#Vitamin D #women

Levels of Vitamin D below 30ng/ml are considered insufficient or deficient.[1] Vitamin D deficiency results in poor bone health and causes severe bone pain and fractures.[2] Studies show that women in India often overlook signs of poor bone health. Records from Vitamin-D testing camps conducted by Apollo Clinics in collaboration with Horlicks Women’s Plus in 2023 revealed that approximately 80% of urban women in India have low Vitamin D levels.  A Momspresso study in 2023 highlighted that 87% of women who suffer from body aches remain unaware of the link between body aches and poor bone health and turn to temporary pain relief.

Dr Rajeev S Ghat, Orthopedic Surgeon, Apollo Clinic, Bangalore says, “Sunlight is the natural source of Vitamin D, but women do not get enough exposure to sunlight to keep their Vitamin D levels optimal. Dietary sources rich in Vitamin D are also minimal and are almost zero in a vegetarian diet. Vitamin D is essential to maintain the equilibrium of bones. Our bones undergo daily wear and tear that is repaired with the deposition of a new bone. However, when Vitamin D levels are not adequate, the wear and tear occur at a faster rate than the formation of the new bone. This leads to poor bone health. Nutritional supplements with Vitamin D prove to be vital in the prevention of Vitamin D deficiency and thus balancing the equilibrium of bones.”

Vitamin D is produced in the skin after exposure to sunlight. A sedentary lifestyle, polluted air and indoor workspaces have contributed to the increased prevalence of Vitamin D deficiency.[3] Dietary sources of Vitamin D are very limited. The best sources are fatty fish and fish liver oil; a small quantity is also found in egg yolk and certain mushrooms. Including nutritional supplements in the diet is recommended to maintain optimum levels of Vitamin D.

Nutritional supplements with 100% recommended dietary allowance of calcium and Vitamin D are readily available, affordable and are beneficial to improve bone health. Along with the intake of nutritional supplements, women should also adopt healthy habits such as sufficient exposure to sunlight and regular exercise. This holistic approach can improve their bone health and reduce body aches and the risk of fractures as they age.

[1] Selvarajan S et al Systematic Review on Vitamin D Level in Apparently Healthy Indian Population and Analysis of Its Associated Factors. Indian J Endocrinol Metab. 2017 Sep-Oct;21(5):765-775

[2] Sizar O, Khare S, Goyal A, et al. Vitamin D Deficiency. [Updated 2023 Jul 17]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2024 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK532266/

[3] https://bmcpublichealth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1471-2458-10-519#:~:text=High%20levels%20of%20atmospheric%20pollutions,vitamin%20D%20deficiency%20%5B17%5D.