Chennai: Despite Chennai being bathed in sunlight for most part of the day, 95 per cent Chennaiites, like other Indians, suffer from Vitamin D deficiency.
With Vitamin D deficiency found to be prevalent in over 80 to 90 per cent Indians today, the Indian Medical Association took the initiative to conduct a training programme in Chennai to discuss the growing concern about the prevalence of Vitamin D deficiency.
“Vitamin D, known for its crucial role in calcium and bone metabolism, plays an important role in protecting the body against a number of diseases,” said Dr Sananth, a general physician.
“The exponentially low sunlight exposure today, as compared to 50 years ago is the main factor responsible for Vitamin D deficiency seen among the public today,” said Dr Nihal Thoma, Diabetologist, CMC, Vellore.
Dr Bhuma Srinivasan, Senior Consultant Endocrinologist, Vijaya Hospital, said, “Vitamin D deficiency prevails in epidemic proportions throughout India. It is crucial to create awareness about the need to check for Vitamin D deficiency if suffering from symptoms like body ache, muscle pain for no evident reason.”
People should ensure that they make some time to step out in the sun, emphasized Dietician Dr Dharini Krishnan. “Though greens are a great source for Vitamin D, sunlight is the best,” she stressed.
“A large number of newborn children are also being diagnosed with Vitamin D deficiency owing to the fact that the deficiency often goes undetected or is left untreated during pregnancy. In the case of elderly patients diagnosed with osteoporosis, it is imperative to test and subsequently treat them for Vitamin D deficiency before beginning the treatment for osteoporosis,” said Dr Srinivasan.
“Sunlight before 3 pm is the prime source of Vitamin D. Apart from affecting bones, Vitamin D deficiency causes tiredness,” said Dr Thilagavathi, Rheumatologist, SIMS Hospital.
