Bengaluru: People know everything there is to know about counting their steps, performing Surya Namaskar, eating light and an early dinner, and controlling their blood pressure and sugar levels. But what about their vitamin D levels, though? People who spend a lot of time indoors and receive insufficient sunshine exposure may be at risk for vitamin D insufficiency.

Doctors in the city assert that vitamin D deficiency is common among Bengalureans. Dr. Pramod V. Satya, consultant of internal medicine at Manipal Hospitals, stated that it was present in practically everyone who was examined at their hospital. He added that adults should have between 30 and 40 ng/mL of vitamin D in their blood. The most significant source of the vitamin is sunlight.

Dr. Ravikumar Mukartihal, a consultant orthopedic surgeon at SPARSH hospital in Bengaluru, noted that the majority of people now work from home, while the others frequently arrive at their place of employment before 9 a.m. to avoid being exposed to sunlight.

Both doctors pointed out that one should not ignore the signs. Vitamin D deficiency symptoms include insomnia, mood changes, fatigue, joint pain, and knee pain. According to Dr. Mukartihal, vitamin D is essential for maintaining calcium homeostasis and bone metabolism. Because of this, bone demineralization (loss of bone content) may occur more quickly, leading to osteomalacia and osteoporosis in both adults and the elderly.

Additionally, vitamin D insufficiency is frequently disregarded and mistreated. Vitamin D testing is not included in the packages offered by hospitals and laboratories that provide thorough health examinations and tests at affordable rates. 

(Source: https://health.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/industry/doctors-urge-bengalureans-to-keep-eye-on-vitamin-d-deficiency/97307326 )