Treatment for Vitamin D Deficiency

Vitamin D deficiency is a fast growing problem, observed worldwide, in children as well as adults. Vitamin D is very essential for the body as it plays a key role in calcium absorption, maintaining bone density and in preventing chronic diseases like osteoporosis, type 1 diabetes, multiple sclerosis and arthritis. Its deficiency can lead to birth defects, autoimmune diseases, hypertension and heart diseases. Vitamin D is a nutrient as well as a hormone. Severe vitamin D deficiency in children causes rickets, while in adults it causes a condition known as osteomalacia. Therefore, treating vitamin D deficiency is important, as it can have serious implications. The best source of vitamin D is sunlight, but it can also be obtained through the consumption of natural foods that are a source of it, as well as through supplementation.

Vitamin D Deficiency - Causes and Symptoms

Causes
Vitamin D deficiency can be caused due to insufficient intake of the nutrients through food, insufficient exposure to direct sunlight, due to certain disorders that hamper its absorption (like disorders of the liver and kidney), conditions that do not allow its conversion into active hormones and factors related to body characteristics, like obesity and skin color. The requirement for vitamin D increases with increasing age and the excessive use of sunscreen disallows its synthesis through the skin.

Symptoms
Vitamin D deficiency is characterized by weakened bones and muscles, muscle pain, low immunity and energy levels, fatigue, irregular sleep, depression and mood swings. Since the bones are extremely weak and fragile, even the slightest injury to the bones can result in a fracture. The diagnosis of vitamin D deficiency can be established by measuring the 25(OH)D (active vitamin D hormone) levels.

Treatment
Vitamin d deficiency treatment can be administered in different ways and these can also be combined in case of a severe vitamin D deficiency. Vitamin D is found in two main forms, namely - ergocalciferol (D2) and cholecalciferol (D3). Those diagnosed with vitamin D deficiency are treated to obtain an equal level of these two forms of the nutrient in the body. The different methods of vitamin D deficiency treatment are as follows:

• Sunlight Exposure: This method of vitamin D deficiency treatment is also known as ultraviolet (UV) B radiation. Direct sunlight is the most natural and the best source of vitamin D. Daily exposure to direct sunlight, of about 20 minutes, can be very helpful in treating and preventing vitamin D deficiency. Vitamin D3 is absorbed by the skin when it is exposed to sunlight, which is converted into active hormones or metabolites by the kidney.
• Dietary Intake: Vitamin D deficiency can be prevented, and the treatment can be made effective by the consumption of natural foods that are a rich source of vitamin D. These include foods like eggs, beef liver, fish and fish oils (like cod liver oil), cow's milk, soy milk, etc.
• Dietary Supplementation: Dietary supplements or vitamin supplements are available in the form of vitamin D2 and vitamin D3 supplements, for the treatment of vitamin D deficiency. Vitamin D2 is manufactured by irradiating ergosterol through UV, while vitamin D3 is manufactured by chemically converting cholesterol and irradiating 7-dehydrocholesterol from lanolin.
• Artificial Ultraviolet B Radiation: This form of treatment is administered to those who do not have access to direct sunlight. Exposure to ultraviolet B radiation, created by artificial light sources, works as a substitute for direct sunlight exposure, and allows the synthesis of vitamin D by the skin.
• Medication:There are two lines of treatment namely medication and injections. The daily requirement of vitamin D by the body of 1,000 IU and this can be obtained from these medicines and injections. Medicines can also be taken in the form of multivitamins.

All the above mentioned forms of treatment for vitamin D deficiency, should be taken after consultation and under the advise of a medical practitioner. It is advisable to not indulge in a self treatment, as an overdose of vitamin D can result in serious health hazards as well.