5 Health risks that arise from a Vitamin D deficiency - Long term health problems like cancer, heart diseases
New Delhi: Sunlight is a rich source of Vitamin D, and almost everyone is aware of the general fact. But how many of us actually spend time in the sun to absorb the vitamin? According to a study published by the National centre of Biotechnology, USA, and undertaken by Indian researchers, the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency ranges from 40% to 99% in the Indian population, with most of the studies reporting a prevalence of 80-90% of population with a vitamin D deficiency. Therefore, it is important to understand the seriousness of the problem.
Vitamin D deficiency is just as bad as any other deficiency in the body. It mainly affects the strength, stamina, and immunity of the body and here are a few health risks you are subjected to if you are diagnosed with the deficiency.
Vitamin D deficiency and heart diseases
Various studies, including one published in Circulation Research in 2014, linked vitamin D deficiency with heart disease and complications. Various health problems like atherosclerosis, hypertension, diabetes, and stroke can stem from a vitamin D deficiency.
Vitamin D deficiency and prostate cancer
A study published in the journal Clinical Cancer Research in May 2014 found a link between low levels of Vitamin D in the blood and aggressive prostate cancer in European-American and African-American men. Vitamin D deficient men were more in number to be tested positive than the ones who had regular levels of Vitamin D.
Vitamin D deficiency and risk of Schizophrenia
According to a review published in October 2014 in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, people who are Vitamin D deficient may be twice as likely to be diagnosed with Schizophrenia compared to people with sufficient and normal Vitamin D levels.
Vitamin D deficiency and Erectile Dysfunction
Vitamin D deficiency is also linked to severe erectile dysfunction in men. A study conducted on a sample size of around 140 people showed that men who had vitamin D deficiency had severe erectile dysfunction as compared to people with no or less vitamin deficiency. Erectile dysfunction is becoming more prevalent in young men all around the world.
Vitamin D deficiency and dementia
People with vitamin D deficiency are on almost a double risk of dementia, including Alzheimer's disease. Dementia involves a declined power of memory, reason, thinking, and behaviour that can affect both personal and professional lives of an individual.