Tejal Somvanshi
All the vitamins are vital for our health. Sunlight is the natural source of vitamin D. 90% of vitamin D is produced in the skin via sunlight exposure. Diet provides the remaining 10% of vitamin D required for our health. Half an hour of sunshine on skin is all it takes to keep your vitamin D levels up, immunity high and bones strong.
Most parts of India have 300-330 sunny days a year. Yet 70%-100% of the population is believed to be vitamin D-deficient across states. Hence a ready market for supplements. Increased pollution levels, especially in winter months, made sun exposure virtually ineffective for the purpose of producing the vitamin.
Experts feel the wheat-brown skin, characteristic of Indians, contains melanin. Melanin provides natural protection against developing melanoma and other skin cancers. Dr. Saptarshi, senior consultant on endocrinology, Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals, however, points out that due to higher melanin in the Indian population, they require increased sun exposure and so in winter, vitamin D requirements are considerably higher than in summer.
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Again this view is contested by ICMR (Indian Council of Medical Research) and UK’s NHS feel a daily supplement of 10 micrograms or 400 IU (international units) is enough, regardless of age. But the chemist is more likely to stock 60,000 IU once-a-year injections. Some doctors say such an injection can cause kidney stones and make you prone to falls and fractures. Yearly injections or shots may be needed in some special cases.
But the indiscriminate use to overcome routine deficiency, with or without a prescription, is a cause for concern. Because health authorities aren’t sure about “normal” Vit D levels. The latest magic pill is meant as a panacea for all your panics from fatigue to hair loss, diabetes, blood pressure and even cancer. It is better to be cautious. Prevention is better than cure.
In short, though vitamin D is vital for our health, the cure for its deficiency may be worse than the remedy. Best thing to do is to have sun exposure for 15-30 minutes daily.
