What Does Vitamin D Have to Do With MS?
With a severe deficiency, bone softening (a condition calledosteomalaciain adults andricketsin children) may develop.
With osteomalacia and rickets, a person may experience throbbing bone discomfort and muscle weakness and pain.
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Osteomalacia also increases a person’s chances of developing bone fractures, falling, and experiencing walking problems.
Besides bone and muscle symptoms, fatigueand depressionare also associated with vitamin D deficiency.
However, screening for vitamin D deficiency in a person without symptoms is currently not recommended.
That said, in the vast majority of cases, vitamin D deficiency is treated with a supplement.
To date, there is no standard regimen for treating vitamin D deficiency.
That said, it can be useful for maintaining a healthy vitamin D level.
This is because of the increased risk ofskin cancerassociated with sun exposure.
After age 70, a person should take 800 IU of vitamin D daily.
These vitamin D preventive recommendations are for the general populationnotfor people with a diagnosed vitamin D deficiency.
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National Institutes of Health.
Office of Dietary Supplements.Vitamin D fact sheet for health professionals.
Cleveland Clinic.Vitamin D deficiency.
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