Get enough vitamin D to stay healthy in Covid era: Nahyan

Make use of the sunshine to get your daily dose of Vitamin D and keep away from critical illnesses, said Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence.

He made the statement as he inaugurated the Abu Dhabi International Conference on Vitamin D deficiency and Human Health 2020 edition on Thursday.

"This conference is important because it highlights Vitamin D-related health issues. It provides insights on appropriate, preventive actions and treatment. Deficiency of this vitamin causes serious health problems such as obesity, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and reproductive issues, and have become even more important in this year of Covid-19," Sheikh Nahyan said.

"When we are weakened by any of these illnesses, we are more susceptible to the coronavirus disease. The lack of Vitamin D fuels this global pandemic. We should welcome the sun and make use of it. Our work evolves from the sun - the great source of Vitamin D," he added.

The minister noted that Abu Dhabi was blessed with plenty of Vitamin D because of its sunny weather, but citizens and residents routinely shade themselves from it. "Because of the reluctance of our population, it is unfortunate that the sun has not eliminated the problems associated with Vitamin D deficiency," said Sheikh Nahyan adding that Vitamin D is not only an essential vitamin, but also an indispensable hormone for human growth and survival.

The two-day virtual conference held under the theme "Exploring New Dimension of Vitamin D and its Impact on Human Health" witnessed the participation of renowned speakers, leading vitamin D experts, and scientists discussing the new approaches in the fight against Vitamin D Deficiency, and its impact on human health throughout the life cycle.

Dr Shamsheer Vayalil, conference president and managing director of VPS Healthcare, Abu Dhabi, said over the past years, the annual Abu Dhabi Conference on Vitamin D and Human Health has evolved as a principal forum to discuss the latest innovations in early detection, prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of Vitamin D Deficiency.

"The pandemic has made us realise the importance of these conferences. When new virus strains pose risks to human lives, the world must come together to deal with the crises. Platforms like this enable us to discuss the way forward," he said.

Medical experts also discussed the anti-inflammatory and anti-coagulant role of Vitamin D in fighting Covid-19.

ismail@khaleejtimes.com

• Abu Dhabi

Ismail Sebugwaawo

ismail@khaleejtimes.com