Dr Asif Ahmed recommended some people might benefit from making one change for life
Feeling tired and achy regularly could be warning signs your body is lacking essential vitamins. One doctor warns that these issues might be red flags of a serious condition that could lead to “bone deformities.”
British GP Dr Asif Ahmed recently shared the importance of vitamin D in anInstagram video. He also explained what could happen to your body and health if you aren’t getting enough.
He listed some common symptoms that patients often mention, such as fatigue, hair loss, and aches and pains. Combined, these can indicate serious health concerns, including vitamin D deficiency.
A simple blood test can determine if you’re deficient or just have insufficient levels of an essential vitamin or mineral your body needs to function properly. He said: “A vitamin D insufficiency is when you’ve got less than ideal levels of vitamin D. It can cause various, non-specific symptoms. But a deficiency is when your vitamin D is so low it starts to affect bone growth.”
A vitamin D deficiency can affect your bones, leading to related issues like rickets in children and osteomalacia in adults. Dr Ahmed said the treatment often requires “prescription-strength” vitamin D to enhance your levels again.
He added that the “sweet spot” is around 75nmol. Whilst it may seem like a high target, our bodies should do most of the work naturally throughout the day.
Vitamin D deficiency can be less noticeable in adults compared to children. Some potential signs and symptoms include feeling tired, experiencing bone pain, having weak muscles, or dealing with muscle aches and cramps.
You might also notice changes in your mood, such as feeling down or depressed. It’s important to note that some people may not show any signs or symptoms of a vitamin D deficiency at all.
Dr Ahmed added: “Our main source of vitamin D is generally from the sun but also from our food. In the UK winter months, when we have very short days and lack of sunlight, I think most people would benefit from taking a vitamin D supplement. The ideal supplement would be D3, and you’d take about 10mg of it per day.
“For people who work indoors, rarely go outside or have slightly darker skin, it would probably be wise to take that dose throughout the whole year.” According to the NHS website, vitamin D helps regulate the amount of calcium and phosphate in the body, maintaining the health of bones, teeth, and muscles.
Good natural sources of vitamin D:
The NHS claims that most people should be able to make all the vitamin D they need from sunlight. Optimal times of the year include late March/early April to the end of September.
Outside of that timeframe, people might want to consider taking measures to increase the amount of vitamin D entering their bodies. Vitamin D can be found in a small number of foods, such as:
If you are concerned about your vitamin D levels or are experiencing any of the symptoms mentioned, speak to your GP. They can arrange any testing to determine the best course of action for you.
