Vitamin D is used by the body to keep muscles, teeth and bones healthy, said the NHS.
It uses the vitamin to regulate the amount of calcium or phosphate in the body.
Not getting enough vitamin D can lead to severe bone deformities, rickets, or even osteomalacia.
You could be at risk of a vitamin D deficiency if you have stomach pain, it’s been revealed.
Stomach pain could be linked to vitamin D deficiency, scientists have claimed.
The tummy pain could be caused by Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS).
Around 80 per cent of all IBS patients have a vitamin D deficiency, according to the a University of Sheffield study.
“Our work has shown that most IBS sufferers in our trial had insufficient levels of vitamin D,” said lead researcher Dr Bernard Corfe.
“It was clear from our findings that many people with IBS should have their vitamin D levels tested.”
You could be at risk of IBS symptoms, and therefore a vitamin D deficiency, if you have persistent tummy aches, feel bloated, or have diarrhoea.
Other IBS symptoms include constipations, nausea, and constant back pain.
Speak to a GP if you think you may have IBS. Ask for an urgent appointment if you’ve lost a lot of weight suddenly, to if you feel a hard lump in your tummy.
You could also be at risk of a vitamin D deficiency if you get sick very easily, are always feeling fatigued, or if you have chronic pain.
Brittle bones, excessive head sweating and having wounds that won’t heal are also signs of the deficiency.
Certain people are more at risk of the condition than others. That includes people that have darker skin, or are overweight.
You’re more likely to become deficiency in vitamin D if you’re over 50 years old.
As you get older, the skin doesn’t produce as much vitamin D as it used to.
But, you can top up on vitamin D by spending more time in direct sunlight.
Alternatively, try eating more oily fish, red meat, liver or egg yolks.
A vitamin D supplement could lower your chances of a deficiency. A 10mcg capsule should be enough for most people.