Why vitamin D levels may drop even in sun rich regions

Despite abundant sunlight, Vitamin D deficiency remains common in tropical and sun rich countries. Here’s why this “sunshine vitamin” might still be missing from your system. (Source: Photo by Unsplash)

Excessive Sunscreen Use: While sunscreen protects against harmful UV rays, it also blocks the UVB rays your skin needs to produce Vitamin D. Overuse or high-SPF sunscreens can significantly reduce natural Vitamin D synthesis. (Source: Photo by Unsplash)

Cultural Clothing practices: In some regions, clothing that covers most of the body for cultural or religious reasons prevents skin from absorbing sunlight effectively. (Source: Photo by Unsplash)

Adopting and Indoor Lifestyle: Even in bright climates, modern routines often keep people indoors at offices, schools, or in air conditioned homes, limiting direct sun exposure during key hours. (Source: Photo by Unsplash)

Pollution and Environmental Factors: Air pollution absorbs and scatters UVB rays, reducing their reach to the ground. Urban residents, even in sunny cities, often miss out on adequate Vitamin D synthesis. (Source: Photo by Unsplash)

Poor Dietary Intake: Sunlight isn’t the only source, diet matters too. People often lack Vitamin D rich foods like fatty fish, fortified milk, and egg yolks, leading to deficiency even with good sun exposure. (Source: Photo by Unsplash)

Skin Tone and Melanin: Darker skin tones contain more melanin, which naturally blocks UV rays. This means individuals with deeper skin tones require more sun exposure to produce the same amount of Vitamin D. (Source: Photo by Unsplash)