Final answer:
During the winter months, patients may be deficient in vitamin D due to reduced sunlight exposure, which affects the body's ability to synthesize this nutrient that is crucial for bone health.
Step-by-step explanation:
Patients may be deficient in vitamin D during the winter months. Vitamin D is oftentimes referred to as the "sunshine vitamin" because our bodies synthesize it upon exposure to sunlight. During the winter, reduced sunlight exposure, particularly in higher latitudes, can lead to insufficient vitamin D levels.
Deficiency in vitamin D is known to cause health issues such as Rickets, characterized by bowed legs in children, and Osteomalacia, which leads to soft bones with a tendency to fracture in adults. Other symptoms of deficiency include muscle weakness and immune system malfunctions. Getting enough vitamin D in the winter may require dietary supplements or increased consumption of vitamin D-rich foods such as fatty fish, fortified dairy products, or mushrooms.