Vitamin D is one of the most vital nutrients required for the body to function properly. It helps in the absorption of calcium from food, strengthens the bones and improves the immune system.
Vitamin D is unique because it is not readily available in most foods and is produced in the body when the skin is exposed to sunlight. However, many people struggle to maintain optimal levels of vitamin D due to various reasons. Losing vitamin D from the body is as natural as its production. This article explores how your body loses vitamin D.
1. Exposure to UV rays
Vitamin D is produced in the body when the skin is exposed to sunlight, particularly ultraviolet B (UVB) rays. However, when you expose your skin to the sun too long, your body breaks down vitamin D to avoid toxicity.
Therefore, spending too much time in the sun without adequate protection can lead to the loss of vitamin D from the body. Similarly, during winter, when there is less sunlight, the body loses some vitamin D even when exposure to the sun is optimal.
2. Obesity
Obesity is a significant factor that can lead to the loss of vitamin D in the body. The fat cells tend to absorb vitamin D, making it unavailable for the other organs that need it.
For this reason, obese individuals tend to have lower vitamin D levels than their slimmer counterparts.
3. Aging
As we age, our ability to produce and absorb vitamin D declines. The kidneys and liver function less effectively, which impacts their capacity to convert vitamin D into its active form.
Additionally, the skin loses some of its efficiency in producing vitamin D when exposed to sunlight, leading to the gradual loss of this vital nutrient.
4. Dark Skin
People with dark skin have melanin, which is a natural sunscreen. While this protects the skin against the harmful UVB rays, it also reduces the skin’s ability to produce vitamin D.
It requires more exposure to sunlight to develop an equivalent amount of vitamin D than lighter-skinned individuals, which predisposes people with darker skin to a deficiency of vitamin D.
5. Gastrointestinal Disorders and Conditions
Malabsorption, Crohn’s disease, celiac disease are just a few examples of gastrointestinal disorders that impact nutrient absorption. Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin absorbed in the digestive tract.
However, these disorders can reduce the amount of vitamin D absorbed by the body. Additionally, some individuals who have had gastric bypass surgery are at risk of losing vitamin D due to the change in their digestive system.
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6. Use of Topical Creams
Topical creams are applied to the skin, where vitamin D can be absorbed through the pores. While topical creams are useful in the treatment of skin conditions like psoriasis, using them for extended periods can lead to vitamin D loss from the body.
The creams tend to block the ultraviolet radiation, which is essential for the synthesis of vitamin D in the skin.
7. Kidney and Liver Disorders
Kidney and liver disorders, such as liver failure or chronic kidney disease, can impact the body’s ability to convert vitamin D into its active form. This process occurs primarily in the liver and kidneys.
However, in individuals with impaired function in these organs, this process may not happen optimally, leading to the depletion of vitamin D in the body.
8. Medications
Some medications can lead to the loss of vitamin D from the body. For instance, some anticonvulsants like phenobarbital and phenytoin can interfere with the absorption of vitamin D.
Similarly, some medications like glucocorticoids used to treat asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) can lead to vitamin D deficiency.
9. Breastfeeding Infants
Breastfed babies whose mothers have low levels of vitamin D are at risk of losing vitamin D. Infants who are exclusively breastfed depend on their mother’s milk for vitamins, including vitamin D.
However, if the mother’s milk has low levels of vitamin D, the infant’s levels will also be insufficient.
10. Strict Vegan Diet
Individuals who adhere to a strict vegan diet may struggle to meet their vitamin D requirements and eventually lose this vital nutrient. Vegan diets do not have many foods rich in vitamin D, such as fish and egg yolks.
While many vegan diets are fortified with vitamin D, the levels may not be sufficient, leading to a deficiency.
Conclusion
Vitamin D is a significant nutrient that plays a crucial role in various bodily functions. However, losing vitamin D from the body is a natural process and can be due to many factors, such as age, obesity, and exposure to UV rays.
Understanding these factors can help you take informed measures to maintain optimal levels of vitamin D.
