Maintaining a proper Vitamin D level is crucial for your mental, physical, and physiological well-being. Americans across the United States are suffering from a multitude of health issues. More than 53 million adults in the United States have or are at risk of developing osteoporosis. 18 million adults have depression which equals to about one in ten. These are just a few numbers and statistics. What do all of these have in common? Studies have shown linking each to a lack of Vitamin D. Vitamin D Deficiency has become an epidemic in the U.S. In the 1930s the U.S government used Vitamin D to cure rickets (a bone disorder in children) however, cases of rickets nowadays aren’t as common but we are still experiencing different illnesses and disorders from a deficiency of vitamin D.

So, what is exactly Vitamin D and why is it so important for our bodies? Vitamin D (known as the sunshine vitamin) is a fat-soluble nutrient. Being that it's a nutrient, we are unable to produce it ourselves and need to absorb it in a multitude of forms. Getting the proper amount through the sun is the most common form. We can also receive vitamin d through our food, and it even to be taken as an oral supplementation. Vitamin D also aids in the absorption of phosphorus, and calcium which are both essential vitamins for bone health. Vitamin D is also extremely important for your immune system. A recent study published in the endocrine Society's Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism revealed that over 80 percent of COVID-19 patients in a hospital in Spain had a low Vitamin D level. Co-Author of the study Dr. Jose L. Hernandez explained that

“Vitamin D treatment should be recommended in COVID-19 patients with low levels of vitamin D circulating in the blood since this approach might have beneficial effects in both the musculoskeletal and the immune system.”

Now, what are some of the risk factors & symptoms of having a low Vitamin D level? Risks include: 

• Being elderly
• Being obese
• Not consuming enough fish or food high in the nutrient
• Suffer from a malabsorption syndrome
• Living far from the equator where there is little sun year-round
• Always using sunscreen when going out
• Staying indoors for long periods of time

Some symptoms can include:

• A tendency of becoming sick often from a weakened immune system
• Extreme exhaustion or fatigue
• Suffer from bone or joint pain
• Depression or mental health changes
• Slower wound healing
• Bone loss
• Muscle pain
• Alopecia 

This is an extremely common, and alarming health concern. The problem is, most symptoms of a lack of this vitamin are completely unaware that they are even deficient. This is from the symptoms being so subtle or not specific. 

So now that you're able to identify symptoms, how exactly do you diagnose and treat this condition? There are a few ways to diagnose, and also treat a vitamin d deficiency. A common way of diagnosing is through a blood test that you can request from your doctor. The test may be encouraged if you have a pre-existing condition that would indicate a possible deficiency. 

There is a slight debate on what is considered an optimal range of vitamin D. It is measured by looking at the blood and seeing the amount of 25-hydroxyvitamin D.(which is vitamin D) and is typically measured in nanograms per milliliter. Quest Diagnostics, responsible for laboratory tests and with several clinics across the country lists on their website that "Vitamin D levels of 30 to 100 ng/mL are considered optimal. Vitamin D levels between 20 and 29 ng/Ml are considered suboptimal" and explains that this can lead to elevated parathyroid hormone levels, which causes secondary hyperparathyroidism) They state again, "Vitamin D levels <20 ng/mL are considered vitamin D deficient." When your level is low, this tells doctors three things

1. You are not getting outdoors enough
2. Your diet does not have enough of the nutrient
3. You are unable to absorb vitamin d properly for numerous reasons.

 Traditionally, to treat you can be put on a vitamin d regimen. With a level below 20, it is recommended to take 42,000 IUS which is measured (international units) of vitamin d2/or vitamin d3 for 8 weeks, or it's equivalent of 6,000 IU of vitamin d 2 or vitamin d 3 daily. Then maintenance of 1500- 2000 IUS daily. Another way to treat this deficiency is by simply going outside, or using the treatment of a UV lamp. SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) can be very common. You experience it the same time every year in the winter months from a lack of sunlight. Some people purchase something called a sun lamp to take in their vitamin They come in all different sizes, and you can set it up at your desk while you work on various tasks.

Or, you can just simply get Vitamin D through what you consume. Fish, such as salmon, trout, or sardines are great choices. Cod liver oil contains the most. One tablespoon equals out to 1,360 (IU) international units per serving. While dairy products are a great source of calcium, they don't contain vitamin D. In some countries like Canada, it's actually mandated to add a certain amount of Vitamin D to milk. However, in the United States, this is not mandated but most manufacturers add it.

As you can see, Vitamin D is extremely crucial and can be responsible for various ailments and illnesses. Evidence has shown that there is a direct correlation. The takeaway from all of this should be that it's important to be aware of what your vitamin d level is, how to diagnose it, and then treat it.