Why does the body lack vitamin D?

Recently, vitamin D deficiency has emerged as a major problem in the health sector. If we look at the context of Nepal, more and more people are found to be deficient in vitamin D.

The main source of vitamin D is sunlight. But now many people are rarely exposed to the sun's ultraviolet rays, the main source of vitamin D. Because due to increasing urbanization and busy lifestyle, people have less time to spend in the sun. As the houses in the city are built together, even the sunlight does not penetrate from room to room.

The human skin produces vitamin D from the ultraviolet rays of the sun, and the body stores it and starts using it later. If the skin is not able to produce vitamin D, it is deficient. According to Sudarshan Basnet, president of Suswatsha Hospital, this problem occurs even if you eat less food containing vitamin D, such as eggs and fish.

What kind of people should take vitamin D supplements?

Many people in Nepal are now deficient in vitamin D. Although the number of people who have checked its quantity is low, most of the people who have checked it are found to be deficient. Nutritionist Kala Nepal says that such people should take supplements.

Menstrual women and post-Covid patients also have vitamin D deficiency. Also, thyroid patients also have vitamin D deficiency," she says. "Nowadays, many people work in offices. People who do not come in contact with the sun outside are also deficient. Therefore, such people can also take vitamin D supplements as per the doctor's advice.

It is advisable to stay in the sun from 8 am to 11 am

Since vitamin D is found in abundance in the morning sun, sitting in the sun from 8 to 11 am and taking a sun bath will not cause deficiency of vitamin D in the body. Basnet says that you can sit in the sun for half an hour with a little moisturizer during this period.

Thus, while sitting in the sun, the body should wear clothes that can absorb sunlight. In this way, if you can sit in the sun for at least half an hour every day, this problem will not appear.

Problems seen due to lack of vitamin D

Deficiency of vitamin D causes bone problems. Lack of vitamin D also reduces the ability to fight disease. Its deficiency can cause problems such as tingling in limbs, fatigue and hair loss. However, vitamin D supplements should not be consumed without examination and without the advice of a doctor. Nutritionist Nepal says that consuming it on your own can have even more negative effects.

How much vitamin D?

If the level of vitamin D is 30 to 74 nanograms per millimeter, it is considered normal. 21 to 29 nanograms is insufficient. Similarly, being below 20 nanograms per millimeter indicates its deficiency in the body. Anything less than 5 nanograms means trouble.

Source of Vitamin D

Vitamin D is fat soluble. It helps the body absorb calcium. The best source of vitamin D is sunlight. Also, we can get vitamin D from food. Eggs, fish, cheese, mushrooms, carrots, etc. also contain some amount of vitamin D. But nutritionists in Nepal suggest that you should take supplements because you cannot get enough vitamin D from food.