What is the Cure for Vitamin D Deficiency?

4 Dec 2021 Health Care, Medical

A 2019 pan-India study found that 70-90% of Indians are deficient in Vitamin D, and the deficiency can have adverse consequences for skeletal development in babies and children, and bone health in adults.

The study also revealed that 84.2% of Type II diabetes patients were Vitamin D deficient. North India Vitamin D deficiency levels stand prevalent at a whopping 88%.

According to research conducted by PGIMER, Chandigarh, Vitamin D levels were significantly lower in Punjab. The astonishing highlight of this study is that the research was conducted on the normal healthy population of Punjab including Tricity. According to the research-

  • Out of 300 male subjects 77 (25.7%) had vitamin D below 20ng/ml.
  • Out of 300 female subjects 116 (38.7%) had vitamin D below 20ng/ml
  • Total 193 subjects (32.2%) out of 600 had Vitamin D deficiency.

This puts Tricity residents at huge risk of chronic diseases like diabetes, cardiovascular problems, and hypertension.

The body requires vitamin D for overall wellbeing and, in particular, maintenance of bone health. Calcium is the primary building block for bones. Vitamin D aids in the absorption of calcium from our food (or supplements). Calcium absorption is impeded by a Vitamin D deficiency, resulting in low bone density, joint mobility, and osteoporosis in the long run. Vitamin D is also necessary for muscular function, neurological system function, and immune system.

So how does one cure vitamin D deficiency? It begins with detection and regular tests. 

Detection of Vitamin D deficiency 

There are a few symptoms that you may experience if you have low levels of vitamin D. Some symptoms and signs of vitamin D deficiency include:

Poor immunity

If you fall sick quite often, you may suffer from a vitamin D deficiency. If you suffer from flu or cold often, you should get your vitamin D levels checked.

Poor bone health

Vitamin D is responsible for absorbing calcium from the diet taken. If you experience bone-related problems such as fractures, or back pain frequently, it may be because of vitamin D deficiency.

Other symptoms can also include-

  • Muscle pain
  • Constant tiredness
  • Wounds that heal slowly
  • Hair Fall 

Vitamin D tests have nowadays become a standard part of routine pathological testing. Helix Pathlabs offers the following Vitamin D tests:

  1. Vitamin D 25 hydroxy
  2. Vitamin D 1,25 dihydroxy

We also offer this as part of our standard health packages:

  • Helix Vitamin Package
  • Helix Healthy Package Silver
  • Helix Healthy Package Gold
  • Helix Bone Profile

Custom packages can also be created to meet your specific needs. Reach us to know more.

Vitamin D Deficiency Should Not Be Ignored

According to research conducted by the Department of Anthropology, Panjab University, Chandigarh, the overall Vitamin D deficiency in the present population of Chandigarh was found to be 44.97%. The overall prevalence of Vitamin D deficiency was found to be 28.5% in males and 63.4% in females of Chandigarh.

These staggering numbers clearly show that a vitamin D deficiency should not be ignored. Sunlight is an excellent way to boost vitamin D, however during the summers, you may expose yourself to the risk of skin cancer.

For safe exposure, there is no better time than the winters. Winters are the perfect opportunity to load up on vitamin D without needing any sunscreen or having to worry about your skin. Particularly, north Indians can benefit from winters due to their geographical location.

During winters, the sun rays are warm enough to help your skin generate vitamin D and cool enough to be comfortable and help you avoid any adverse effects. 

How to Get Vitamin D?

  • Naturally from sunlight

Vitamin D is commonly called “the sunshine vitamin” as the sun is probably the best resource of the nutrient. The human skin hosts a kind of cholesterol that can function as a precursor for vitamin D. Once this compound gets exposed to the UV-B present in radiations from the sun, it converts vitamin D. Sun-derived vitamin D can even circulate twice as fast when compared to vitamin D acquired from supplements or food. Nonetheless, the quantity of vitamin D that your body can produce depends on a lot of variables.

  • How to increase vitamin D levels quickly?

For a lot of people, using a vitamin D supplement can be the fastest way to make sure that the levels get back to being normal. Vitamin D is present in two primary biological forms, D3 (cholecalciferol) and D2 (ergocalciferol). Generally, D2 is taken from plants while D3 comes from animal sources.

Studies show that consuming D3 can be more effective at increasing and maintaining the overall vitamin D level when compared to D2. Also, you can find supplements with this form of vitamin D. Additionally, it is also vital to buy high-quality supplements that have undergone independent testing. In India, nutritional supplements are regulated but you need to make sure that you buy a reputed brand.

  • What foods are high in vitamin D?

Some foods typically contain a high level of vitamin D, and you can easily include these foods in your diet. Some of these include:

  • Seafood such as fish particularly Salmon
  • Mushrooms
  • Egg yolk
  • Cod liver oil
  • Cow’s milk
  • Soy milk
  • Cereal
  • Oatmeal
  • Orange juice
  • How Much Vitamin D Should I Take Daily?

Doctors generally recommend that adults should consume the RDA of 600 IU of vitamin D every day. On average you can safely consume up to 2,000 IU per day. Consuming adequate vitamin D brings in many health benefits, but you should check with your doctor before starting any supplements. You should also focus on your diet to get as much vitamin D as you can naturally.

Conclusion

A vitamin D deficiency can give adverse outcomes for bone health in adults and skeletal development in children, particularly babies. Approximately 84% of people in India suffer from Vitamin D deficiency. If you suspect a vitamin D deficiency, you should immediately get it checked. There are plenty of natural and medical ways that can help you keep vitamin D levels up for a healthy living. At Helix Pathlabs, we provide a range of tests that keep you aware of your health and wellbeing.

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