A simple blood test revealed startling results – her Vitamin D levels were critically low.
Initially baffled by the diagnosis, she soon learned about the importance of Vitamin D for bone health, immune function, and overall well-being.
In Kashmir, there’s a prevalent vitamin D deficiency, particularly among women, stemming from inadequate sunlight exposure and a scarcity of foods rich in vitamin D in their diets.
A study titled ‘Assessment of Vitamin D Status in General Population of Kashmir Valley of Indian Subcontinent’, looked into the vitamin D levels of people of Kashmir by measuring serum 25-hydroxyvitamin [25(OH)D] levels.
The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency ranged from 58% in the farmers’ group to 93% in the employee group.
Srinagar May 4: Famida Jan, a vibrant woman whose days were often overshadowed by fatigue and persistent muscle pain. Despite the lush greenery and ample sunlight outside her window, she found herself confined indoors.
As the symptoms persisted and intensified, she sought medical advice. A simple blood test revealed startling results – her Vitamin D levels were critically low.
Initially baffled by the diagnosis, she soon learned about the importance of Vitamin D for bone health, immune function, and overall well-being. She learnt factors like conservative cultural practices, limited outdoor activities, and inadequate dietary sources had contributed to her deficiency.
In Kashmir, there’s a prevalent vitamin D deficiency, particularly among women, stemming from inadequate sunlight exposure and a scarcity of foods rich in vitamin D in their diets.
Vitamin D deficiency is high in Kashmir especially among women due to insufficient exposure to sunlight and lack of vitamin D-rich foods in diet, says a study.
A study titled ‘Assessment of Vitamin D Status in General Population of Kashmir Valley of Indian Subcontinent’, looked into the vitamin D levels of people of Kashmir by measuring serum 25-hydroxyvitamin [25(OH)D] levels.
The study has found that vitamin D deficiency was very high in the valley, especially among women.
“222 (82.2%) of the subjects studied had Vitamin D deficiency. 45 of the 69 males and 177 of the 201 females were found to be Vitamin D deficient. The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency ranged from 58% in the farmers’ group to 93% in the employee group. Further, vitamin D deficient subjects had a significantly lower mean weekly exposure to sunlight,” read the study.
Many factors can cause vitamin D deficiency including insufficient exposure to sunlight and lack of vitamin D-rich foods in the diet. Other reasons could be kidneys’ inability to convert vitamin D into its active form and because your digestive tract cannot adequately absorb the nutrient, experts say.
Dr Mohammad Shafi, a physician said some of the early and most common symptoms of vitamin D deficiency include fatigue, insomnia, hair loss, loss of appetite, bone pain and aches.
He said changing food habits and an indoor lifestyle with inadequate exposure to sunlight have led to a drastic increase in cases of vitamin D deficiency
“Sunlight is the best source of vitamin D. Those suffering from Vitamin D deficiency should take fish, red meat, liver, and egg yolks,” the doctor said.
According to experts, the human skin contains a type of cholesterol that functions as a precursor to vitamin D. When exposed to UV-B radiation from the sun, it turns into vitamin D.
“The unplanned pregnancies in women with dietary deficits can lead to worsening of vitamin D status in both mother and child,” the doctor added.
