Vitamin D - benefits & deficiency
Vitamin D - benefits & deficiency
It is mainly through the sun that your skin is able to produce vitamin D. About two-thirds of the amount of vitamin D you need every day is produced by your skin through UVB rays. The rest comes from your diet.The following skin complaints can be caused by a vitamin D deficiency and show the importance of this vitamin:
Dull skin
If your skin looks a little greyish and dull, and you suddenly experience dark circles under your eyes, chances are you are suffering from a vitamin D deficiency.
Troubled skin
Vitamin D can reduce certain inflammations in the skin. With a shortage, your body has to make more effort to fight against skin conditions such as acne and rosacea.
Fine lines
Vitamin D serves as an antioxidant that helps prevent fine lines and wrinkles. A vitamin D deficiency accellerates the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines.
Dry skin
Dry, itchy skin can be a major symptom of a vitamin D deficiency. Often on cheeks, chin and forehead. In the worst case, it can cause eczema, because the immune system functions less well.
Sweating faster
Finally, a vitamin D deficiency can cause more perspiration all over the body. This can cause the skin to become dry and irritated, which can accellerate breakouts.
How can you prevent a vitamin D deficiency?
A vitamin D deficiency can be caused by lack of sunlight, but also certain diseases (obesity, intestinal problems such as Crohn's or cystic fibrosis), medication (eg cholesterol lowerers), or too little calcium in your diet can cause vitamin D to be insufficiently absorbed by the body.
People with dark skin are also a risk group when it comes to a lack of vitamin D production. Melanin in the skin functions as a natural protection against sunburn, but limits the speed with which vitamin D can be produced.
To determine whether you have a vitamin D deficiency, you can consult your doctor for a blood test.
A vitamin D deficiency therefore lurks easily, but with sufficient sun and the right nutrition (eg fatty fish, liver, eggs, butter) you can at least ensure that your deficiency remains minimal.
The advice is to be outside with uncovered hands and face for at least fifteen to thirty minutes a day between 11:00 am and 3:00 pm. That is enough for your body to produce the recommended amount of vitamin D. Make sure you have sufficient protection!
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