India is facing an epidemic-level vitamin D deficiency crisis, with a vast majority of its population lacking the essential nutrient. According to experts, ignoring this issue could lead to serious health consequences.
Senior consultant physician Dr. Kurien Thomas said that despite the ease of synthesizing vitamin D through sun exposure, up to 90% of Indians are deficient. This is due to lifestyle factors such as staying indoors, using sunscreen, and wearing protective clothing.
The “Sunlight Vitamin” plays a vital role in bone health and calcium absorption, but its deficiency can lead to conditions like rickets in children and osteomalacia in adults. Experts point to environmental pollution, vegetarian diets, lack of supplements, age, and co-morbidities as contributing factors.
To address this crisis, experts recommend mid-day sun exposure, a balanced diet rich in fish, meat, egg yolks, fortified dairy products, and mushrooms, and vitamin D supplements for at-risk groups. However, caution must be exercised due to the fat-soluble nature of vitamin D, which can lead to toxicity.
High-risk individuals such as the elderly, those with chronic illnesses, or limited mobility need targeted screening and fortified food options. Vitamin D also has extra-skeletal effects, supporting bone and muscle health but also regulating blood pressure, reducing inflammation, and potentially lowering the risk of certain cancers and autoimmune diseases.
Source: https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/health/vitamin-d-deficiency-poses-public-health-challenge-say-experts/article69788176.ece