Recognizing the 10 Indicators of Vitamin D Shortage

4. Chronic Kidney Disease

Like obesity, chronic kidney problems can be the cause of vitamin D deficiency as opposed to being the result of deficiency. Certain kidney diseases can inhibit the production of vitamin D by the body as well as the breakdown of dietary vitamin D into its useful form. This process is vital to general health because even if adequate amounts of vitamin D are taken in, without the ability to create the active form, the body cannot use the vitamin. This active form of the vitamin helps to feed calcium and other vital minerals to the bones.

While there might be vitamin D and calcium available to the body, without proper kidney function, the body cannot use it. As the body starves for vital calcium, it sets off a parathyroid reaction. This is a process that begins dissolving bones for calcium.

If you are in the early stages of kidney disease, keep a particular eye on vitamin D levels, especially if dialysis is an option.