Vitamin D often holds a more significant role in our well-being than we might realize. Beyond its commonly known association with bone health, emerging research has shed light on its multifaceted importance

1. Shorter hair and hair loss

When your body doesn’t get enough vitamin D, it can affect your hair. The cells that play a role in your natural hair growth cycle, called keratinocytes, face difficulties in doing their job.

Having lower levels of vitamin D seems to make the phase when your hair grows shorter, and the resting phase longer. Also, the layer under your skin that supports your hair, called the dermic layer, becomes weaker, making your hair more likely to fall out.

Not having enough vitamin D is also connected to certain health conditions, like alopecia areata. This condition causes small bald patches on the scalp and sometimes the beard.

2. Dry and itchy skin

Vitamin D is an important vitamin for your health, especially for your skin. Your skin has cells called keratinocytes, which make up the outer layer called the epidermis.

These keratinocytes are special because they are the only ones in your body that can turn a precursor called 7-dehydrocholesterol into a form of vitamin D that your body can use.

Vitamin D does a lot for your skin — it helps with the barrier function, helps your skin cells grow, and supports the immune system in your skin, which is like a shield against harmful germs.

Some studies have found that not having enough vitamin D in your blood is linked to skin problems like eczema and psoriasis, both of which can make your skin dry. Taking vitamin D supplements can also make a big difference in improving symptoms of skin issues like eczema, making the skin less dry and itchy.

Research also shows a connection between vitamin D and how moist your skin is. So, keeping your vitamin D levels in check can be good for your skin’s health.

3. A tingly, “pins-and-needles” sensation in the hands or feet.

If your body doesn’t have enough vitamin D, it might lead to low levels of calcium in the blood. When this happens, you might experience sensations like “pins and needles.” These feelings can be a signal that something isn’t quite right with the balance of essential minerals in your body. Ensuring an adequate intake of vitamin D is crucial not just for bone health but also for maintaining proper levels of calcium, preventing discomfort and unusual sensations.

4. Problems with muscles

Not having enough vitamin D can increase the chance of losing muscle strength as you get older, according to a new study. The research looked at data from over 3,200 people aged 50 and above who didn’t have muscle weakness before. The study, which spanned four years, measured vitamin D levels through blood tests at the beginning and categorized them as enough, not quite enough, or not enough at all. After four years, researchers checked the participants’ grip strength as a way to see how strong their muscles were overall. This matters because losing muscle strength as you age is a big risk of falling, so having enough vitamin D is important for staying strong and preventing accidents.

5. Pale skin and dark circles