Vitamin D Deficiency – The Tip of the Iceberg

Vitamin D levels can decrease for several reasons.

Firstly, to obtain sufficient Vitamin D from the sun, you must be exposed to ultraviolet B (UVB) rays for an adequate duration. In other words, the angle and intensity of sunlight change with the seasons, significantly reducing your ability to produce Vitamin D during the winter months. Additionally, the absorption rate of sunlight by the skin can vary from person to person. For example, if you have a darker skin tone, you require more sunlight exposure compared to individuals with lighter skin tones.

Vitamin D deficiency could be related to diet and digestive issues!

Moreover, your dietary habits can also affect Vitamin D levels. Not consuming enough Vitamin D-rich foods or experiencing digestive problems that affect the absorption of Vitamin D can lead to decreased levels.

Vitamin D is produced during the hours when sunlight is more direct.

The relationship between Vitamin D deficiency and the circadian rhythm, which is the biological clock of your body, is a fundamental aspect of our physiology. By definition, the circadian rhythm is a natural cycle that controls our body’s biological functions and repeats every 24 hours. When your eyes perceive sunlight at a sufficient level for Vitamin production, your body activates the system that produces Vitamin D. Subsequently, a transformation occurs in your skin, allowing you to produce Vitamin D. If you spend your day in darkness, you may need to find a solution or use a supplemental product.

There could be a relationship between our body’s adaptability and Vitamin D deficiency.

Although all adaptations are part of humanity’s biological ability to overcome significant challenges, they could be the cause of Vitamin D deficiency. For instance, if your eyes are exposed to strong blue light waves from television and phones in the evening, your attempts to produce this valuable substance will be unsuccessful. We must underline that we do not have clear information on how our cells will decide when they receive signals that Vitamin D production attempts have failed. Considering that such negative feedback could inhibit your Vitamin D production, spending your evenings under dim light could positively influence Vitamin D synthesis.

According to statistics, Vitamin D deficiency primarily negatively affects bone health and can weaken the immune system.

Vitamin D deficiency is a widespread condition globally, with estimates suggesting that nearly 1 billion people are affected. The prevalence rate varies between 40% – 100%, with the highest rates found in North Asia and the Middle East. Despite ample sunlight, Vitamin D deficiency is a common issue in our country! Looking at the situation in Turkey, a comprehensive study involving 111,000 individuals revealed that there is a current Vitamin D deficiency rate of 63%. In specific groups (newborns, children, pregnant women, young adults), this rate can rise to 86%, while in the elderly population, it is observed to be between 40-50%.

Maintaining an ideal weight, living without pain, and protecting against chronic diseases seem quite challenging with a deficiency in Vitamin D.

Vitamin D deficiency is associated with serious health issues such as musculoskeletal pain, osteoporosis, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, autoimmune disorders, sleep disturbances, cancer, and increased mortality. Therefore, detecting and treating Vitamin D deficiency is of great importance.

The cases of Vitamin D deficiency we see are just the tip of the iceberg!

In the literature, many studies are re-evaluating the criteria for vitamin deficiency. Being outside the group with Vitamin D deficiency associated with diseases does not seem sufficient for a healthy path. Evidence pointing to the difference between being within the reference ranges created from experience with diseases related to severe Vitamin D deficiency and being at optimal levels is increasing. Many experts and authorities are adopting different and higher reference ranges.

If you wish to support your health, you can consult with a competent physician who provides services with a functional medicine approach to determine if your Vitamin D levels are at an ideal level.

References

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Dr. Kerem Korkut

He completed his medical education at Akdeniz University Faculty of Medicine. He provided services in areas such as emergency, health care in tourism facilities, and flight-related health conditions. He has been working at the Healthy Lifestyle and Functional Medicine Unit of Izmir University of Economics Medical Point Hospital since 2019.