Chennai : Levels of Vitamin D below 30ng/ml are considered insufficient or deficient. Vitamin D deficiency results in poor bone health and causes severe bone pain and fractures. Studies show that women in India often overlook signs of poor bone health. Records from Vitamin-D testing camps conducted by Apollo Clinic in collaboration with Horlicks Women’s Plus in 2023 revealed that approximately 80% of urban women in India have low Vitamin D levels. A Momspresso study in 2023 highlighted that 87% of women who suffer from body aches remain unaware of the link between body aches and poor bone health and turn to temporary pain relief.
Dr Suma Raghuram, General Physician, Apollo Clinic Chennai says, “Working women especially those who have desk jobs are quite prone to Vitamin D deficiency. They suffer from vague bone pains or in some cases specific pain such as back pain or knee pain. They resort to painkillers or ointments that do not solve the problem. We have observed that 80% of the pain that occurs due to poor bone health among women goes away after regular intake of nutritional supplements containing Vitamin D and calcium. Women need to be educated about the type and quantity of nutritional supplements to be taken to help them maintain their bone health. A good diet, physical exercise along with nutritional supplements with Vitamin D will save them from the risk of Vitamin D deficiency and weak and brittle bones.”
Vitamin D is produced in the skin after exposure to sunlight. A sedentary lifestyle, polluted air and indoor workspaces have contributed to the increased prevalence of Vitamin D deficiency. Dietary sources of Vitamin D are very limited. The best sources are fatty fish and fish liver oil; a small quantity is also found in egg yolk and certain mushrooms. Including nutritional supplements in the diet is recommended to maintain optimum levels of Vitamin D.
Nutritional supplements with 100% recommended dietary allowance of calcium and Vitamin D are readily available, affordable and are beneficial to improve bone health. Along with the intake of nutritional supplements, women should also adopt healthy habits such as sufficient exposure to sunlight and regular exercise. This holistic approach can improve their bone health and reduce body aches and the risk of fractures as they age.
