New Delhi: A new study by Tata Group’s online pharmacy 1mg found that almost 3 out of 4 Indians suffer from Vitamin D deficiency, using data spread across 27 cities and 2.2 lakh people in the country.
The study, conducted by Tata 1mg Labs, concluded that about 76 percent of the population is deficient in the “sunshine vitamin” in adequate amounts.
The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency was higher in young people (under 25 years) and men than in older participants and women.
The study data showed that 84 per cent of the youth suffered from vitamin D deficiency, while 81 per cent of the participants (25 to 40 years) had low levels.
Additionally, 79 percent of men were found to have less than desirable levels of vitamin D in their bodies, while women were not far behind at 76 percent.
Of the 27 Indian cities studied, Vadodara and Surat had the highest vitamin D deficient populations in the country. In Vadodara, 89 percent of those tested had low levels, and in Surat it was 88 percent.
Delhi had the lowest incidence (72 per cent), indicating that all cities had numbers above 70 per cent.
Dr Rajeev Sharma, Vice President, Medical Affairs, Tata 1mg Labs, said that “there has been a huge increase in cases of Vitamin D deficiency due to changing dietary habits and an indoor lifestyle with insufficient exposure to sunlight”.
“The much higher prevalence among young adults may also be attributed to lower consumption of vitamin D-rich foods such as fortified cereals and oily fish. However, seasonal changes in sunlight exposure, especially during winter, are also a factor.” A possible explanation could be that unplanned and unplanned pregnancies in women with dietary deficiencies could worsen vitamin D status in both mother and child, Sharma said.
Tata 1mg also highlighted the importance of getting Vitamin D levels checked regularly, especially in cases of obesity, osteomalacia and tuberculosis.
“Vitamin D levels can also be checked along with regular full-body checkups, which is recommended at least once every six months or a year. Infants and children under the age of five, pregnant and lactating women, adolescents and young women, people over the age of 65, and people with limited sunlight exposure are most susceptible to vitamin D deficiency. Tata 1mg Labs.
Vitamin D helps regulated The amount of calcium and sulfate in the body, nutrients needed to keep bones, teeth, and muscles healthy. It is essential for growth, development, metabolism, immunity, bone health and mental health of people. Its deficiency has been linked to health disorders such as prostate cancer, depression, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis and rickets.
Human skin hosts a type of cholesterol that acts as a precursor to vitamin D. When exposed to UV-B radiation from the sun, it is converted to vitamin D. , oily fish, red meat and fortified foods can help prevent deficiency.
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