancer. During pregnancy, a pregnant woman will also be exposed to a lot more radiation during birth control pills, and they must make sure that they receive sufficient amounts of vitamin D. In addition, many medical conditions can occur during pregnancy, which can be associated with vitamin D deficiency. For example, a pregnant woman of childbearing age is more likely to suffer from preeclampsia, a condition wherein water inside the stomach rises to the esophagus because of insufficient vitamin D, which in turn causes serious complications during digestion. Similarly, a woman can become more at risk to develop hypertension if she does not receive enough vitamin D during her pregnancy.
Vitamin D is essential for strong bones and teeth, which are two of the most common and least desirable health complications for adults. Children also benefit from having enough vitamin D in their diet, as it is necessary for the development of bones and teeth. However, adults who are obese are especially prone to vitamin D deficiency, which is usually caused by a lack of exposure to sunlight. This vitamin is found in fatty fish such as trout, salmon, and walleye, as well as eggs and fatty tissues. Therefore, a healthy diet should contain foods rich in vitamin D, particularly foods rich in vitamin D.
