Signs of Vitamin D Deficiency in Senior Citizens

The older you get, the more important getting the right vitamins and nutrients becomes. Without the right amount of essential vitamins and nutrients, it is only a matter of time before a senior citizen starts to experience serious health problems. One of the most important things the human body needs to thrive is the right level of vitamin D.

Vitamin D deficiencies are growing increasingly common in the senior citizen population of the United States. In fact, a recent study found that around 42% of senior citizens in the United States were vitamin D deficient. Recognizing the warning signs of a vitamin D deficiency and taking action is the only way to get this problem under control. If you are vitamin D deficient, you may start to notice some of the problems mentioned below.

Sudden Weight Gain

Did you realize that vitamin D plays a large role in regulating your appetite? People who have lower levels of vitamin D are generally overweight. Higher vitamin D levels have been associated with a reduction in body fat. Many scientists believe that vitamin D helps to control the production of leptin in the body. This is a hormone that reduces fat storage and controls hunger levels.

Severe vitamin D deficiencies in senior citizens can interrupt the signals to the brain that tell a person they are full. This usually leads to overeating, which is soon followed by weight gain. If you are starting to overeat and don’t know why it is time to get your vitamin D levels checked.

Issues Involving a Muscle Weakness

A healthy diet and spending time in the gym can help a senior citizen stay fit and healthy for years to come. If you are working out regularly and feel like your muscles are becoming weaker with each passing day, then you might be experiencing issues caused by a vitamin D deficiency. Low vitamin D levels can also make your bones weaker, which increases the chance of them breaking during rigorous physical activity.

When confronted with this common warning sign, you need to figure out how to get more vitamin D into your body. Spending more time in the sun and taking a quality supplement is a great way to accomplish this goal.

Drastic Changes in Mood

When consumed, vitamin D turns into an active hormone called calcitriol in the human body. Not only does vitamin D help to regulate immune function, it also helps to release dopamine and serotonin into the brain. These neurotransmitters influence your mood. If you have started to notice drastic mood swings, then it might be due to low vitamin D levels. Instead of ignoring this common warning sign, you need to get your vitamin D levels back to normal.

If you are experiencing one or more of the problems mentioned above, it is time do something about it. With the right supplements, you can increase the level of vitamin D in your body.