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India may be a country that gets bountiful sunshine, yet Indians are deprived of Vitamin D, experts say.
So, the best way to beat this Vitamin D deficiency is to expose oneself to sunshine between 10 am and 3 pm, they aver.
The reason for the deficiency is a pro-hormone that influences the expression of more than 200 genes in the human body.
Nearly every tissue in the human body has receptors of Vitamin D whose deficiency affects normal functioning of all organs having these receptors. This deficiency is fast becoming a global and national health concern.
An estimated over 80 per cent of the Indian population has Vitamin D levels less than normal.
However, the bigger concern is that the population at large is not even aware of the deficiency and its consequences, diabetologist Banshi Saboo, Founder of Diabetes Foundation of India (DFI), said.
“Earlier, Vitamin D was thought to be responsible for maintaining calcium homeostasis to prevent osteoporosis and maintain bone health. But, in the past decade, research has established strong association of Vitamin D deficiency with diabetes, immunity, asthma, TB, high blood pressure, neuro-muscular function.”
Diabetes link
Low level of Vitamin D is associated with higher incidence of Type-2 diabetes. Correcting its deficiency improves insulin sensitivity and helps in better management of hyperglycaemia. Vitamin D deficiency has also been associated with high incidence of Type-1 diabetes.
As the mother is the sole source of Vitamin D substrate for her developing foetus, its status is very important during pregnancy. Maternal deficiency of Vitamin D is linked with abnormal foetal growth and gestational diabetes, he said.
Sunscreen lotions, staying indoors, clothing habits, pollution and minimal exposure to direct sunlight (between 10 am and 3 pm) are the major reasons for such widespread Vitamin D deficiency, Saboo said.
Manoj Chadha, an endocrinologist from Mumbai, said Vitamin D deficiency has no defined sign or symptoms. “People who complain of back pains, unexplained muscle pains, general fatigue are the most likely to be Vitamin D deficient. This deficiency can be easily corrected by Vitamin D supplementation or some lifestyle changes.”
> virendra.pandit@thehindu.co.in
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