What are the side effects of vitamin D deficiency?

From the Guidelines

Vitamin D deficiency can cause severe health problems, including bone mineralization diseases, increased risk of fractures, falls, and cardiovascular disease, as well as potential links to cancer, diabetes, and depression.

Common Side Effects of Vitamin D Deficiency

• Bone mineralization diseases, such as rickets in children and osteomalacia in adults 1
• Increased risk of fractures, falls, and cardiovascular disease, particularly in white populations and institutionalized individuals 1
• Potential links to cancer, diabetes, and depression, with some studies suggesting an increased risk with lower 25-(OH)D levels 1

Population Risk

• Approximately 19% of the U.S. population is at risk for vitamin D inadequacy, with 33% having 25-(OH)D levels at 50 nmol/L (20 ng/mL) or less from 2001 to 2006 1
• 77% of the U.S. population had 25-(OH)D levels less than 75 nmol/L (<30 ng/mL) from 2001 to 2004 1

Risk Factors

• Decreased dietary vitamin D intake, absorption, or synthesis due to decreased sun exposure 1
• Dark-skinned individuals and older adults require more sun exposure to produce the same amount of vitamin D as people with less skin pigmentation 1

From the Research

Side Effects of Vitamin D Deficiency

The side effects of vitamin D deficiency can be severe and widespread, affecting various aspects of health. Some of the key side effects include:

• Poor mineralization of bones, leading to growth retardation and bone deformities known as rickets in children 2
• Increased risk of osteoporosis and fractures in adults due to secondary hyperparathyroidism 2
• Painful bone disease of osteomalacia in adults 2, 3, 4
• Muscle weakness, increasing the risk of falling and fractures 2
• Increased risk of type 1 diabetes, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, hypertension, cardiovascular heart disease, and many common deadly cancers 2
• Depression and impaired cognitive function 5
• Increased mortality risk, especially in severely deficient individuals 3
• Cardiovascular disease, metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and cancer 5

Risk Groups

Certain groups are more at risk of vitamin D deficiency, including:

• Pregnant and breastfeeding women 5
• Infants and young children aged 6 months to 5 years 5
• People aged 65 and over 5
• People with darker skin 5
• People with certain gut, liver, or kidney diseases 5
• Individuals with limited sun exposure or low dietary intake of vitamin D 6, 4