8 Signs You Need to Be Getting More Vitamin D
Make sure you're getting enough of the vitamin.
April 2, 2014— -- intro: The benefits of vitamin D, backed up by tons of research, ring loud and clear: strong bones, improved mood, even more efficient weight loss. But signs that you're low on the nutrient are a bit quieter.
If you notice one or more of these issues, head to your physician to get your blood tested. (But don't reach for supplements quite yet—you'll want to make sure it's a vitamin D deficiency you're dealing with first since excessive intake of the nutrient can be linked to its own health concerns.)
quicklist: 1category: Signs You Need More Vitamin Dtitle: Muscle Weaknessurl:text: Decreased muscular size can be the result of not enough vitamin D in muscle and nerve tissue, says Kimberly Mueller, R.D., owner of Fuel Factor Nutrition Coaching. So if you notice that you can't eek out the same number of reps you've always done, that may be a sign you need more vitamin D.
quicklist: 2category: Signs You Need More Vitamin Dtitle: Sadnessurl:text: According to a study in The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, women with low levels of D are twice as likely to combat depression.
quicklist: 3category: Signs You Need More Vitamin Dtitle: Greater Pain Sensitivityurl:text: Insufficient levels of vitamin D have been linked to chronic pain, especially in black Americans.
quicklist: 4category: Signs You Need More Vitamin Dtitle: Stress Fracturesurl:text: Vitamin D promotes bone growth—but when you're low in the nutrient, your bones become weakened, meaning your risk for stress fractures increases, says Mueller. In fact, some studies show as high as double the risk if vitamin D levels are exceptionally low.
quicklist: 5category: Signs You Need More Vitamin Dtitle: High Blood Pressureurl:text: Vitamin D plays a role in heart health, helping to regulate blood pressure. So when you don't get enough, your blood pressure can creep up.
quicklist: 6category: Signs You Need More Vitamin Dtitle: Sleepinessurl:text: In one 2012 study published in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine, lower levels of vitamin D were linked to higher levels of daytime sleepiness.
The Best Sleep Position for You
quicklist: 7category: Signs You Need More Vitamin Dtitle: Extreme Crankinessurl:text: Before you blame your grouchiness on PMS, know that D affects the levels of serotonin in your brain—which also impacts your mood.
quicklist: 7category: Signs You Need More Vitamin Dtitle: Decreased Enduranceurl:text: Some studies have shown reduced aerobic capacity and overall endurance in athletes with low vitamin D levels, says Mueller.
A version of this story previously ran on ABCNews.com.