Grab a dose of sunshine

The mild Bengaluru weather comes with its own disadvantages. One of the most prominent health consequences of this weather is an increasing number of people who are vitamin D-deficient. According to different studies, more than 70% of the population in Bengaluru is vitamin D deficient and another 15% has insufficient quantities of the ‘sunshine vitamin’ in their bodies.

Deficiency of vitamin D is on the rise among people of all age groups. Vitamin D aids the absorption of calcium in the body. Therefore, deficiency of vitamin D can cause hypocalcaemia. Many who suffer from the deficiency of calcium do not realise that they are vitamin D deficient, as lack of the latter can often be asymptomatic. Out of the 40 patients suffering from calcium disorders in a month, most are because of vitamin D deficiency.

Calcium is essential for strong and healthy bones. However, the body cannot absorb it properly without the presence of sufficient vitamin D. This vitamin along with calcium helps in strengthening bones and preventing illness like osteoporosis. Consuming adequate amount of calcium and vitamin D is necessary to build strong and dense bones.

Some of the early signs of calcium deficiency include aches and pain in the bones. In severe cases, people might suffer from the following symptoms:

Confusion

Memory loss

Depression

Hallucinations

Severe cramps or tetany

Fracture of bones

Women in their late 30s and 40s are more prone to suffering from calcium deficiency. Also, during the post-menopausal period, women are at a higher risk of suffering from osteoporosis. Vitamin D deficiency is also quite common in children. Some of them may also develop low calcium levels and suffer from a condition called rickets.

Adults can develop osteomalacia, which is similar to rickets in children. Therefore, it is important to have a balanced diet, with regular intake of dairy products and other calcium-rich foods, and adequate amount of vitamin D in the form of regular sun exposure for 20 to 30 minutes every day.

Sources of vitamin D

Some of the sources of vitamin D include sunlight, cod liver oil, mushrooms, salmon and sunflower seeds. Deficiency of calcium can be treated by including recommended calcium dosage in the form of calcium-rich food or dairy products or supplements. Acute deficiencies can be treated with changes in diet and medical interventions.

Deficiency of vitamin D is not only linked to calcium deficiency, but it can also result in various health problems including diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. If not addressed at an early stage, calcium deficiency can lead to osteoporosis or increased fracture risk.

(The author is a consultant endocrinologist, Columbia Asia Hospital.)