Health benefits of vitamin D

Vitamin D is often called 'sunshine vitamin'. It is essential to human health and well-being. Although Bangladesh is a tropical country, many of its people are suffering from vitamin D deficiency. The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in the country can be explained by people's limited exposure to sunlight especially in the urban areas, limited outdoor activity by women and children and low consumption of vitamin D-rich food including sea fish. In fact, vitamin D deficiency is not a problem only in Bangladesh. It is a public health issue throughout the world. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), at least one billion people across the globe are vitamin D-deficient.

People with dark skin (which does not absorb the sunlight as well as light skin), and those who are obese and have liver or kidney problems are often at risk of vitamin D deficiency. A long-term deficiency can lead to osteoporosis, bone and muscle aches, depression and dental problems, among others. Inadequate exposure to sunlight, poor choice of food, ageing process, obesity, pregnancy and lactating stages can increase the need for this vital vitamin. Our lifestyle with poor exposure to sunlight results in vitamin D deficiency.

Research shows that being exposed to the sun for around 15 to 20 minutes a day on average is enough to give our body the right amount of Vitamin D it needs. There are no hard-and-fast rules, but being in the sun is considered ideal. We should undergo lifestyle modification so that we can reduce vitamin D deficiency. We should expose ourselves to sunshine at least two to three times a week to naturally minimise vitamin D deficiency. Sun alone is not enough anymore. We need to consume vitamin D rich foods. Foods containing this vitamin should be included in our regular diet. Sea fish like salmon, hilsa and sardines are rich in vitamin D. Additionally, red meat, liver, eggs, and breakfast cereals also contain vitamin D.

Samia Jahan Shefa,

Student of Department of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology,

Jashore University of Science and Technology, Jashore,

shefasamia8@gmail.com