As India tries to make power as the sun shines, the public missing out on garnering the health benefits that come via the solar route.
In the national capital, 88 per cent Delhi residents suffer from deficiency of Vitamin D—its best source is the sun. And according to an ASSOCHAM Healthcare Committee report, 85 per cent of this deficiency is on account of non-exposure to sunlight.
The industry body that undertook the study expressed concern over the alarming rise of the vitamin deficiency, which leads to chronic muscle pain, spasms, low energy levels and depression. Vitamin D deficiency can lead to bone mineralisation, leading to bone softening diseases as rickets in children and osteomalacia and osteoporosis in adults.
But what is more alarming is that most people are blissfully ignorant about its consequences.
As summer sets in and sunshine scorches, people prefer to stay indoors, in air conditioned spaces for as long as they can.
The study sampled people in the 21-65 age group from Oct 2017 to March 2018. The deficiency was maximum among the 21-35 age group.
Now ASSOCHAM, as part of its CSR activities, intends to organise free medical camps to build awareness, offer comprehensive check up and counsel people. “Vitamin D deficiency can be easily corrected by Vitamin D supplementation or some lifestyle changes,” said Dr H.K. Chopra, co-chairman of ASSOCHAM Healthcare Council.
The cases of patients suffering from Vitamin D deficiency have been steadily rising in India. Men, women and children are equally affected.