Health Alert: Vitamin D affects everything from bones to the brain, 80% of people in India are deficient in it...

To achieve good health, diet is crucial. Health experts advise everyone to include adequate nutrients in their diet. Studies also show that improving our diet can reduce the risk of many chronic diseases. Are you getting all the nutrients your body needs from your diet?

The data in this regard is worrying. Vitamin D deficiency is rapidly increasing in India. This problem is seen in everyone from children to the elderly. Due to the lack of this vitamin, which is essential for bone health, people are suffering from problems like bone pain and arthritis at an early age.

Health experts say that in a country like India, where there is abundant sunshine in every season, the presence of vitamin D deficiency in approximately 70–80% of the population is quite worrying. If this situation is not addressed in time, a large population of the country could be at risk of various diseases, including arthritis and weakened immunity, in the coming decades.

Vitamin D deficiency is increasing in the Indian population.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), a vitamin D level of 30-50 nanograms/milliliter is generally considered normal. However, in India, this level is seen to be as low as 0.5 nanograms/milliliter. Health experts say that urban lifestyles, spending more time indoors and at work, excessive use of sunscreen, and nutritional deficiencies are the main reasons for this.

Because most people are in the office all day, they are unable to access sunlight, which is the most important source of this vitamin. Health experts say that daily exposure to sunlight, a protein-rich diet, and including vitamin D-rich foods in the diet are essential for maintaining good health.

Bone problems due to vitamin D deficiency

Vitamin D is essential for maintaining the balance of calcium and phosphorus in the body, which helps maintain strong bones. It is also essential for maintaining a healthy immune system and brain, and mental health. Therefore, a deficiency in this nutrient can hurt overall health.

The main function of vitamin D is to help the body absorb calcium. A deficiency can lead to improper utilization of calcium, leading to weakening of bones.

According to a report by the National Institute of Nutrition, more than 50% of women and older adults in India suffer from osteoporosis, a condition that can be caused primarily by vitamin D deficiency.

Mental health problems can also increase.

Vitamin D is essential not only for bones but also for the brain. It increases the mood-enhancing hormone serotonin. According to a report by the National Library of Medicine, people with vitamin D deficiency may have a 65% increased risk of depression. Furthermore, vitamin D deficiency can also cause mood swings, restlessness, sleeplessness, and attention deficit disorder.

It also impacts the immune system.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, when people were being advised to take immunity-boosting measures, the emphasis was on including both Vitamin C and D in the diet.

Vitamin D helps strengthen the body's immune system. A deficiency makes the body more vulnerable to viruses and bacteria. The ICMR reported that people with vitamin D deficiency may be at risk for frequent colds, flu, or respiratory infections.

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