Vitamin D deficiency has been on rise in populations across the globe as per a report published in the scientific journal Osteoporosis International. Low Vitamin D levels could increase risk of osteoporosis, fractures, loss of bone density, rickets among many other diseases. There are several researchers that are studying Vitamin D for its possible connection to diseases like diabetes, high blood pressure, cancer, and autoimmune conditions such as multiple sclerosis. We get Vitamin D from our skin which makes the crucial compound upon exposure to sunlight and also various food sources from egg, fatty fish, cheese, soy milk and fortified foodsThere are many factors that are responsible for low levels of Vitamin D and it could range from low exposure to sunlight, old age to chronic kidney disease.
"Deficiency of Vitamin D has increased nowadays. There are lesser available dietary sources for Vitamin D and people are not getting sufficient sunlight. Early morning - before 8am - exposure to sunlight helps to manufacture Vitamin D. Unfortunately, due to lockdown and later due to hectic schedule, people don't have exposure to sun. In some cases, people suffer from chronic kidney disease due to which active form of Vitamin D is not produced in the body. Another reason could be malabsorption syndrome that leads to decreased or no absorption of Vitamin A, D E and K from our food," says Dr Honey Savla, Consultant Internal Medicine, Wockhardt Hospital, Mumbai Central.