What Causes Low Vitamin D?
August 2, 2023 | by Yashaswi Pathakamuri | Posted in FAQ's
Low vitamin D levels can be caused by a variety of factors. Some of the common reasons include:
- Inadequate sun exposure: Vitamin D is often referred to as the “sunshine vitamin” because our skin can produce it when exposed to sunlight. People who spend limited time outdoors, live in regions with little sunlight, or cover their skin with clothing or sunscreen may not get enough sun exposure to synthesize sufficient vitamin D.
- Diet: Vitamin D is found in certain foods, such as fatty fish (salmon, mackerel, tuna), beef liver, egg yolks, and fortified foods like milk and cereal. If someone has a diet low in these sources, they may not be getting enough vitamin D from their food intake.
- Malabsorption issues: Certain medical conditions like celiac disease, Crohn’s disease, and other gastrointestinal disorders can impair the absorption of vitamin D from the diet. This can lead to low levels of vitamin D in the body, even if an individual is consuming enough through their diet or supplements.
- Obesity: Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin, which means it is stored in body fat. People with obesity may have lower levels of vitamin D because it gets sequestered in the fat tissue and is less available for use by the body.
- Kidney and liver problems: The activation of vitamin D occurs in the liver and kidneys. If someone has liver or kidney disease, it can affect the synthesis and conversion of vitamin D, leading to lower levels in the body.
- Aging: As people age, their skin becomes less efficient at producing vitamin D, and the ability to absorb and utilize it from dietary sources may also decrease.
- Genetic factors: Some individuals may have genetic variations that affect how their bodies produce, use, or absorb vitamin D, leading to lower levels.
- Medications: Certain medications, like anticonvulsants and glucocorticoids, can interfere with vitamin D metabolism and contribute to deficiency.
- Dark skin: People with darker skin have more melanin, which can reduce the skin’s ability to produce vitamin D from sunlight.
If you suspect you have low vitamin D levels or are at risk of deficiency, it’s important to consult with a healthcare professional. They can perform blood tests to measure your vitamin D levels and recommend appropriate supplementation or lifestyle changes to address any deficiencies.