Signs You Could be Deficient in Vitamin D

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Risk groups

To recap, an insufficient supply of vitamin D can be partly due to seasonal and lifestyle factors. If you're spending most of your time indoors during the colder seasons and not getting out much during the day or not eating foods rich in Vitamin D, you could be at risk for a deficiency in this vital nutrient.

That said, there are some risk groups who may be more vulnerable to this.

• People with naturally dark skin: Due to a higher concentration of melanin in the skin, there is less absorption of UV radiation and therefore less synthesis of vitamin D from exposure to sunlight.
• Elderly people: With increasing age, their bodies are less able to synthesize vitamin D from exposure to sunlight. What's more, seniors actually need more vitamin D as they get age, to protect against disease, weakening bones and organs.
• Pregnant women: Vitamin D needs increase during pregnancy—particularly to help prevent pre-eclampsia, low birthweight and premature birth—so they should regularly have their levels checked with the help of a blood sample.