Your Vitamin D level is one of the most important things which need to be checked regularly in a human body. Vitamin D can be obtained through sunlight and also through food. Some of the most common diseases or body malfunctions which arise as a result of improper Vitamin D levels are rickets, osteoporosis and osteomalacia.

What are the consequences of the Vitamin D deficiency?

The lack of vitamin D in the body results in the decrease of absorption of calcium from the intestine. Due to this deficiency in the body, the parathyroid gland gets activated by the blood and thus begins the greater production of the parathyroid hormone. The parathyroid hormone acts harshly over the bones, therefore releasing the calcium and phosphorus from them which can compensate the lack of the body's natural levels. Sometimes, the same hormone acts on the kidney absorbing the phosphorous salts from the urine. These processes occur mainly to compensate with the inadequate Vitamin D levels in the body, thereby normalizing the levels of calcium present in the blood. Calcium in the blood is very vital for instantaneous functioning of the body systems which guarantees life. However, this alternative method leads to demineralization of the bones, which could lead to further complications, especially at a later stage. Therefore, it is recommended by the doctors to maintain the appropriate Vitamin D levels in order to avoid the body seeking to act on its own.

Effect of inappropriate Vitamin D levels in children

Breast fed babies are naturally protected from diseases such as the rickets due to the rich calcium content present in the milk. In the case of the growing children, balanced diet and exposure to sun would be more than enough to maintain adequate Vitamin D levels. Children who have been fed with bottle milk have more probability in acquiring rickets when compared to the children who are breast fed. Same results are observed in children who live in areas that receive very little sun light as compared to those children who have copious exposure to sun light. Other children who have not received the anticonvulsant medication are also vulnerable to the rickets. Premature babies and babies who are born under weight may also suffer from rickets.

What are the symptoms of low Vitamin D levels in seniors?

Vitamin D deficiencies are very common among the adults in comparison to the children. Why does the Vitamin D level decrease in the first place? This happens as a result of many circumstances put together. One major reason is because adolescents neglect the intake of diet that is rich in Vitamin D. When their levels drop down, the process of absorption of the Vitamin D by the intestines is also decreased simultaneously. The other mishaps accompanied along with this are the reduction in the capability of the kidney to activate the pro-vitamin and secondly, the ability of the skin to produce vitamin is reduced by four times. These symptoms are multiplied by manifolds when the person's exposure to sun light is very limited.

Where is the Vitamin D level less?

The Vitamin D level is less in those geographical areas which receive very little sun light. The other diseases that are closely related to the Vitamin D deficiency are diseases such as osteomalacia, osteoporosis and hyperparathyroidism. There can even be several bone fractures in the case of people who are above 50 years due to the demineralization of the bones. The Journal of the American College of Nutrition has released its recent studies in the name of Volume 21 which has showed that aging does not influence the absorption or the metabolism of Vitamin D.

What are the dangers of excess Vitamin D levels in the body?

When people become over enthusiastic and indulge in foods that are highly concentrated in the Vitamin D, they could find themselves in trouble once again. The concentration of calcium and phosphorous salts present in the blood can begin to increase with the increasing intake of foods rich in Vitamin D. Due to this the excess calcium in the blood gets deposited in the soft tissues such as the heart, kidney, lungs and other tissues. Demineralization of bones is a natural process irrespective of the amount of calcium and phosphorous concentration present in the body. The only difference is that the process of demineralization is kept to a minimal pace when the blood is already loaded with sufficient calcium and phosphorous. So, when the blood is already filled with the calcium and phosphorous, the demineralization process adds on some more salts, thereby increasing the concentration of the blood even more. With excess Vitamin D levels, one can face symptoms of vomiting and nauseous sensations.