Sunshine vitamin not just for rickets

I became acquainted with vitamins and their power during my school years. But even back then,Vitamin D always got short shrift....

I became acquainted with vitamins and their power during my school years. But even back then,Vitamin D always got short shrift the standard one liner dismissal blandly stated its ability to prevent rickets.

And even today,this image of Vitamin D has remained unchanged in the mind of the lay person. The truth,however,could not be more different.

For instance,even though our bones derive their strength from calcium,they would not be able to absorb the calcium but for Vitamin D.

Equally important are the many new discoveries about Vitamin D its positive role in preventing many types of cancers,diabetes and other chronic ailments.

It is thus essential to ensure that we ingest adequate amounts of this vitamin.

In this context,I would like to draw attention to a recent study conducted in one of our metros,which found that a significant proportion of its population suffered from severe Vitamin D deficiency.

I have every reason to believe that the situation is similar in most cities.

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It is not clear what causes this severe deficiency. But the probable cause could be one or a combination of some of the following:

amp;149; Age weakens the mechanism that generates this vitamin in the body.

amp;149; The lack of reliable dietary sources of Vitamin D. The list of foods rich in it is quite terse.

amp;149; Generally,low levels of Vitamin D are found in individuals who have larger amounts of abdominal fat and unfortunately Indians are genetically endowed with this characteristic body type. The connection works this way: abdominal adipose tissue absorbs and stores most of the Vitamin D in the body,which leaves very small amounts circulating in blood. Thus bones and other body parts are deprived of its benefits.

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amp;149; Another possible factor is the increasing use of sunscreen solutions and staying indoors. To allow the body to synthesise the vitamin,it must be exposed to ultraviolet light but sunscreen stops this. This does not mean that one must stop using sunscreens 8212; there is no point in increasing the risk of exposure to ultraviolet light simply to improve Vitamin D levels. But it is important to consume food that makes up for the deficiency.

A good way to get Vitamin D through diet is to eat the heart healthy fish salmon. This fish has the highest concentration of Vitamin D. Other good sources are fish like sardines,tuna and mackerel,egg yolk,liver and mushrooms.

Unfortunately most of these foods are missing from the diets of vegetarians. One cup of milk provides just a quarter of the Vitamin D required by an adult.

Plant-derived foods are almost devoid of this vitamin. In this context,the fortification of foods with vitamin D should be considered as an option by the government.

Next week: How Vitamin D prevents cancer

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