Vitamin D deficiency

Vitamin deficiency is defined as the lack of sufficient amounts of vitamins to regulate bodily functions supporting normal growth. Vitamin D deficiency contributes to one of the major health crises in India, encompassing almost 70% of the population despite its tropical climate. In eastern regions it affects one in five individuals rounding up to 38 percent of its population. Vitamin D is a fat-soluble nutrient that requires careful dosage to avoid toxicity. While the Eastern region shows a specific prevalence rate, dietary intake and lifestyle factors remain the primary contributors to nutritional levels across India.

Causes :

Indians typically have darker skin with higher melanin levels, this requires them to spend three to six times more in the sun than lighter-skinned individuals to produce the same amount of Vitamin D. Modern living keeps people indoors for most of the day. Even when outdoors, many avoid the sun during peak UVB hours (11 a.m. to 2 p.m.) due to heat or a cultural preference for fair skin. High levels of smog and particulate matter in Indian cities block UVB rays, significantly reducing the skin's ability to synthesise the vitamin. Traditional Indian diets are often low in Vitamin D-rich foods like fatty fish and eggs. Vegetarian diets, common for religious or cultural reasons, rarely provide sufficient levels. Cultural and religious practices often involve wearing clothing that covers most of the body, further limiting direct sun exposure.

Consequences:

Rickets, osteomalacia and osteoporosis are widely prevalent all over the world. The most well recognized function of vitamin D, involves regulation of calcium and phosphorus balance for bone mineralization and remodeling. Without adequate levels of vitamin D in the bloodstream, dietary calcium cannot be absorbed. Rickets result from inadequate mineralization of growing bone. Thus it is a childhood disease and it is manifested as bone deformities, bone pain and weakness. Chronic vitamin D deficiency in adults results in osteomalacia, osteoporosis, muscle weakness and increased risk of falls. Recent epidemiological studies have shown that vitamin D deficiency can be further linked to weakened immunity, higher risk of hypertension, type 2 diabetes and certain kinds of cancers.

Management:

Adults with deficiency have regimens that include 50,000 IU of vitamin D2 or D3 weekly for 8 weeks, or 6,000 IU daily, aiming for levels above 30 ng/mL. Obese patients or those with malabsorption may need 2-3 times higher doses, like 10,000 IU daily initially. Children often receive 2,000 IU daily for at least 6 weeks. Get regular check ups done every three months, sun exposure is encouraged everyday for 10-30 minutes. Dietary supplements like fatty fish, egg yolk, red meat, mushrooms, paneer, and milk should be taken.