Vitamin D deficiency can be determined by looking for vitamin D deficiency symptoms in women. Prolonged deficiency of vitamin D can result in a number of different medical disorders. Vitamin D deficiency symptoms in women must be noticed as soon as possible to avoid any complications in the future and to keep yourself healthy.
What is Vitamin D
Before i talk about the deficiency symptoms, let’s first talk about what vitamin D is and how it works inside our body to keep us healthy.Vitamin D is a water-insoluble vitamin which can be stored inside our body for a relatively longer period of time. We can ingest vitamin D as vitamin D2 (also called ergocalciferol) and vitamin D3 (also named cholecalciferol).
Our skin has the ability to synthesize vitamin D during sufficient exposure to sunshine. The ultra-violet rays from the sun help convert the “cholesterol-like” compounds into vitamin D.
How Does Vitamin D Help Our Body
The major benefit of vitamin D is that it helps our body maintain healthy and strong bones. Also, vitamin D helps prevent osteoporosis and osteomalacia (also called Rickets in children).
Symptoms of Vitamin D Deficiency in Women
Vitamin D deficiency symptoms include the following:
- Congestive heart failure
- Asthma – restriction of bronchi, making it difficulty to breathe
- Depression
- Kidney diseases – various kinds of kidney diseases indicate vitamin D deficiency
- Muscle weakness
- Cognitive impairment
- Cancer
- Weak immune system – leading to frequent infections
 Sources of Vitamin D
Symptoms listed above regarding Vitamin D deficiency, in women, can be easily relived by obtaining some amounts of vitamin D from the following sources.
Vitamin D Source – Sun
Major source of vitamin D is the sun. If we just take a walk outside when its sunny, we can usually get enough vitamin D required by our body. During winter times, however, we need to make sure that our diet meets the daily minimum vitamin D requirements. If not, vitamin D supplements must be taken to prevent vitamin d deficiency related medical disorders in the future.
Vitamin D Source – Fish
Fatty fish species, especially Salmon and Mackerel, are a great source of vitamin D. However, it is important to know where your fish comes from. Lakes are rivers are a common sources of fish and they are also easily contaminated by toxic chemicals released by industries. Ministry of Health of most countries usually list the maximum number of fishes which can be consumed per month, form a specific are.
Vitamin D Source – Eggs
Eggs are another major source of vitamin D. Egg yolk, particularly, is vitamin rich.
Apart from the sources listed above, cod liver oil, mushrooms and beef liver are also a great source of vitamin D. A well balanced diet, consisting of adequate amounts of vitamin D, will helps reduce the symptoms of vitamin D deficiency in women.