Health Effects of Low Vitamin D
Vitamin D is a hormone that controls calcium levels in the blood. It is crucial for bone and muscle development, and for preventing osteoporosis. Vitamin D deficiency may not result in any obvious symptoms, but without treatment it can have significant health effects and increase a person’s risk of musculoskeletal conditions, such as:
- Bone and muscle pain
- Rickets (soft, weakened bones) in children
- Osteopenia (weak, fragile bones) in older adults
Low vitamin D has also been linked to an increased risk of:
- Multiple sclerosis
- Diabetes (type 1 and type 2)
- Various types of cancers (particularly colon cancer)
- Heart disease
- Mental health conditions (including schizophrenia)
- Worse outcomes in stroke
- Altered immunity and other autoimmune diseases
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