People undergoing health check ups often are in panic mode when they have low levels of Vit D. Vit. D deficiency and insufficiency is now a global public-health problem affecting an estimated 1 billion people worldwide 70-95% of Indians are deficient in Vit D particularly from affluent society who tend to be indoors and avoid sunlight.
Poor exposure to sunlight is not the only reason for deficiency, our diet is also deficient in Vit. D. Sources of vit D in diet being Milk, cereals, fatty fish like salmon, mackerel, cod liver oil, eggs, and liver.
People with a darker pigment of skin or increased amounts of melanin in their skin, may have decreased production of Vitamin D. Sunscreen can also reduce vitamin D production, SPF 8 reduces vit D by 95%. People wearing headgears and burqa, working in occupations preventing sun exposure are predisposed to the deficiency.
Vit D maintains normal calcium & phosphorous levels in the body which is required to make our bones, teeth, muscles & nerves strong. Deficiency leads to bone softening diseases like osteomalacia and osteoporosis in adults, leading to an increased risk of bone fractures. Muscle weakness is also a common symptom of vitamin D deficiency.
All adults who are vitamin D deficient be treated with 50,000 IU of vitamin D3 once a week for eight weeks to achieve a blood level of 25(OH)D above 30 ng/ml, followed by maintenance therapy of 1,500-2,000 IU/day and ensure levels of vitamin D within the optimal range and adequate calcium intake.
Exposure to sunrays at 10 am for 30 min daily is more useful to prevent Vit D deficiency.