The effect of vitamin d deficiency can raise many diseases that you don’t know might be causing. 

By the end of the 20th century, about 90% of the children living in the US were suffering from a bone-deforming disease called rickets. For preventing rickets, Sunbathing became very important during that time. 

Disease caused due to Vitamin D deficiency is-

• Skeletal disease
• Cardiovascular disease (heart disease)
• Type 1 diabetes (T1DM)
• Type 2 diabetes risk reduction 
• Multiple sclerosis (MS) 
• Obesity 
• Cancer 
• Lupus 
• Infections 
• Cognitive disorders 
• Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) 
• Autoimmune thyroid disease (AITD) 

The effects of vitamin d deficiency are as follows-

1. Skeletal disease

Vitamin D deficiency leads to hyperparathyroidism that causes an increase in bone loss, osteomalacia, osteopenia, osteoporosis, and also it causes high fracture risk. 

1. Osteomalacia – Osteomalacia is the softening of the bones caused due to inadequate levels of calcium and vitamin D in the body.
2. Osteopenia- Osteopenia is a situation in which bone mineral density is lower than normal.
3. Osteoporosis- Osteoporosis is a disease where there is a high risk of a broken bone due to increased bone weakness.

2. Cardiovascular disease (heart disease) 

Vitamin D deficiency is connected with developing the disease such as high blood pressure, heart attack, heart failure, stroke, hyperlipidemia, coronary artery disease, peripheral vascular disease. 

1. Hyperlipidemia- Hyperlipidemia is a condition of unusually elevated levels of lipoproteins in the blood.
2. Peripheral Vascular Disease – PVD is narrowing of the arteries except for those arteries which supply the heart or the brain.
3. Coronary Artery Disease – CAD is similar to PVD, but the narrowing of arteries occurs in the heart.

3. Type 1 diabetes (T1DM)

The research found that people suffering from type 1 diabetes have a higher possibility of having a vitamin D deficiency. 

4. Type 2 diabetes risk reduction 

Research has shown that those with good vitamin D levels reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes compared with those having lower levels of vitamin D. Adequate vitamin D levels is also been related to improved blood sugar levels and decreased insulin resistance.

5. Multiple sclerosis (MS) 

Multiple sclerosis is a disease in which the protecting cover of nerve cells of the brain and spinal cord gets damaged. This results in Double vision, and blindness in one eye. Vitamin D deficiency increases the risk of developing MS. People living in an area that is farther from the equator, have a greater risk of developing Multiple sclerosis.

6. Obesity 

A study found that vitamin D deficiency was interconnected to obesity. Weight

Being overweight or obese may put you at risk for a vitamin D deficiency. A healthy and balanced diet or sun exposure may have some positive impact on reducing this problem. Also, there is no use of any artificial supplements.

7. Cancer 

Vitamin D protects our body from the development of cancers, which includes breast, colon, and prostate cancer.

Skin cancer is caused due to UV radiation from sunlight exposure. However, there are rumors about this, some people assumed that if you get sufficient sun exposure to keep your vitamin D at good levels, you might protect your skin from damage or skin cancer disease. 

Vitamin D has anti-inflammatory properties that may be able to help you by lowering pain levels in cancer patients.

8. Lupus 

Lupus is an inflammatory disease that affects the skin, joints, kidneys, brain, heart, and lungs. Caused when the immune system attacks its own tissues. People suffering from lupus are sensitive to light, and cause rashes when exposed to sunlight which puts them at high risk for vitamin D deficiency. 

9. Infections

Vitamin D plays an important role in reducing the risk of many infections, such as pneumonia, urinary tract infections, bacteremia, and infections due to surgery.

10. Cognitive disorders 

Vitamin D plays an important role in brain development, functionality, and for a healthy nervous system. Vitamin D deficiency can cause Schizophrenia, Parkinson’s disease, anxiety disorders, Alzheimer’s disease, depression, dementia, and old aged people with cognitive decline. 

It is necessary to maintain a good level of vitamin D throughout your life, as it will help you to prevent age-related neurological disorders.

1. Schizophrenia – Schizophrenia is a mental disorder issue that results in weird social behavior, beliefs, and not understanding reality.
2. Parkinson’s disease – Parkinson’s disease is a long-term degenerative disorder of the central nervous system. Common symptoms are shaking, anxiety, rigidity, slow movement, depression, and difficulty with walking.  
3. Alzheimer’s disease – Alzheimer’s disease is a chronic neurodegenerative disease that usually occurs in old age people. Common symptoms are Difficulty in remembering a thing, memory loss, problems in speaking language, getting lost, and mood swings.

11. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA)

Studies found that people with lower vitamin D levels had the highest risk of developing RA as compared to those who are having high vitamin D levels. 

12. Autoimmune thyroid disease (AITD) 

 It has been found that people having vitamin D deficiency in their body might increase the risk of getting autoimmune thyroid disease. Also known as Graves’ disease and Hashimoto thyroiditis.

Click to know-The Truth About Vitamin D

How vitamin D helps in our bodies?

• Avoid Fractures- Vitamin D might play a crucial role in preventing fracture. Vitamin D deficiency might cause myopathy, which can lead to muscle weakness and pain. It has been found that calcium reduces the risk of fractures by 10%-15%.

• Vitamin D improves food absorption by 30%-40% and also phosphorus by 80%. Otherwise, only 10%-20% of calcium and 60% of phosphorus are absorbed. 

• Vitamin D enhances calcium absorption in the gut and maintains calcium levels in the blood to help the mineralization of bone. It also prevents unusual blood calcium levels that can then cause Tetany (a contraction of muscles, muscle cramps).

• Inflammation reduction- Inflammation occurred after an injury is caused due to C-reactive protein. Research has shown that with increased levels of vitamin D, there is a decrease in levels of C-reactive protein.