Does lack of sun cause vitamin D deficiency?
Vitamin D deficiency is most commonly caused by a lack of exposure to sunlight. Some disorders can also cause the deficiency. The most common cause is lack of exposure to sunlight, usually when the diet is deficient in vitamin D, but certain disorders can also cause the deficiency.
How long do you need to be outdoors to get enough vitamin D?
Regular sun exposure is the most natural way to get enough vitamin D. To maintain healthy blood levels, aim to get 10–30 minutes of midday sunlight, several times per week. People with darker skin may need a little more than this.
What happens if you don’t get enough vitamin D?
A lack of vitamin D reduces calcium absorption, which can lead to osteoporosis. That’s why adequate levels of vitamin D are key for optimal bone health. Osteomalacia is most often caused by severe vitamin D deficiency and is characterized by the softening of the bones.
What is vitamin D deficiency and how do you treat it?
What is vitamin D deficiency? Vitamin D deficiency means that you do not have enough vitamin D in your body. Vitamin D is unique because your skin actually produces it by using sunlight. Fair-skinned individuals and those who are younger convert sunshine into vitamin D far better than those who are darker-skinned and over age 50.
Who is at risk for low vitamin D levels?
People who are homebound—such as those in nursing facilities—or who otherwise don’t get much sun exposure are at risk for having a low vitamin D level.
What are the causes of hypovitamin D deficiency?
This pandemic of hypovitaminosis D can mainly be attributed to lifestyle (for example, reduced outdoor activities) and environmental (for example, air pollution) factors that reduce exposure to sunlight, which is required for ultraviolet-B (UVB)-induced vitamin D production in the skin.