What adverse effects can vitamin D deficiency have on our health?

Vitamin D is the name for the whole group of vitamins D. The most important ones are ergocalciferol or vitamin D2 and cholecalciferol, which we call vitamin D3. Ergocalciferol is found in foods of plant origin, cholecalciferol is present in foods of animal origin.

What are the effects of vitamin D?

The importance of vitamin D lies in its supporting function in the absorption of calcium and phosphorus in the intestine. It has an impact on immunity, the state of our cognitive functions, bone and dental health, blood sugar levels and, last but not least, our mood. Supplementing vitamin D to optimal levels can have a preventive effect in heart disease, diabetes or multiple sclerosis. Especially in the winter and spring months, almost 50% of our population suffers from vitamin D deficiency.

1) Strengthens immunity

Vitamin D prevents chronic or excessive inflammatory reactions. Its effect in combating and preventing acute respiratory diseases is significant. Inflammation is a common cause of many chronic diseases of civilisation and autoimmune disorders such as multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, irritable bowel syndrome, Crohn's disease and many others. Regular consumption of foods containing vitamin D will help your immunity.

2) It has an effect on memory, concentration and mood

Vitamin D acts in the body as a hormone affecting brain function. It also has an effect on decision making, concentration and memory. It also helps the synthesis of proteins needed for the survival of brain cells in old age, and is important in the prevention of age-related dementia and in some neurological diseases. Vitamin D deficiency is associated with an increased incidence of mood disorders including depression, mood swings during PMS, insomnia and anxiety.

3) Acts on bone and dental health

Calciferol plays a role in the absorption of calcium into the bones and helps maintain calcium levels. In addition, it acts on other important vitamins and minerals that contribute to bone health, such as vitamin K2 (menaquinone), magnesium, and phosphorus. Vitamin D deficiency can cause softening of the bones or bone deformity, called curvature, increasing the risk of osteoporosis, tooth loss and more frequent bone fractures, especially in the elderly. It is essential during pregnancy for proper fetal development, for children during growth, and also for the elderly.

4) Affects blood sugar levels

Vitamin D helps control blood sugar levels and may prevent the development of diabetes (diabetes). This vitamin affects the absorption of calcium, which is also necessary for insulin secretion, which maintains proper blood sugar levels and acts as a preventative against the onset of diabetes. People with low vitamin D levels had twice the risk of developing type 2 diabetes compared to those with sufficient vitamin D levels. It is therefore preventive against the development of diabetes.

5) Vitamin D deficiency affects heart disease, cancer and other diseases

Vitamin D is involved in the regulation of blood pressure, cholesterol levels and has an effect on resistance to inflammation. Vitamin D deficiency is therefore associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease in patients with diabetes. In fact, studies show that people with diabetes who have low vitamin D levels are more likely to die from coronary heart disease and other symptoms related to heart disease. Conversely, getting enough vitamin D can relieve back pain, such as in Bechterev's disease.

How much vitamin D do we need daily?

Worldwide, up to one billion people are vitamin D deficient. In the European population, it is estimated that at least 30-50% of people are vitamin D deficient. This also varies according to the season. Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin. The human body produces it from cholesterol if it receives sufficient amounts of UV radiation from the sun. At our latitude, the UV radiation needed to produce vitamin D3 is available for a maximum of 6 months of the year.

If there is not enough or we are unable to indulge in at least 20 minutes in direct sunlight twice a week, without sunscreen and without the influence of clothing, it needs to be replenished. Vitamin D can also be supplemented through diet and food supplements, e.g. in drops (for children) or capsules. It is mainly found in fish, and to a lesser extent in milk, butter, egg yolk and pork fat.

Vitamin D supplements should ideally contain vitamin D3. The recommended daily allowance for an adult is 1 000 IU (25 µg - 25 micrograms).

Daily dose of vitamin D according to the National Institute of Health

According to the State Institute of Health (SZU), a daily dose of 30 micrograms or more is needed to achieve optimal blood levels of vitamin D.

Daily dose of vitamin D according to EFSA 

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) states the required daily dose of vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) in the diet or supplementation for an adult is 15 µg/day (600 IU/day). Some experts recommend a daily dose of 25 µg/day (1 000 IU/day) of vitamin D in winter.

Thus, the recommended daily dose of vitamin D varies between 15 and 30 µg/day. Again, many factors play into this - lifestyle, body composition, geographical conditions or immune status.

Can a person overdose on vitamin D?

Simple answer: Yes. Hypervitaminosis (a condition where there is an abnormally high level of a particular vitamin in the body) is mainly seen in humans when overdosing on dietary supplements. It leads to hypercalcaemia (i.e. an increased concentration of calcium in the blood) and subsequently to soft tissue calcification - damage to the heart and kidneys. As such, sun exposure never causes overdose (hypervitaminosis).

When is vitamin D testing recommended?

A vitamin D test is recommended:

• when there is insufficient exposure to the sun,
• calcium deficiency,
• for thinning/deformation of bones (e.g. Bechterev's disease),
• in obese patients,
• intestinal diseases,
• severe liver disorders,
• symptoms such as hypotonia, irritability, anorexia, polyuria or polydipsia,
• in cases of high exercise and exertion,
• in case of depression,
• lack of concentration.

If you have at least some of the above points, there is nothing easier than choosing an appointment, collection point and booking time for a vitamin D level screening.

Vitamin D as prevention of respiratory disease

Vitamin D is further involved in a number of key processes in the body. Modern medicine has revealed that it is not only responsible for calcium metabolism in the body, but is also significantly involved in promoting immune response. It has anti-inflammatory and immunoregulatory properties and is crucial for activating the immune system. It enhances the function of immune cells, including T-cells and m(acrophages, which protect the body from pathogens.

Optimal levels of vitamin D will help the body fight viral and bacterial infections, better cope with respiratory disease, asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Medical studies have even confirmed the effectiveness of vitamin D in preventing the severe course of COVID-19. Optimal levels of vitamin D also increase the body's ability to destroy tumor cells. Vitamin D deficiency in the body is detected by a simple laboratory test that measures plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels.

How are vitamin D levels tested?

Make an appointment with us for a Vitamin D Test conveniently online without the need for an exchange ticket. Choose the date and time that works best for you. You have a choice of over 20 collection points in Slovakia. Your results will arrive via SMS with an interactive link within 2 working days. You will then also find them on our website sk.unilabs.online in your personal profile.