When your body doesn’t obtain enough of a vitamin called D, vitamin D insufficiency results. It is significant since everyone is susceptible to it and because it keeps your bones strong.
Reason,why women faces Vitamin-D deficiency:
- Hormonal Factors: Throughout their lives, women’s bodies experience major hormonal changes, such as those that occur during puberty, pregnancy, and menopause. Women are more likely to experience vitamin D deficiency because of these hormonal changes that might impact vitamin D metabolism and absorption.
- Pregnancy and Breastfeeding:To promote the growth of the fetus, a woman’s body need more vitamin D throughout pregnancy. To provide their babies enough vitamin D when breastfeeding, women may also need to consume more vitamin D. This may cause a woman’s vitamin D reserves to further decline.
- Clothing Choices: Compared to men, women frequently cover more of their skin with clothing due to cultural and socioeconomic considerations. The body’s capacity to make this crucial vitamin through sun exposure is hampered when skin is covered. Sun exposure is the body’s main source of vitamin D.
- Skin Pigmentation: Melanin levels are higher in those with darker skin, which might inhibit the skin’s production of vitamin D when exposed to sunshine. Vitamin D deficiency may be more common in women with darker skin.
- Dietary Choices: Women who follow tight diets or have dietary limitations, in particular, may not consume enough vitamin D-rich foods such fatty fish, fortified dairy products, and fortified cereals. This can cause them to eat inadequately.
- Bone Health: Women are more prone to osteoporosis, a condition characterized by weakened bones, than men. Adequate vitamin D is essential for calcium absorption and bone health. Vitamin D deficiency can exacerbate bone-related issues in women.
- Age-Related Factors: Women’s skin’s capacity to synthesize vitamin D declines with age, and they could spend less time outside, which might worsen deficiencies.
- Geographical Location: People with a greater risk of vitamin D insufficiency may reside in areas with less sunlight, such as northern latitudes. Maintaining optimal vitamin D levels may be more difficult for women who live in certain places.
- Lifestyle Factors: Women frequently work in indoor environments and engage in indoor activities, which can limit their exposure to the sun. Further restricting the skin’s capacity to synthesize vitamin D is the usage of sunscreen due to worries about skin cancer.
- Chronic Health Conditions: The body’s capacity to absorb vitamin D can be hampered by a number of chronic health disorders, including obesity, Crohn’s disease, and celiac disease. Although they may be more vulnerable to their effects, women are not immune to these disorders.
Food for Vitamin-D deficiency:
Fatty Fish: Fish like salmon, mackerel, tuna, and sardines are excellent sources of vitamin D. A 3.5-ounce (100-gram) serving of cooked salmon can provide up to 570 IU (14 mcg) of vitamin D.
Cod Liver Oil: Just one tablespoon of cod liver oil can provide over 1,300 IU (32.5 mcg) of vitamin D, which is well above the recommended daily intake.
Egg Yolks: Egg yolks contain small amounts of vitamin D. While not as rich as some other sources, they can contribute to your daily intake.
Mushrooms: Some types of mushrooms, like shiitake and maitake, have the ability to produce vitamin D when exposed to ultraviolet (UV) light. However, the amount of vitamin D varies depending on how they are grown and prepared.
Fortified Foods: Many foods are fortified with vitamin D, such as milk, orange juice, cereals, and yogurt. Check the labels to see if a product has been fortified with vitamin D.
Tofu: Some tofu products are fortified with vitamin D, making them a good option for vegetarians and vegans.
Cheese: Cheese can contain small amounts of vitamin D, but it varies depending on the type of cheese.