Indian doctors estimate that around 70 to 98% of adults and over 80% of pregnant women and school children suffer Vitamin D deficiency. This is due to changes in lifestyles, dress code changes, and urbanization.
  • 70% of Indians live in the rural areas and only 35% have access to regulated milk supply (fortified with Vitamins).
Human body produces Vitamin D when exposed to sunlight:
  • Vitamin D is essential for our bodies to process the calcium in our diets & produce strong bones.
  • Optimal levels of Vitamin D vary depending on age and health conditions.
  • Healthcare providers agree that concentration of less than 20 nanograms per milliliter of blood is inadequate & needs treatment.
  • Findings suggests that adolescents who receive adequate vitamin D may have reduced risk of osteoporotic fractures later in life.
Vitamin D Deficiency May Cause:
  • Increased risk of death from cardiovascular disease
  • Cognitive impairment in older adults
  • Severe asthma in children
  • Cancer
  • Osteoporosis
Vitamin D May Prevent / Treat:
  • Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes
  • Hypertension
  • Glucose Intolerance and
  • Multiple Sclerosis
Causes:
  • Limited exposure to sunlight.
  • Limited levels of Vitamin D consumed- strict vegan diet- no milk or dairy products Unfortunately most food sources are animal-based such as fish and fish oils, egg yolks, fortified milk, etc.
  • Dark skin- melanin, pigment that gives our skin it’s darker complexion, also reduces the skin's ability to produce vitamin D when exposed to sunlight. This is one of the reasons that Indians suffer Vitamin D deficiency.
  • Obesity- Fat cells extract Vitamin D from the blood, altering its release into the blood. Low blood levels of vitamin D are usually found in people with body mass index of 30 or greater.
Treatment:
  • Consuming more sources of Vitamin D through diet & supplements.
  • If you cannot spend time in the sun for any reason, speak to your doctor about Vitamin D supplement to your diet.