11 scary things that could happen if you don't get enough vitamin D
With fewer daylight hours and colder temperatures, it can be challenging to get enough vitamin D during the winter months.
Without the proper amounts of vitamin D, however, you could be at risk for all kinds of health problems, including heart conditions and weakened bones. Children who have vitamin D deficiencies are also at higher risks of developing rickets.
Vitamin D, which is actually a hormone, is created in your body when your skin is exposed to the sun. It helps your body absorb calcium and sustain normal amounts of phosphorous. There are some supplements and foods, such as fatty fish, that also help your body produce vitamin D, but the best way to get enough vitamin D is from the sun.
According to the Mayo Clinic, the recommended amount of vitamin D is 400 international units (IU) for children up to 12 months, 600 IU for people from 1-70 years old, and 800 IU for people over 70 years old. However, more may be necessary for healthy adults, according to a 2008 study.
In the U.S., up to 41.6% of the adult population has a vitamin D deficiency, which correlates with several chronic diseases, according to a 2010 study.
A vitamin D deficiency, as defined by the study, is if someone has less than 20 nanograms per milliliter (ng/mL) in their blood. In order to have sufficient levels of vitamin D again, people in the study needed to take 5,000 IU to reach above 30 ng/mL, according to Healthline.
