Sunshine is one 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. In India, people were not aware of Vitamin D deficiency and its ill effects. However awareness is growing, and now we know how important it is for our health.
Many factors come into play to bring about Vitamin D deficiency, leading to some health issues. With age, our body loses its ability to synthesize Vitamin D from sunlight. Also, very few foods in our diet provide Vitamin D naturally. Additionally, the corona-induced lockdown has not been good news either. If we can not step out, the amount of sunlight we get is further reduced. The social cutoff is also leading to mental health issues. Recent studies have concluded that deficiency of Vitamin D can be one of the causes of depression. When there is a deficiency, it affects certain parts of our brain and may lead to depression.
Experts have analyzed and concluded that deficiency of low Vitamin D levels leads to depression. Vitamin D is essential for the healthy functioning of our brain. It is because low Vitamin D levels affect the mood and behavior of a person adversely. It is also possible that people with depression spend less time socially, less time outside, and eat poorly, all of which further leads to Vitamin D deficiency.
Getting enough sunlight or taking Vitamin D supplements is not being suggested by experts a cure for depression. It needs to be diagnosed and treated clinically. But getting enough sunlight will help us maintain sufficient levels of Vitamin D in our body, to bring down the risk factor.
How to diagnose?
Neither depression nor Vitamin D deficiency is self-diagnosable. If you are showing any symptoms as mentioned below, then it is best to consult a doctor
Aching bones, fatigue, and drowsiness can be cause of low Vitamin D levels.
Typical symptoms of depression are
Insomnia, Lethargy, A feeling of sadness, hopelessness and fear, Loss of appetite, Forgetfulness or confusion, Anxiety, Headaches or unexplained pains, and Lack of interest in any activity.
The doctor will do a physical and clinical examination to determine the cause and suggest 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 with many things, including reducing the risk of getting into depression.
How to counter?
The best way to naturally get Vitamin D in the body is to get enough sunlight. The suggested duration is 15 minutes of sunlight between 10 am to 3 pm. During the day, take care to avoid direct sunlight at noon. During the summer, it is best to get the sunlight only during the early morning or late evening to avoid sunstroke.
Foods like mushrooms, egg yolk, salmon etc can help in increasing Vitamin D levels in the body naturally. The next best thing is to include Vitamin D fortified foods like cereals, juices, milk etc.
So in the end, you must take care of your Vitamin D levels, if not taken care it might lead you to get into depression.
Waiting for your views on this blog.
Anil Malik
Mumbai, India
24th January 2022
Tejinder Singh Sethi
Vitamin D deficiency can lead to a loss of bone density, which can contribute to osteoporosis and fractures (broken bones). Severe vitamin D deficiency can also lead to other diseases. In children, it can cause rickets. Rickets is a rare disease that causes the bones to become soft and bend.