What Causes A Vitamin D Deficiency?

Not Consuming Enough In Diet

Individuals may also become deficient in vitamin D if they are not consuming enough in their diet. Depending on where individuals live, it can be very difficult to get vitamin D through sunlight, making their diet very important. Cod liver oil and fatty fish are great sources of vitamin D. The fat is important because vitamin D is fat-soluble, which means the body stores excess amounts in fat, rather than peeing it out like with water-soluble vitamins. Eating vitamin D with fat, specifically with something high in omega-3s, helps individuals absorb it better.

There are also other sources of vitamin D, specifically plant-based ones, as there are actually two types of vitamin D: vitamin D3, which is the type humans and animals create, and vitamin D2, the type plants create. Vitamin D3 is far easier for the body to use than vitamin D2, though they're treated equally on nutrition labels. That being said, mushrooms are a great source of vitamin D2. Many foods, such as dairy products, dairy alternatives, and even orange juice, are also fortified with a synthetic version of vitamin D (usually D2 because it's cheaper to create). Of course, individuals may also choose to take vitamin D supplements, though it is crucial to follow directions and not take too much, as this can be just as bad as not getting enough.

Learn more about what may result in a vitamin D deficiency now.