Vitamin D Deficiency Treatment in Sterling, VA
Why Is Vitamin D Important?
Vitamin D is a fat soluble vitamin found in a variety of places. We consume it in the dairy products we eat and drink. Eggs and certain kinds of fish are an abundant source. We even absorb it through our skin by spending time outdoors in direct sunlight.
The most important benefit of vitamin D is that it keeps our bones healthy and strong. Without enough of this vital nutrient, we could develop a condition known as rickets where the bones become soft and possibly deformed.
Aside from your bone health, research now suggests that a vitamin D deficiency can play a role in the development of several illnesses including cardiovascular disease , severe asthma in children, and mental deterioration in the elderly. A vitamin D deficiency can also inhibit your abilities to fight off diseases you already have. Fortunately, a vitamin D deficiency is relatively simple to overcome with the help of a healthcare practitioner. To meet with a practitioner in Sterling who can provide effective vitamin D deficiency treatment, call (703) 822-5003 or contact Proactive Wellness Center online.
Vitamin D Deficiency Causes
There are many reasons why you may not receive enough vitamin D. Factors that could contribute to lower amounts of vitamin D in your body include:
- Lack of exposure to sunlight
- Darker skin; melanin inhibits your ability to convert sunlight into vitamin D
- A vegan diet
- Problems with your digestive system such as Crohn's disease , cystic fibrosis, and celiac disease which prevent proper absorption of vitamin D from the foods you eat
- Kidney problems
- Body mass index at 30 or above; fat cells pull vitamin D from the blood stream, preventing it from reaching other parts of your body
- Pregnancy; vitamin D demands increase during pregnancy
Vitamin D Deficiency Symptoms
Some people experiencing a vitamin D deficiency may experience fatigue, weakness or general aches and pain, making it difficult to pinpoint a vitamin D deficiency as the culprit of your discomfort. For others, a deficiency may have no initial symptoms at all.
As the deficiency progresses, more severe symptoms include worsening bone pain and weakness which inhibits regular activity.
Vitamin D Deficiency Diagnosis and Treatment
The easiest way for your healthcare practitioner to determine if you are vitamin D deficient is to perform a blood test which checks the vitamin D levels in your bloodstream. If a deficiency is found, your doctor may recommend a combination of dietary changes and supplements to bring your vitamin D levels back to normal (a level between 40-50ng/ml is considered adequate). This is especially important in patients aged 70 and older, because at that stage of life, the necessary levels of vitamin D increase.
In addition to preventing rickets, vitamin D supplementation can be used to prevent or treat a number of other conditions:
- Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes
- Hypertension
- Glucose intolerance
- Multiple sclerosis
It is also important to supplement vitamin D after bariatric surgery such as the gastric sleeve, gastric bypass or duodenal switch procedures, as nutrient absorption and caloric intake are limited, increasing the likelihood of a deficiency to manifest.
Vitamin D supplementation should only be implemented under the recommendation of a healthcare practitioner who can test your vitamin D levels and recommend a dosing appropriate for your health needs. To schedule a consultation with a healthcare practitioner in Sterling who specializes in vitamin D therapy, call (703) 822-5003 or contact Proactive Wellness Center online.
Proactive Wellness Center
Address
8229 Boone BlvdSuite 280
Vienna, VA 22182
(703) 822-5003
www.proactivwellnesscenters.com
Hours
Mon:
10:00 am - 5:00 pm
Tue:
10:00 am - 5:00 pm
Wed:
10:00 am - 5:00 pm
Thu:
10:00 am - 5:00 pm
Fri:
10:00 am - 5:00 pm