Even though it could seem unbelievable, sometimes the cure for a disease is in fixing a certain mineral or vitamin deficiency. One of the most common vitamins whose deficiency causes health problems is vitamin D. This deficiency affects millions of people in the West.
8 diseases caused by chronic vitamin D deficiency
- Type-2 diabetes
In 2011, the journal AIDS published a study in which was explained that vitamin D deficiency worsens the symptoms of metabolic syndrome in HIV patients.
According to scientists, people who maintain healthy vitamin D levels through exposure to sunlight or supplementation have a reduced risk of type-2 diabetes.
- Hypertension
A recent study published in the Journal of Investigative Medicine, people who have hypertension can keep it under control by increasing their vitamin D intake. Also, increased levels of this vitamin can relieve vascular inflammation and other issues caused by high blood pressure.
- Rheumatoid arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis and low levels of vitamin D have been strongly linked in one Canadian study where the scientist discovered that people with plasma levels of 25 (OD) D are more prone to rheumatoid arthritis related diseases.
- Asthma
Even though the cause of asthma has not yet been discovered, vitamin D deficiency has already been proven to contribute to its occurrence.
Taking more vitamin D provides noticeable results in reducing the asthma related symptoms and inflammation that cause the breathing difficulties particularly in children.
- Influenza
During the winter period the exposure to sunlight is reduced to a minimum which is why the flu is most common at this time of the year.
Numerous studies have discovered and proven that maintaining ideal levels of vitamin D can help your body prevent and fight the flu.
- Dental cavities
More recent studies show that optimal levels of vitamin d can promote healthy teeth calcification, and the deficiency of this vitamin causes dental cavities.
- Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
Scientists from India, USA and Europe have proven the connection between vitamin D deficiency and frequent occurrence or ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease and other forms of IBS. It was also discovered that people who live in areas with little sunlight are more at a risk of IBD.
- Cancer
People who are deficient in this vitamin have a high risk of all cancer types such as renal, cervical, esophageal, colorectal, prostate, gastric, breast and ovarian cancer. This risk can be reduced by maintaining the perfect levels of vitamin D.