Who is Prone to Vitamin D Deficiency?

• Age
• Obese
• Women
• Medications
• Northern climates

Are you in a population that is prone to having a vitamin d deficiency?

• Osteoporosis
• Kidney/ Liver Disease
• Darker skin pigmentation
• Gastrointestinal Surgeries (i.e., gastro bypass)

Risk factors of vitamin D Deficiency-Explained:

As we age, we tend toward malabsorption of vitamins and minerals so naturally there is less vitamin d absorption.

Some prescribed drugs can affect vitamin d metabolism, such as HIV/ Aids medications, anti-seizure drugs, anti-fungal drugs, etc.

Obese populations are more prone to vitamin d deficiency as the fat cells hold onto it (it is a fat soluble vitamin). So, vitamin d is often not used as ideally as it should in the overweight body.

 Read Is Vitamin D Deficiency is New Thing? 

Those who have darker skin are more prone to being deficient in vitamin d because it is not as easy to absorb the sun’s rays and convert vitamin d as with lighter skin. Melanin acts as a built-in sunscreen in dark skin, preventing sunshine from converting to d.

Stomach bypass surgeries cause many malabsorption issues, including vitamin d malabsorption, often resulting in vitamin d deficiency. This is why patients who undergo these surgeries are on vitamin and mineral supplements for life.

Women have a higher percentage of body fat so more d is stored and not used (fat soluble vitamin). Therefore, less is converted to use in the body.

Signs/ Symptoms You May be Low in Vitamin D

I take liquid vitamin d because liquid is good for absorption. It has added k2 vitamin for even better absorption of the vitamin d3. However, if you take blood thinners like Coumadin® avoid taking the liquid vitamin d with k2 vitamin as vitamin k can interfere with the effects of this drug. Otherwise vitamin k is added because it can help with vitamin d absorption. Always check with your doctor first before adding anything to your supplements regimen.

How to Diagnose Deficient Vitamin D

The only way to truly find out what your vitamin d level is in your body is to have a lab test done. Blood is drawn and vitamin d level is checked to see if it is in normal, healthy range.

Keep in mind that a Naturopathic doctor or functional medicine doctor may want to see your vitamin d in a higher “optimal” level than what a conventional family doctor may be comfortable with. Many insurances cover this lab test. 

Summary of Vitamin D Deficiency

Acupuncture is great for Low Energy/ Feeling Fatigue in the body and mind, and Low Mood. It gets us out of Fight or Flight.

Go online to Schedule at: AnokaAcupuncture.com

Thanks for Reading!

Written by Aleesha D Ackerman, LAc

Aleesha Ackerman is a certified and state licensed acupuncturist with a Master’s degree in acupuncture. She also holds a Bachelor’s degree from Hamline University. Aleesha owns and operates Aleesha D Acupuncture clinic for Pain and Women’s Health in Anoka, MN.

She became interested in acupuncture and holistic medicine when acupuncture cured her of debilitating migraine pain after an auto collision with a semi-truck. Aleesha specializes in treating acute and chronic pain and Women’s Health. Women come to her everyday with issues such as hot flashes, mood imbalance, low energy and for Cosmetic Acupuncture for wrinkles, crow’s feet, laugh lines and improvement in overall skin tone . Read more about Aleesha and what she specializes in Here.

Patients at Aleesha D Acupuncture say they feel cared for and listened to. They are happy to get the much-needed pain and stress relief from their treatments!

Why wait? Start Your Relief Today- contact Aleesha D Acupuncture in Anoka this summer to schedule!

Aleesha D Acupuncture is located in historic downtown Anoka at 207 East Main Street just off Highway 10 with free parking.

Get in and Feel Better, Move Forward!

DISCLAIMER

This article is not intended to replace any health care. No information on this site should be relied on to determine medical diagnosis or treatment for a medical condition. As with any health concerns, always be sure to consult your health care provider with any health concerns.

Licensed Acupuncturist in Anoka Serving Andover, Anoka, Big Lake, Champlin, Circle Pines, Columbus, Coon Rapids, Dayton, East Bethel, Elk River, Forest Lake, Fridley, Ham Lake, Isanti, Lino Lakes, Maple Grove, Minneapolis, Now Then, Oak Grove, Osseo, Ostego, Ramsey, Saint Francis, Saint Paul, Shoreview, Spring Lake Park, Vadnais Heights and White Bear Lake.

Zip codes we treat: 55304, 55303, 55309, 55014, 55316, 55433, 55448, 55327, 55330, 55432, 55040, 55401, 55402, 55403, 55404, 55406, 55407, 55408, 55409, 55410, 55411, 55412, 55413, 55416, 55418, 55419, 55421, 55422, 55011, 55311, 55369, 55102, 55103, 55104, 55105, 55106, 55107, 55108, 55101, 55109, 55110, 55111, 55113, 55114, 55116, 55117, 55120, 55124, 55125, 55115, 55118, 55119, 55121, 55122, 55123, 55126, 55129, 55130, 55146, 55127, 55128, 55133, 55144, 55145, 55155, 55164, 55165, 55166, 55166, 55168, 55170, 55175, 55187, 55188, 55171, 55172, 55014, 55025, 55371, 55398, 55308, 55960