Can Vitamin D Deficiency Cause Fatigue

Can vitamin D deficiency cause fatigue? Yes. Vitamin D deficiency can cause fatigue. Vitamin D deficiency has been linked to fatigue as well as other vague symptoms such as migraine, muscle problems and loss of strength, anxiety, and cognitive impairments performance.

The media has recently focused on widespread reports of vitamin D deficiency. According to studies, up to 40% of the US population is vitamin D deficient.

Surprisingly, I, too, fall into the deficient category. If it can happen to a nurse and wellness advocate like me, it can happen to anyone! Because the symptoms are ambiguous, it frequently goes undiagnosed.

The consequences of remaining undetected are shocking. Researchers are now discovering that vitamin D plays an important role in the prevention and/or progression of a variety of diseases and conditions, including:

Stroke
Diabetes
Diabetes
Obesity
Depression
Cancer
Chronic fatigue
Fibromyalgia
Osteoporosis
Heart disease
Autoimmune diseases

The Sunshine Vitamin

With so many different vitamins, minerals, and nutrients, it can be difficult to understand them all.

Vitamin D is unique in that it is both a vitamin and a hormone. Vitamin D, also known as the "Sunshine Vitamin," is produced by the skin when it is directly exposed to ultraviolet radiation from natural sunlight.

When the sun's rays pass through glass or while wearing sunscreen, this does not occur.

Vitamin D is found primarily in two forms: vitamin D2 or ergocalciferol (found in food) and vitamin D3 or cholecalciferol (found in supplements) (generated by the sun).

Muscles require vitamin D to move, and nerves require it to communicate between the brain and the body. This explains why deficiencies can cause muscle pain and weakness, as well as nerve pain.

The Calcium-Vitamin D-Magnesium Connection

For optimal absorption, a balance of vitamin D, calcium, and magnesium are required.

Magnesium is required for the conversion of vitamin D into its active form in the blood. If vitamin D is supplemented without magnesium, this can result in magnesium deficiency.

Vitamin D is necessary for strong bones because it aids the body's utilization of calcium from the diet. It aids in the maintenance of calcium and potassium levels in the body by facilitating their absorption.

Without enough vitamin D, the body cannot absorb calcium, rendering calcium supplements ineffective. Because vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin, it must be consumed with fat for proper absorption.

Fun In the Sun

The most common cause of vitamin D deficiency is a lack of exposure to direct sunlight. Season, time of day, latitude, air pollution, cloud cover, sunscreen, lack of skin exposure, skin color, and age all have an impact on the skin's ability to produce vitamin D, making the sun an unreliable source.

Because of the risk of skin cancer, people spend less time outside in the sun and use more sunscreen, which blocks both the harmful and beneficial effects of the sun. Even low-level sunscreens, such as SPF-8, can prevent your body from producing vitamin D by up to 95%.

While some sun is necessary for good health, too much sun can be harmful. Physicians generally recommend ten to fifteen minutes of sun exposure (without sunscreen) on your arms and legs every day.

If you plan on staying out longer, apply sunscreen or cover-up, as prolonged, unprotected sun exposure increases the risk of skin cancer.

Vitamin D in Foods

While vitamin D can be obtained through diet, it is nearly impossible to obtain sufficient amounts.

To meet the minimum requirement, a person would need to consume ten tall glasses of vitamin D-fortified milk per day.

Vitamin D-rich foods, such as milk and fortified dairy and grain products, egg yolk, salmon, mackerel, tuna, sardines, cod liver oil, soy, seaweed, broccoli, mustard, molasses, cane sugar, legumes, beans, almonds, oranges, are frequently underutilized.

Including these vitamin D-rich foods in your daily diet, along with adequate sunlight exposure, can help prevent deficiency.

Factors Contributing to Risk

Damage to the kidneys or the liver
Obesity is defined as a BMI of 30 or higher.
Several medications
Magnesium scarcity
Low levels of cholesterol
A diet that is extremely low in fat
Skin that is very dark
Living a long way from the equator
Over the age of 50

It has been noted that older adults require even more vitamin D because their kidneys become less capable of converting vitamin D into its active form as they age, they spend less time outdoors uncovered, and they do not meet their needs through nutrition. Based on bone health, the Institute of Medicine recommends how much vitamin D and calcium people should consume.

Vitamin D Recommendations

Adults aged 69 to 70 - 600 IU/day

Adults over 70 - 800 IU/day

Adults aged 69 to 70 - 600 IU/day

"Tolerable upper limit" - 4,000 IU "or the maximum amount that can be consumed safely on a daily basis."

Many researchers, however, believe that this is still too low and does not go far enough to address the chronic vitamin D deficiencies that have been reported.

The Endocrine Society Practice Guidelines published recommendations for vitamin D evaluation, treatment, and prevention, with a daily upper limit of 10,000 IU.

FAQs Related To Can Vitamin D Deficiency Cause Fatigue

Can vitamin D help with fatigue?

Conclusion: Vitamin D supplementation significantly reduced fatigue in otherwise healthy people who were deficient in vitamin D.

How quickly does vitamin D work for fatigue?

How Long Does Vitamin D Take to Work? If you are deficient in vitamin D, you should see results within 4-6 weeks of consistent supplementation. However, depending on your baseline vitamin D levels, that timeframe may vary.

What causes vitamin D to drop?

The most common cause of vitamin D deficiency is a lack of exposure to sunlight. Some disorders may also contribute to the deficiency. The most common cause is a lack of exposure to sunlight, which occurs when the diet lacks vitamin D, but certain disorders can also cause the deficiency.

What vitamin should I take for fatigue?

If you are tired, eating foods high in vitamin B12 or taking a supplement may help you feel better.

Will taking vitamin D give me more energy?

According to new research from Newcastle University, vitamin D is essential for making our muscles work efficiently and boosting energy levels.

Why do I constantly feel tired?

This is due to anemia caused by iron deficiency. Sleep apnea is caused by an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism).

A Word From GetMe Treated

Can vitamin d deficiency cause fatigue? As was previously stated, yes, vitamin D deficiency can cause fatigue. It’s important you know that Vitamin D deficiency can be corrected, but only a simple blood test can determine if you are deficient.

Request a vitamin D test from your doctor to determine if you are deficient. With this knowledge, you can begin a supplementation and sun exposure regimen to replenish the body's vital supply.