Vitamin D deficiency: The sign to look for when waking up in the morning this winter
WE'RE in the thick of it now. The days are cold, the nights are long. Oh, and there's a pandemic too. Now more than ever we need a strong immune system and vitamin D plays a key role in keeping our immune system fighting fit.
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The first sign is one that anybody can relate to, especially if they’re a new parent.
That is, feeling tired all the time.
According to Holland and Barrett, vitamin D levels have been shown to improve signs of fatigue.
The second symptom is head sweats; a common sign of a lack of vitamin D deficiency.
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If you’re feeling particularly sad this may partly be to do with low vitamin D levels.
Serotonin, also known as the happiness chemical, needs vitamin D to be made in the brain.
Weak muscles are also a symptom of Vitamin D deficiency.
In older adults, a lack of Vitamin D is linked to muscle weakness
Vitamin D also helps our bodies absorb calcium to keep our bones, muscles and teeth healthy.
Not only does Vitamin D keep our bones healthy, it’s also essential in maintaining a strong immune system.
It is good practice, and recommended by many, that you take Vitamin D supplements in the winter to reinforce your immune system to help fight off winter infections
Weight gain is another sign of Vitamin D deficiency.
Research suggests that low Vitamin D levels are linked to obesity.
Correspondingly, those with higher Vitamin D levels had lower levels of body fat.
Aching bones and joints, specifically in the knees and back, is evidence that you need to increase your vitamin D levels.
This is because, as mentioned, vitamin D plays a key role in your bone health.
With regard to mental health, Holland and Barrett note that those with low levels of Vitamin D are around 11 times more likely to develop depression than those without low levels of the vitamin.
However, more research is needed in this area to provide a definitive conclusion.
The main way to increase your Vitamin D levels during the winter is to take a vitamin D supplement.
You can find Vitamin D in fish, eggs, red meat and wild mushrooms.