Winter’s hidden impact: Why vitamin D levels drop even in sun-rich regions

India is a tropical country with plenty of sunny days. The sun is a regular fixture in our lives and besides the few days of monsoon you can always find people hanging their laundry under the harsh midday sun, letting it dry naturally. However, despite being a land of sunny days, India faces a hidden health concern, widespread vitamin D deficiency, as 9 out of 10 Indians are vitamin D deficient and a majority of them are unaware of it. Modern lifestyles, indoor routines, and limited sun exposure have created a sunshine gap that silently impacts energy, immunity, bone health, blood sugar levels and even mental health. This has left medical professionals grappling with an unresolved question, how do you convince people who invest vicariously in sun protection that they do in fact need more sun exposure and the answer is you cannot because you will need significant levels of sun exposure at mid-day for several times a week without wearing sunscreen to get sufficient levels of vitamin D. Something which is simply not possible for everyone as prolonged exposure to the sun without sunscreen can also cause tanning and sun rashes, not to mention it is not wise to go out in the sun without applying sunscreen as the depleted ozone layer has made it easier for the sun’s harmful ultraviolet rays to penetrate earth, these rays are known to cause skin cancer. Not to mention in the winter, only 10 percent of the body is exposed, and nearly 2 hours of sun exposure at noon is needed to produce a sufficient amount of vitamin D, thus the deficiency levels are especially heightened during the winter months. The issue of lack of sun exposure would be less of a problem if our regular diet provided us with adequate levels of vitamin D. But there aren't many vitamin D–rich foods and an individual will need to eat a lot of them to get 800 to 1,000 IU per day. Vitamin D is found in fortified grains but people who have issues like Crohn’s disease or Celiac disease and cannot consume grains in large quantities will be left out. According to a Harvard Study you will need to consume fish and shellfish provide natural vitamin D, but the caveat is that you'll have to eat about 5 ounces of salmon, 7 ounces of halibut, 30 ounces of cod, or nearly two 8-ounce cans of tuna to get just 400 IU. This is where supplements come in. Vitamin D supplements can help you bridge that gap of deficiency without you having to stand out for hours in the sun or consume high quantities of the limited number of Vitamin D rich food.Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) supplements, which supports bone strength, immunity, and overall vitality, are available in easy-to-drink oral solutions made using Nano Technology to ensure better absorption and faster action compared to traditional formulations. These formulations are also sugar-free so even diabetics can consume them without having to worry about pushing their blood sugar levels over the edge. Thus, these supplements offer a clinically tested, easy-to-absorb, and precisely dosed form of Vitamin D3, making it a reliable over-the-counter solution for people who don’t get enough from diet or sunlight.Vitamin D deficiency like all other deficiencies comes with its own set of symptoms like fatigue, weakness, low mood points, back pain, muscle fatigue all of which are too common and are associated with a host of other issues and thus easy to miss or blame on everyday fallacies of leading a busy modern life. However, if you notice any of these symptoms it is better to get your vitamin D levels tested and start on the proper course of supplements after consulting a doctor. Most importantly, it always helps to remember that living in a tropical country doesn’t guarantee sufficient Vitamin D. After all, while our grandparents relied on the sun to dry their clothes, today we barely step out to feel its warmth.Dr. Manishi Nautiyal, Consultant Endocrinologist, S.L. Raheja Hospital, Mumbai - A Fortis Associate