By Admin 
Vitamin D is a very important nutrient for our body. It is also called sunshine vitamin because it is produced in the body when sunlight falls on our skin. This vitamin helps in absorbing calcium and phosphorus in the body, which keeps our bones strong, muscles healthy and immune system better. The surprising thing is that despite so much sunlight, every second person in India is suffering from Vitamin D deficiency.
Recently, a big study conducted by Metropolis Healthcare Limited has expressed deep concern over this situation. This research lasted for 6 years and included tests of more than 20 lakh people across the country. The report revealed that about 46.5 percent of Indians have severe deficiency of Vitamin D, while 26 percent of the people have incomplete levels, that is, there is a possibility of Vitamin D deficiency or deficiency in about three-fourth of the country’s population. So let us know the special features of this study, its results and the opinion of experts.
Major research across the country continued for 6 years
Metropolis Healthcare Limited conducted Vitamin D tests of about 20.2 lakh people across the country from 2019 to January 2025. These results revealed that almost every second Indian is suffering from Vitamin D deficiency. According to this research, half the population in the country is suffering from Vitamin D deficiency. Research has found that almost 3 out of every 4 people in India are at risk of Vitamin D deficiency or deficiency.
According to the report, Vitamin D deficiency in India is increasing not only due to common reasons but also due to lifestyle and food habits. As people stay inside the office or home all day long, the habit of going out in the sun has reduced, there is a lack of things rich in Vitamin D like eggs, fish, milk, ghee etc. in the diet. However, a slight improvement was seen between 2019 and 2024. Whereas earlier 51 percent people were suffering from its deficiency, in 2023-24 this rate has come down to 43 percent.
Children and teenagers are most affected
Vitamin D deficiency was most common in teenagers aged 13 to 18 years. This means that about 7 out of every 10 teenagers were deficient in it, due to which online studies, spending more time on mobile and less time playing outside. Earlier, Vitamin D deficiency was more common in women, but now the difference has reduced. Now the reduction in women has reached 46.9 percent and in men the reduction has reached 45.8 percent. Experts believe that this change has happened due to increasing awareness about nutrition and health among women.
Different situations in different states
Wide variation in Vitamin D deficiency was seen in different parts of India. Like South India has the highest decrease, 51.6 percent, especially in Kerala, Puducherry and Tamil Nadu, apart from this there is a decrease of 48.1 percent people in Central India, 44.9 percent decrease in North India, West India is in a slightly better situation, 42.9 percent decrease, North-East India has the least decrease of 36.9 percent because people there spend more time outside and have diversity in their diet.
Experts say what to do
1. Spend time in the sun for 15 to 20 minutes daily.
2. Include eggs, milk, cheese, curd, fish, mushrooms, ghee and fortified foods in your diet.
3. You can take Vitamin D supplements or drops as per doctor’s advice.
4. Keep checking your vitamin D and calcium levels by getting regular blood tests done.
Also read: Health Ministry order AIIMS: Now there will be no problem in understanding the handwriting of AIIMS doctors, patients’ prescriptions will have to be written in Hindi.
Disclaimer: This information is based on research studies and expert opinion. Do not consider this as a substitute for medical advice. Before adopting any new activity or exercise, please consult your doctor or relevant specialist.
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