It is very important to get the recommended dose of all the vitamins the body needs to stay in optimal condition throughout the day. Experiencing a deficiency of one of them, like vitamin D for instance, can affect a person in many ways, including their moods.
Express reports that a lack of vitamin D may result in changes in mood, and depression is caused by a lack of this vitamin. Many studies about the possible link between depression and vitamin D deficiency appear to confirm the association. The researchers found that how much vitamin D a person has can determine their chances of suffering from depression later on in life. This would be a possible reason as to why many people in the northern hemisphere suffer from “winter blues” due to not being able to get any sunlight throughout the season.
Vitamin D is known as the sunshine vitamin, as sunlight helps the body produce vitamin D to keep the bones, teeth, and muscles healthy. A deficiency of this vitamin can result in bone deformities as well as muscle problems like arthritis, as Express also reports. Some research has shown that vitamin D plays an important role in joint health, and a lack of this vitamin can lead to a higher risk of rheumatic problems. Studies have found that patients who suffer from osteoarthritis in the hip and knee have low levels of vitamin D in the blood.
Other studies have also backed this up, with one study, in particular, involving 2,000 people found that a vitamin D deficiency was linked to disabling symptoms with rheumatoid arthritis. It bears noting even further that vitamin D has been linked to diffuse musculoskeletal pain.
Other symptoms of vitamin D deficiency include pain, infections, weak bones, and gastrointestinal problems. Fortunately, there is a way to get the recommended dose of this vitamin, through diet and supplements. Fatty or oily fish like salmon is a good natural source of vitamin D, along with fortified milk, cereal, and juice. Exposure to sunlight is also a good way to get the recommended dose of vitamin D, but it is highly advised to wear proper sun protection when staying out in the sun for a prolonged period of time.