You might be wondering, "What the heck is vitamin D and why do I need it?" Don't worry, we're here to help. Vitamin D is actually a hormone that regulates calcium absorption and phosphorous levels in the body, which are both essential for strong bones.
In addition to helping maintain healthy bones, vitamin D has been studied for its role in supporting overall health, including heart, metabolic, and cellular health. So clearly, this is one nutrients you don't want to be deficient in. Here are 10 signs that you might be low in vitamin D—and what you can do about it.
1. You Always Feel Tired
Do you find yourself struggling to get out of bed in the morning—even after a full night's sleep? Feeling exhausted all the time can be a sign that you're not getting enough vitamin D. In fact, research suggests that fatigue is one of the most commonly reported symptoms associated with low vitamin D levels. If you're always feeling tired, make sure to get your vitamin D levels checked by a doctor.
2. You Get Sick Often
Vitamin D plays an important role in supporting normal immune function, so if you find yourself getting sick more often than usual, it could be a sign that you're deficient in this nutrient. One study found that people who were deficient in vitamin D were more likely to report seasonal illness compared to those who had sufficient levels of the nutrient. So if you're constantly getting sick, get your vitamin D levels checked and consider taking a supplement if necessary.
3. Your Mood Feels Off
Research suggests that vitamin D may play a role in supporting healthy mood. In fact, one study found that people who were deficient in vitamin D were more likely to report low mood than those who had sufficient levels of the nutrient. If you've been feeling down lately, make sure to get your vitamin D levels checked by a doctor. And if they turn out to be low, consider taking a supplement or spending more time outside in the sun (more on that later).
4. You Have Trouble Concentrating or Remembering Things
If you find yourself having trouble concentrating or remembering things, it could be a sign of a deficiency in vitamin D. One study found that people with memory problems were significantly more likely to be deficient in this nutrient than those without memory problems. So if you've been forgetting things more often than usual, make sure to get your vitamin D levels checked and consider taking a supplement if necessary.
5. You Experience Muscle Pain or Weakness
Muscle discomfort and weakness are commonly reported symptoms associated with low vitamin D levels. In fact, one study found that people with muscle pain were more likely to be deficient in this nutrient than those without muscle pain. If you've been experiencing muscle pain or weakness, make sure to get your vitamin D levels checked by a doctor and consider taking a supplement if necessary.
Conclusion:
Vitamin D is an important nutrient that plays a key role in bone health and has also been studied for its role in supporting heart, metabolic, and cellular health. If you're experiencing any of the following 5 signs—fatigue, frequent sicknesses, low mood, difficulty concentrating or remembering things, muscle pain or weakness—you might be low in vitamin D and should get your levels checked by a doctor along with consider taking a supplement.
