Vitamin D deficiency has reached epidemic proportions in India despite ample sunshine. Recent studies on this deficiency reveal that about 65-70 per cent of Indians are deficient in vitamin D and another 15 per cent are insufficient and also warn that if it is not managed properly, there are high chances that it can lead to rickets, osteoporosis, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, cancer and infections such as tuberculosis, stated a panel of medical experts.

Speaking on ‘Recent Advancements in Vitamin D Therapy Management’ at the international speaker programme, the experts pointed out that vitamin D, an essential nutrient to absorb calcium and for bone health, is synthesised in the skin on exposure to sunlight. It is a steroid hormone that influences virtually every cell in the body, which is why maintaining a healthy level is so important.
 
According to Dr. Michael Holick, endocrinologist and global authority on vitamin D therapy, this vitamin D deficiency has reached an alarming stage not only in Western countries but also Indian subcontinent which has enough sunshine. It is also observed that high level of vitamin D deficiency increases the risk of diabetes, coronary heart disease, hypertension and other cardiovascular diseases.
 
“Addition of vitamin D as a supplement to women of all age groups is the recent trend in practice amongst the Obgyns”, said Dr. Hema Divakar, past president-Federation of Obstetric & Gynecological Societies of India (FOGSI) and ambassador for FIGO, the international organisation of Obgyns.

“In Karnataka, more than 80 per cent of the population has vitamin D levels less than normal. Vitamin D deficiency and low calcium intake are important risk factors for osteoporosis, low bone mass, muscle weakness and therefore increased risk of fracture, according to Dr. Naresh Shetty, leading orthopaedic specialist and president of MS Ramaiah Memorial Hospital.

“Our studies (published in Endocrine Practice) have shown that maintaining vitamin D levels above 30 ng/ml along with adequate calcium improves the pancreatic ß cell function and reduces blood sugar levels”, says Prof. Dr. C.V. Hari Narayan, director, Institute of Endocrinology, Diabetes, Thyroid and Osteoporosis Disorders, Sakra World Hospitals, Bangalore.

Around 250 consultant physicians, gynecologists, paediatricians, orthopaedics, cardiologists and endocrinologists attended the international speaker program organised by Cadila Pharmaceuticals Ltd in Bengaluru.