70% women deficient in vitamin D, says study

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, December 13

A four-year long pan India data survey (2013-2016) on the vitamin-D level in the Indian women by SRL Diagnostics released recently has revealed that women are more prone to the deficiency.

Out of the samples tested, the SRL data showed that 75-80 per cent women across the country have inadequate vitamin-D level in their blood.

Low vitamin D is known to affect the bones causing them to become thin, brittle, soft and susceptible to fracture. A number of research studies have shown that vitamin D is important for reducing hypertension, atherosclerotic heart disease, heart attack, and stroke also. Women seem to have a harder time stimulating the mechanism that builds the bone tissue when their estrogen levels are reduced post menopause.

Deepa Dave, Director (Operations), SRL Labs, says, “Vitamin D deficiency is a silent disease, but gives chronic muscle pains, spasms, low energy levels, depression, mood swings, and sleep irregularities. Another symptom of the deficiency is head sweating.”

She said, “One can avoid the adversities due to the deficiency by going for a regular blood test. A doctor can prescribe any supplement to the diet. In case of a high deficiency, vitamin-D injections can also be prescribed. A simple advice is going in the sun every day.”

Cultural and social taboos often dictate the lifestyle patterns such as clothing—that may limit sun exposure — and vegetarianism which limits the vitamin D rich dietary options.

She said a girl child in India is likely to receive less nutrition due to gender biases prevailing in the country. She said Indian women, especially rural, following the ‘pardah’ system or the ‘burqa’ system usually spent their time indoors, thereby preventing adequate sun exposure.

According to the data, nutritional deficiency, including vitamin D deficiency, is highly prevalent in pregnant women and lactating mothers.

Another city-based specialist, Dr Harminder Singh, said people who spent much time indoors were prone to the deficiency. “People should try to take more of the vitamin from sunlight during winters. There are no early symptoms, but can lead to deteriorating bone health, back pain and other muscle pains.”