Slow Wound Healing
If your wounds take a long time to heal, it may be a sign that you are vitamin D deficient. One study involving people who had dental surgery revealed that vitamin D deficiency interfered with some aspects of wound healing. [18] In an in vitro study, vitamin D was found to increase the production of certain compounds important in forming new skin during wound healing. [19]
It is not clear if taking supplements can accelerate wound healing in people with vitamin D deficiency yet.
Bone Loss
Calcium supplements are often prescribed to people suffering from bone loss. This is with good reason. Calcium is an important mineral component of the bones, such a shortage of calcium can result in low bone density. [20] But vitamin D deficiency can also be the cause of bone loss. This is because the body depends on vitamin D to absorb the calcium gotten through food and supplements.
Low bone mineral density is usually seen in older people, especially women. One study involving over a thousand middle-aged women at menopause and postmenopause found a strong relationship between low bone mineral density and low levels of vitamin D. [21]
Despite this relationship, maintaining normal vitamin D blood levels may be more effective in preserving bone mineral density than in restoring already lost bone. In a controlled study, consumption of vitamin D supplements increased vitamin D blood levels but did not improve bone mineral density in vitamin D deficient women. [22]