What are the symptoms of a deficiency of vitamins A and D?
Symptoms of vitamin D deficiency can include muscle weakness, pain, fatigue and depression. To get enough D, look to certain foods, supplements, and carefully planned sunlight….Signs and symptoms might include:
- Fatigue.
- Bone pain.
- Muscle weakness, muscle aches, or muscle cramps.
- Mood changes, like depression.
What happens if vitamin A is low?
Vitamin A deficiency can result from inadequate intake, fat malabsorption, or liver disorders. Deficiency impairs immunity and hematopoiesis and causes rashes and typical ocular effects (eg, xerophthalmia, night blindness). Diagnosis is based on typical ocular findings and low vitamin A levels.
What happens when vitamin D is too low?
Vitamin D deficiency can lead to a loss of bone density, which can contribute to osteoporosis and fractures (broken bones). Severe vitamin D deficiency can also lead to other diseases. In children, it can cause rickets. Rickets is a rare disease that causes the bones to become soft and bend.
What is the function of vitamin A and D?
Fat-soluble vitamins
| Nutrient | Function |
|---|---|
| Vitamin A (and its precursor*, beta-carotene) *A precursor is converted by the body to the vitamin. | Needed for vision, healthy skin and mucous membranes, bone and tooth growth, immune system health |
| Vitamin D | Needed for proper absorption of calcium; stored in bones |
What happens if your vitamin D level is too low?
Vitamin D deficiency — when the level of vitamin D in your body is too low — can cause your bones to become thin, brittle or misshapen. Vitamin D also appears to play a role in insulin production and immune function — and how this relates to chronic disease prevention and cancer — but this is still being investigated.
How old do you have to be to have a vitamin D deficiency?
For most adults, vitamin D deficiency is not a concern. However, some groups — particularly people who are obese, who have dark skin and who are older than age 65 — may have lower levels of vitamin D due to their diets, little sun exposure or other factors.
Why does vitamin D deficiency cause lower back pain?
For one, it improves your body’s absorption of calcium. Bone pain and lower back pain may be signs of inadequate vitamin D levels in the blood. Large observational studies have found a relationship between a deficiency and chronic lower back pain (15, 16, 17).
What foods to eat if you have vitamin D deficiency?
To meet this level, choose foods that are rich in vitamin D. For example, choose fatty fish, such as salmon, trout, tuna and halibut, which offer higher amounts of vitamin D, or fortified foods, such as milk and yogurt. Don’t overdo it, though.