Vitamin D Deficiency

Research shows more than a billion people worldwide have a vitamin D deficiency.

Muscle weakness and aches

Weak bones

Fatigue

Inflammation

Hair loss

The deficiency may lead to many health conditions.

Depression

Hypertension (high blood pressure)

Arthritis

Eczema

One study using data from a large U.S. health study from 2011–2014 found that roughly 17.5% of Black people were at risk for vitamin D deficiency — compared with 7.6% of Asian people, 2.1% of white people, and 5.9% of Hispanic people .

This disparity may be because people who have darker skin have greater amounts of melanin, a natural pigment that gives skin its color. Melanin appears to inhibit vitamin D production in the skin.

Vitamin D Deficiency

Research shows more than a billion people worldwide have a vitamin D deficiency. Symptoms include:15

Muscle weakness and aches

Weak bones

Fatigue

Inflammation

Hair loss

The deficiency may lead to many health conditions, such as:15

Depression

Hypertension (high blood pressure)

Arthritis

Eczema

One study using data from a large U.S. health study from 2011–2014 found that roughly 17.5% of Black people were at risk for vitamin D deficiency — compared with 7.6% of Asian people, 2.1% of white people, and 5.9% of Hispanic people .

This disparity may be because people who have darker skin have greater amounts of melanin, a natural pigment that gives skin its color. Melanin appears to inhibit vitamin D production in the skin.