Sometimes, we fail to appreciate something that we have in abundance. Sunshine is one of such thing that we Indians are blessed with, naturally. Except for peak winter in some parts of India, we get more than enough sunlight. Vitamin D is naturally produced in our body when exposed to sunlight. Hence, it is also called the sunshine Vitamin. We Indians were not aware of VITAMIN D DEFICIENCY and its ill effects till recently. However, awareness is growing , and we now know how important Vitamin D is to our good health.
Many factors come into play to bring about Vitamin D deficiency in seniors, leading to health issues. With age, our body loses its ability to synthesise Vitamin D from sunlight. Also, very few foods in our diet provide Vitamin D naturally. In the recent times Covid 19 pandemic restricted outside movements, which was not a good news for Vitamin D deficiency affected people. If we can not step out, the amount of sunlight we get is reduced further. Covid lockdown promoted one other issue which was social cutoff, which led to mental health issues.
What is more alarming is the scientific evidence suggesting that Vitamin D deficiency as a risk factor for depression. Hence, the prevalent circumstances can become conducive for mental health issues unless we understand the same and take necessary action.
Researchers have found that people with depression have low Vitamin D levels. They have analysed, and concluded that Vitamin D is essential for the healthy functioning of brain. When there is deficiency, it affects certain parts of our brain and may lead to depression. There is conclusion on low Vitamin D levels being a risk factor for depression. It is because low Vitamin D levels affect the moods and behavior of a person adversely. It is also possible that person with depression spend less time socially, less time outside, and eat poorly, all of which lead to Vitamin D deficiency. It has become well known fact that getting enough sunlight will help us maintain sufficient levels of Vitamin D in our body, to bring down the risk factor for depression.
How to diagnose?
Neither depression nor Vitamin D deficiency is self-diagnosable. If you are showing any symptoms as below, it is best to consult doctor.
- Aching bones
- Fatigue
- Drowsiness
Typical symptoms of depression like
- Insomnia
- Lethargy
- A feeling of sadness, hopelessness, fear
- Loss of appetite
- Forgetfulness or confusion
- Anxiety
- Headaches or unexplained pains
- Lack of interest in any activity
The doctor will do a physical and clinical examination to determine the cause and suggest the treatment. A simple Vitamin D deficiency can be treated easily with some supplements with periodic monitoring. If found to be linked to depression, the doctor may suggest additional therapy or medication as may be the case. Treating Vitamin D deficiency can help many things, including the risk of getting into depression.
How to counter?
The best way to naturally get Vitamin D in body is to get enough sunlight. The suggested duration is 15 minutes of sunlight between 10 am to 3 pm during the day, taking care to avoid direct sunlight at noon. Especially, during summer, it is best to get sunlight only during the early morning or late evening to avoid sunstroke.
Foods like salmon, mackerel, mushrooms, egg yolk, etc., can help increase Vitamin D levels in the body naturally. The next best thing is to include Vitamin D fortified foods like cereals, juices, milk, etc. Even medicines are also available to enhance Vitamin D levels in the body.
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Anil Malik
Mumbai, India
10th July 202