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Let the sun shine for a brighter life

Dubai - Vitamin D helps reduce the risk of breast cancer, colon and prostate cancer, heart diseases, depression and weight gain.

The UAE is considered one of the hottest/sunniest regions to live in and most of us complain of the sun beating too hard on us. The irony of the situation is that a major section of the population still suffers from Vitamin D deficiency which requires as little as 10 minutes of exposure to sunlight daily. Also, the convenient lifestyle choices of a lot of people leads to this nutritional deficiency.
"A lot also has to do with the geographic location. We receive so much sunlight here in the UAE that the weather makes outdoor activities close to nil. High intake of soft drinks could also be a reason for the deficiency in youngsters. Stress, diet, obesity, smoking, consumption of alcohol are also causative factors," explained Dr George Thachil, General physician at Aster Clinic, Silicon Oasis, Dubai.
In fact Vitamin D deficiency is rather common among women and kids and the reasons for this could vary like not consuming food rich in Vitamin D and lack of outdoor activity and hence less exposure to the sun.
Importance of Vit D
Vitamin D helps reduce the risk of breast cancer, colon and prostate cancer, heart diseases, depression and weight gain .
"It is not proven that the lack of Vitamin D causes these conditions, but people with higher levels of Vitamin D have lower risk of developing these conditions," Dr Thachil said.
Vitamin D is one of the many important nutrients our body requires to stay healthy. It plays a vital role in the proper functioning of the body by helping absorb calcium to build bones and keep them strong. It also facilitates functioning of the immune system by fighting against infections and other illness, for instance flu.

The two most common conditions caused by deficiency of Vitamin D are rickets in children and osteoporosis (bones become brittle) in adults. "Vitamin D deficiency may differ from person to person depending on their body type and need for the nutrient. Some people have body types that have an increased need for Vitamin D, some do not make sufficient Vitamin D, and others have deficiency because of not enough dietary Vitamin D," Dr Thachil said.
How to deal with Vit D deficiency
"Review of a patient's medical history, symptoms, lifestyle and a simple blood test can reveal whether the patient has a lack of Vitamin D or not. There are available supplements and tablets for Vitamin D which can be used on being consulted and prescribed by a doctor," he added. 
Dr Thachil explained that certain lifestyle changes like including Vitamin D-rich foods in your diet comprising orange juice fortified with Vitamin D, eggs, margarine butter, milk, sardine, tuna, cereals will surely help go a long way in curbing the deficiency. Exposing yourself to sun light for at least 10 minutes a day will help the skin absorb vitamin D because sun is the main source of this nutrient.
Dr Ahmad Al Mohammed, specialist orthopedic surgeon, MedCare Medical Centre in Dubai Marina, said: "You cannot get the right amount of vitamin D your body needs only from food. As little as 10 minutes of exposure daily is thought to be enough to prevent deficiencies. Also, one must consume a variety of foods high in vitamin D, such as salmon, sardines, tuna, cod liver oil, egg yolk, milk and dairy products. Vitamin D therefore is vital for delaying the onset of osteoporosis and the regulating of the immune and nervous system in the body.
Studies have indicated that majority of adults in the UAE lack knowledge about vitamin D and its deficiency. Therefore, attempts to increase the awareness about this issue are required through education."