Question: Who's Most Susceptible to Vitamin D Deficiency?
Vitamin D deficiency is more common in certain groups of people, including:
- Older adults: As we age, the skin becomes less efficient at producing vitamin D in response to sunlight exposure. This makes older adults more susceptible to vitamin D deficiency.
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People with darker skin: People with darker skin have more melanin, which is a pigment that absorbs UV radiation. This can reduce the skin's ability to produce vitamin D in response to sunlight exposure, making people with darker skin more susceptible to deficiency.
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People with limited sun exposure: People who live in northern latitudes or who work indoors may not get enough sunlight exposure to produce sufficient vitamin D.
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People with certain medical conditions: Certain medical conditions, such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and liver or kidney disease, can affect the body's ability to absorb vitamin D from the diet.
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People taking certain medications: Certain medications, such as corticosteroids and anticonvulsants, can interfere with the body's ability to absorb or utilize vitamin D.