这不是一个夸张地说vitamin Ddeficiency is a global health problem. As many as 1 billion people worldwide are estimated to have inadequate levels of this essential nutrient, according toan article published in April 2020 inStatPearls.In the United States, about 35 percent of adults are thought to be vitamin D deficient.
How much vitamin D you need varies by age, but the recommended daily amount for most adults is600 international units (IU), according to the National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements(ODS). Not getting enough of this vitamin can cause loss of bone density, which can contribute to fractures andosteoporosisover time. Vitamin D deficiency can also lead to fatigue, bone pain, muscle weakness, and mood changes.
While vitamin D has long been known to be important for bone health, research is increasingly revealing just how many other key roles this nutrient plays in keeping us healthy. Astudy published in June 2018 in theInternational Journal of Molecular Sciencesnotes that vitamin D is involved in the regulation of healthy cell growth, the removal of precancerous and damaged cells, and immune system function. According to theODS, a growing body of research done on cells and animals suggests that vitamin D might play a part in the prevention and treatment of type 1 and type 2 diabetes,hypertension, and multiple sclerosis. And researchers are currently exploring any possible connections between vitamin D deficiency and diseases such as cancer and cardiovascular disease.
The main source of vitamin D is the sun: Our bodies make vitamin D when our skin is exposed to sunlight. You can also get it from eatingfoods rich in vitamin D, such as salmon, sardines, and fortified milk and cereal. But it’s not always easy to get enough from the sun and food alone, and some people may benefit from avitamin D supplement.
Given how important vitamin D is for your health, you should ask your doctor to check your levels the next time you have blood drawn. In the meantime, take this quiz to find out if you might be atrisk of vitamin D deficiency.
