HEALTH SPECIAL .....................VITAMIN D DEFICIENCY POWER OF THE SUN

 VITAMIN D DEFICIENCY POWER OF THE SUN





Getting exposed to the sunlight for 4 to 10 minutes for fair skin and 60 to 80 minutes for dark skin in summer months is enough to get you the required Vitamin D

In spite of ample sunlight throughout the year, prevalence rate of vita min D deficiency is around 70 per cent to 100 per cent among the general population. Rickets and Osteomalacia are very common which are creatively preventable. Vitamin D deficiency is very common in young children, women, and pregnant women and in certain high risk groups.

It also plays an important role in some autoimmune diseases. Vitamin D deficiency is also linked with cardiovascular diseases, diabetes mellitus, weight gain, infections diseases, mood disorders, declining cognitive functions and imperative physical functioning.

WHAT CAUSES VITAMIN D INSUFFICIENCY AND DEFICIENCY?

1) Lack of sunlight exposure 2) Skin concealing garments 3) Multiple pregnancies 4) Prolonged hospi talisation in elder ly 5) Vegetarian diet 6) Intestinal mal absorption dis eases 7) Use of drugs anticonvulsant, steroids, rifampicine 8) Pollution and fog

SYMPTOMS OF DEFICIENCY CHILDREN

Poor growth Bone pain Delayed walking Swollen joint Cramps, convulsions and irritability Breathing difficulties Delayed teething ADULTS Proximal muscle weakness Vaguely musculoskeletal pain Walking gait Hair fall 

HOW VIT-D DEFICIENCY CAN BE TREATED 

There are various guidelines for the treatment which differ from children to high-risk groups.

By and large, total vitamin D intake should be 200 IU to 400 IU day for children.

Children should be exposed to less than 15 minday to prevent possibility of skin damage. Consult your treating doctor for opti mal concentration of Vitamin D deficiency, which varies as per dif ferent risk factor groups.

Differences exist in the recommendation but the idea is to prevent and wipe out this deficiency if we have to enjoy the benefits of good health and a fulfilling lifestyle. Morning or afternoon Sun?

The sun's rays fall obliquely on the earth's atmosphere, but noon sun rays penetrate the earth's atmosphere straight. At noon, the ratio of UV-B (290315nm wave length) to UV-A (320-400nm wave length) is high and enough UV-B photons reach earth's surface. Therefore noon sun (10 am to 3 pm) is essential to produce adequate vitamin D in the skin. Exposure time to achieve 1 MED (Minimum Erythema Dose i.e.slight pinkness of skin) at noon during summer months is 4-10 minutes for fair skinned individuals and 60-80 minutes for dark-skinned individuals. Exposure of 40 per cent of body is sufficient to raise 1000 IU of vitamin D per day.

TOI12APR15