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Vitamin D deficiency warning – the seven key symptoms of the condition during lockdown

Vitamin D is crucial to the overall health of the body, as it helps to keep muscles, bones and teeth healthy, said the NHS. You could be at risk of the condition if you start to develop any of these seven key warning signs during the government-imposed COVID-19 lockdown.

The vitamin is needed to regulate the amount of calcium and phosphate in the body.

A lack of vitamin D can lead to serious complications, including osteomalacia, rickets, or some deformities.

You could be at risk of the condition if you find that you’re constantly feeling under the weather, or fatigued.

It could also lead to weak muscles, aching joints, and even poor wound healing.

Seeing as people aren’t spending as much time outdoors during the coronavirus lockdown, everyone is more likely to develop a vitamin D deficiency, according to Thriva medical director, Dr Vishal Shah.

He urged the public to make sure they’re fully topped up on the so-called ‘sunshine vitamin’.

“Your body is able to make all the vitamin D you need when your skin is exposed to sunlight,” Dr Shah told Express Health.

“But with stay-at-home measures in place, it’s likely we’re all not getting enough sunlight — putting you at risk of developing a deficiency.

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“We know from Thriva [which offers at-home blood tests to monitor your own vitamin D levels] data that over a third of people have vitamin D deficiency under normal conditions, so it’s really crucial that we make the effort to maintain or increase our levels during lockdown.

“The most common symptoms of vitamin D deficiency include getting sick often, feeling tired, aching bones and joints, weak bones, poor wound healing, weak muscles, and depression.”

A vitamin D deficiency could increase your chances of developing cardiovascular disease, asthma in children, or even some cancers, it’s been claimed.

The government has advised the public to continue taking a 10mcg supplement of vitamin D during the lockdown.

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Those most at risk of a vitamin D deficiency are the elderly, people that are overweight, and those that rarely venture outside.

Everyone should aim for between 8.5 and 10mcg of vitamin D in a single day, said the NHS.

During the winter months, the sun isn’t strong enough for your body to make vitamin D.

It’s therefore usually recommended that everyone takes vitamin D supplements during these months to increase the amount in their diet.

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A 10mcg supplement should be enough to help you avoid vitamin D deficiency symptoms.

If you’re not a big fan of taking vitamin D supplements, you can always increase your vitamin D intake through your diet.

The best sources of vitamin D include oily fish, liver and egg yolks.

But, certain foods can be fortified to include more vitamin D than normal.

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