Description

Vitamin D deficiency, or hypovitaminosis D is defined as a vitamin D level that is below normal. It most commonly occurs in people when they have inadequate sunlight exposure (in particular sunlight with adequate ultraviolet B rays (UVB).^[1] Vitamin D deficiency can also be caused by inadequate nutritional intake of vitamin D, disorders limiting vitamin D absorption, and conditions impairing vitamin D conversion into active metabolites—including certain liver, kidney, and hereditary disorders.^[2] Deficiency impairs bone mineralization, leading to bone softening diseases such as rickets in children. It can also worsen osteomalacia and osteoporosis in adults, leading to an increased risk of bone fractures.^[1][2] Muscle weakness is also a common symptom of vitamin D deficiency, further increasing the risk of fall and bone fractures in adults.^[1] Vitamin D deficiency is associated with the development of schizophrenia.^[3] UVB from sunlight is a large source of vitamin D. Oily fish such as salmon, herring, and mackerel are also sources of vitamin D, as are mushrooms. Milk is often fortified with vitamin D and sometimes bread, juices, and other dairy products are fortified with vitamin D as well. Many multivitamins now contain vitamin D in different amounts.^[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vitamin_D_deficiency