The world today is fast paced and hectic for most of the people who must live in it. Many are forced to choose between the pressures of their job and the basic need to take time for nutritious meals that will help maintain their skills. Choosing fast foods or energy bars and drinks can produce adverse effects to your health. Awareness of Vitamin D deficiency symptoms and their causes can prove beneficial to health and well being of everyone.

There are several ways to supplement the intake of basic vitamins starting with sitting in the sun. The body can create D vitamins for itself by metabolizing direct sunshine it is exposed to. Many foods contain needed amounts of D vitamins and additional supplements can be purchased over the counter in most stores.

The problem can arise if a person cannot get enough sunshine through illness or obligation to others or if they have darker skin pigmentation and there are some diseases that affect the body's ability to absorb nutrients naturally. Many doctors have difficulty diagnosing this ailment. The specified levels needed vary from study to study and it is difficult to determine the proper amount necessary. The Institute of Medicine has determined what levels are safe for specific age groups according to their nutritional needs. The accepted level rises as people age and senior women are listed at the highest levels.

Doctors list the most common indications of this problem as bone pain and muscle weakness. These signs are very subtle so this malady is often not considered when diagnosis is made. The doctor must ask for specific tests when ordering blood work to determine its existence.

Persons who have suffered from this problem can supply more detailed descriptions of symptomatic issues suffered while living with this dilemma. They will tell you of hair loss, foggy headed feelings and fatigue that can leave them immobile. Some experience hip pain and joint pain that makes it very painful and difficult to get up from a seated position.

Loss of bone density and fractures are common with this condition and women are especially susceptible. Taking calcium tablets that are fortified with D vitamins is highly recommended for all women over forty years of age. Bone density scans are also recommended by most doctors. Many women who suffer from this condition are reported to have multiple falls risking hip fractures over very short periods of time.

Many long term issues have been tied to this malady. Cancers, heart disease and liver problems are being studied to find the links to the shortage of this necessary supplement. Studies are also being conducted that show appropriate levels of D vitamins help prevent multiple sclerosis in women.

Those who follow the vegan diet guidelines are especially susceptible for this problem because the nutrients necessary to prevent it are found in animal based products such as egg yolks, fortified milk, cheese or beef liver. Using daily multiple vitamins is a practice that may benefit every body.