More than 90% Vit D Deficient

May 05, 2020

Written by: Dr. Atul Wankhede

Over 90 per cent of India's Population is deficient in Vitamin D, said an article I recently read. Lack of exposure to sunlight in the present day lifestyle, where people prefer less outdoor activity, is leading to Vitamin D deficiency, which is more than a vitamin for human body. This same population is also at risk from health complications like diabetes and heart disorders due to Vit D deficiency. Nearly 75 to 80 per cent of the body's Vit D supply is through exposure to sunlight, which of late has become a rarity among the people in the cities. Vit D deficiency, which doesn't show any adverse effect early, does make people highly vulnerable to major diseases with a 40 per cent chance of early death over a period of time. Sunbath is the easiest way for the people to rid themselves of the Vit D deficiency.

Most children after being affected with Rickets and osteomalacia, if untreated and seen in adulthood become difficult to treat, mainly due to poor bone growth causing pain and bowed legs and muscle pains. It is now clearly known to be associated with diabetes, blood pressure, weakness of bones, nerve-related disorders and obesity. It even leads to depressive illnesses among few people.

Experts opine that Vitamin D will benefit the heart patients. While there are a few and costly diagnostic tests to determine the Vitamin D levels in the body, the treatment for the problem costs less. Such is the irony that the tests cost around Rs 900 to Rs 1,000, whereas the treatment costs between Rs 100 to Rs 200. Cardiologists now believe that maintaining adequate levels of Vit D is critical and assists the body to reduce bad cholesterol and increase good cholesterol, besides helping in the essential repair and maintenance activities in the body. Vit D helps the body to retain calcium. It is directly linked to knee pains and osteoporosis. Despite low cost supplements being widely available, people do not know the importance of taking them. However, it should be consumed under strict medical advice.

As always I once again stress that people should rely upon natural sources over supplements, prefer foods like wheat, milk and bread, however they will not get sufficient amount of Vit D required for the body's maintenance that they will get from exposure to sun for at least one hour every day.