D for Doomed?

Sixty-nine per cent of the Indian population is deficient in vitamin D and another 15 per cent has it in insufficient amounts. For them, 15 minutes of exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet rays is recommended for the production of vitamin D. As health facilities improve, more and more Indians will find themselves diagnosed with the deficiency.

Lack of vitamin D weakens muscles and can result in bowed legs. Rickets, a deformed spine and even heart disease are the other risks.

This is only a part of the story. Too much vitamin D isn’t good either. For all those who work outdoors or in the fields, an excess of it can mean dehydration, vomiting, kidney damage and even stones. Either way, if you don’t worship the sun or pray too much to it, you are doomed. So let’s make bones about it now

(Aman Nath is chairman of Neemrana Hotels. He is an author and culture curator)

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