06 August,2019 04:14 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
There are some people we aren't allowed to forget about, who we take for granted, who are important for our existence, who we welcome with open arms and who's periodic absence, funnily enough, we accept as a norm. Vitamin D is one such 'people'! In the customary yearly medical checks, Vitamin D has found a consequential place and hence the evaluation is almost always done. Lower than the reference results are tolerated as if it were meant to be and the just sufficient 'marks' are met with a definite measure of victory!
Supplementation is mobilised for a short period and then it is supposed that the Vitamin D that is so susceptible to drop will consent to its presence in adequate amounts for the rest of the year or even until the next test reveals another story. The way Vitamin D and its supplementation is viewed in India needs to change. A few sachets in the year will do nothing to assist the critical role Vitamin D plays to maintain life processes and optimal health.
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Sunlight is the major source of Vitamin D. As a cult, especially in urban pockets, life is more exciting indoors. In fact, life happens indoors. But lets also not fool ourselves, even if we were to spend some time as a rule in the sun daily, I suspect no marked change in the levels. The pollution and smog cover is so high, it is reported that the UV index has dropped not allowing for enough infiltration of rays for our skin to produce adequate amounts of Vitamin D And thus Vitamin D deficiency has become a new age disease.
It isn't. It's a malady, a syndrome by sheer recognition of its importance in the prevention of a host
of disease and body conditions. It is critical in more ways than we can think of - In the heath of bones and absorption of calcium.
There's no problem without a solution and a problem that is everyone's doesn't cease to be a problem! It has to be combatted. Such is the story of Vitamin D. It's deficiency is an epidemic and is treated almost as normal as everyone suffers from it. But that is not an excuse to not treat the condition actively. Step up to your health, step up to Vitamin D.
- By Anupama Menon, Nutritionist and Food Coach
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