With sweet scents of spring in the air and the breaking sunlight alluring us outside, vitamin D deficiency is the last thing on our minds. Besides, it shouldn’t be an issue since we’re all walking more outside now to shed that winter weight. Right? Actually, vitamin D deficiency might be one of the many reasons why those pounds have seemed so stubborn.The field of bariatric (weight loss) medicine is constantly blooming with new scientific findings. Bariatricians already know there are hundreds of reasons why someone might be struggling with their weight loss, but recently, vitamin D deficiency is being investigated as another biochemical weight-related concern. Since it’s the most common vitamin deficiency and prevalence is on the rise, it should be a big concern to us all. Now physicians also know that vitamin D deficiency is linked to obesity.
Other symptoms associated with vitamin D deficiency: depression, mood swings, forgetfulness, fatigue, weakened immunity, muscle weakness, aches and pains, bone fractures, sleep irregularities, and interference with weight loss.
Things That Decrease Vitamin D Levels:- Clothing- Window Glass (you don't generate vitamin D when sitting in your car or home) - Clouds/Shade- Sunscreen ≥ SPF 8 - Higher Latitude States (UV waves are often not strong enough to make vitamin D from September through May)- Dark Skin (needs to be exposed to the sun longer to make vitamin D)- Age >65 years (4x decrease in vitamin D conversion)- Malabsorptive & Kidney Problems- Lowered Estrogen Levels (menopause)
What Should You Do? - 10-15 minutes of sun exposure in the summer months (early morning and late afternoon) for light skin. Dark skin may need 40 minutes. Of course, too much sun exposure can lead to skin damage and skin cancers. - Dietary intake: there are only a few natural food sources of vitamin D. Therefore, most Americans receive it through fortified food products such as milk and breakfast cereals. Unfortunately, you’d have to drink 10 glasses of fortified milk daily, (1,000 extra calories) to get to minimum levels of vitamin D. Even the, it would still be in a form less readily available to the body.- Vitamin D supplements: Adequate intake of vitamin D vary based on a person’s age, however, current guidelines put the upper limit in persons with no known deficiencies to 2000 IU daily. - If you are having difficulty managing your weight, getting a vitamin D level is strongly advised. See a medical weight loss specialist (bariatrician) to see if vitamin D deficiency or other metabolic and biochemical issues might be holding back your weight loss efforts.
Medical Bariatrics of Lexington in Hamburg is home to Lexington’s only board certified bariatricians that help patients lose weight non- surgically, feel better, and live a healthier happier life in an affordable way. You can call them at (859) 263-SLIM(7546); or learn more about them at http://www.lexingtonkyweightloss.com/
