Sankalp ​Vitamin D3

Sankalp Vitamin D3

VITAMIN D SOURCES

Vitamin D is obtained from food, supplements, and is also produced by the body when skin is exposed to sunlight. On exposure to sunlight, your skin makes vitamin D from cholesterol. The sun’s ultraviolet B (UVB) rays hit cholesterol in the skin cells, providing the energy for vitamin D synthesis to occur.

Few foods naturally contain vitamin D, though some foods are fortified with the vitamin such as breakfast cereals, plant milks and fat spreads. Most common food sources of vitamin D include cod liver oil, swordfish, salmon, canned tuna, beef liver, egg yolks, mushrooms and sardines

How to safely get vitamin D from sunlight

Midday, especially during summer, is the best time to get sunlight. At noon, the sun is at its highest point, and its UVB rays are most intense. That means you need less time in the sun to make sufficient vitamin D. Many studies also show that the body is most efficient at making vitamin D at noon. To maintain healthy blood levels, aim to get 10–30 minutes of midday sunlight, several times per week. People with darker skin may need a little more than this. Your exposure time should depend on how sensitive your skin is to sunlight. Since Vitamin D is produced in the presence of the sun’s ultraviolet-B (UVB) rays, hence its nickname, “the sunshine vitamin”. D2 is produced in plants and fungi and D3 in animals, including humans. Vitamin D production in the skin is the primary natural source of vitamin D, but many people have insufficient levels because they live in places where sunlight is limited in winter, or because they have limited sun exposure due to being inside much of the time. 

Skin color may also affect vitamin D production

The color of your skin is determined by a pigment called melanin. People with darker skin tend to have lower blood levels of vitamin D because the pigment (melanin) acts like a shade, reducing production of vitamin D (and also reducing damaging effects of sunlight on skin, including skin cancer). For the same reason, if you have dark skin, you may need to spend a bit more time in the sun to get your daily dose of vitamin D. For most people, the best way to get enough vitamin D is taking a supplement because it is hard to eat enough through food. Vitamin D2 (Ergocalciferol) or vitamin D3 (Cholecalciferol) is recommended as an oral supplement to prevent vitamin D deficiency. There are differences in absorption, binding, and inactivation of the two forms, with evidence usually favoring vitamin D3 in raising vitamin D levels in blood, though more research is needed The oral route of vitamin D3 supplement is the preferred one. It is generally indicated that the best regimen of vitamin D3 supplement consists of a large dose of 60,000 IU (International Unit) or more per week for 8 weeks 

VITAMIN D DEFICIENCY

Vitamin D deficiency is a prevalent health concern worldwide, characterized by insufficient levels of this crucial nutrient in the body. It can result from various factors, including inadequate sunlight exposure, dietary deficiencies, certain medical conditions, and lifestyle factors. Vitamin D deficiency can have significant implications on health, leading to weakened bones, increased risk of fractures, muscle weakness, and compromised immune function. Moreover, low levels of vitamin D have been associated with an elevated risk of various chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular diseases, autoimmune disorders, and certain types of cancer. Additionally, vitamin D deficiency has been linked to mood disorders like depression and Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)

The National institutes of Health (NIH) specifies the following levels for vitamin D:

Amount Category Health Effects
less than 30 nmol / L deficiency bone problems may result
30 to below 50 nmol / L inadequate risk of bone problems and other health issues
50 to 124 nmol / L adequate no impact on bone or other health issues
over 125 nmol / L too high adverse effects possible, especially over 150 nmol /L

Vitamin D is crucial since it affects musculoskeletal as well as non-skeletal functions of the body. Musculoskeletal effects of vitamin D deficiency include frequent falls, spontaneous fractures, and lower back pain. On the other hand allergic rhinitis, asthma, cancer, depression, diabetes, gestational diabetes, hypertension, and migraine are some examples of non-skeletal disorders caused by vitamin D deficiency. Given its widespread impact on health, awareness of vitamin D deficiency and strategies to prevent and address the same should be promoted. Therefore, regular monitoring of vitamin D levels is crucial

Lack of vitamin D can lead to several health problems, including increased risk of infections. The initial symptoms of vitamin D deficiency include fatigue, muscle weakness, and bone/joint pain which may be ignored as these symptoms are of behavioral nature. Many studies across the globe have shown the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and South Asia is one of the most affected regions. Although there is plenty of sunlight in India, vitamin D deficiency is very high. ​ 

On the other hand, individuals working in the healthcare profession, typically physicians and surgeons, are also supposed to understand the risks of vitamin D deficiency. However, there is limited data available regarding vitamin D levels of healthcare professionals (HCPs) in India. The working conditions for HCPs such as long working hours in closed buildings may affect their vitamin D levels mainly due to lack of sunlight exposure. It may be more difficult for certain HCPs who are confined in an artificially lit environment for longer periods due to their work speciality making it imperative to address Vitamin D deficiency in them

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