Vitamin D deficiency among 80-90% world population

Some 80-90% of world population have been suffering from Vitamin D deficiency but mostly ignored and undiagnosed, according to UNB.

The main source of Vitamin D is ultraviolet ray from sunlight while sea-fish, cod liver oil, beef liver, egg yolk, milk, butter, cheese, mushroom and fortified food products like cereals, bread, yoghurt and oatmeal are food sources.

The people stay in houses and deprived of sunlight and women covered with 'burka', 'hijab' have the risk of vitamin-D deficiency.

The data and observation were disclosed at a seminar on Vitamin D deficiency held at Kurmitola General Hospital (KGH) in the city on Thursday, said a press release of Inter Service Public Relation (ISPR) Directorate.

Prof Md Abdur Razzak, head of Medicine Department, Armed Forces Medical College (AFMC) and assistant professor Md Abdullahel Kafee, Department of Medicine, KGH spoke in the seminar jointly organised by Department of Medicine, Armed Forces Medical College (AFMC) and Kurmitola General Hospital (KGH).

Md Fashiur Rahman, director General Medical Services attended the seminar as chief guest, while Md Azizul Islam, consultant physician general was present as special guest with Md Mustafizur Rahman, commandant of the AFMC in the chair.

Quazi Md Rashid-Un-Nabi, director of the KGH delivered the welcome speech at the seminar.

Highlighting the various aspects of Vitamin D, speakers said, the main role of Vitamin D is to increase calcium absorption from the gut and bone formation. It has also immunomodulatory and anti-cancer effects, they added.

Lack of sun exposure, using sunscreen or clothing covering the whole body (Veil, Burka, Hijab, Niqab etc.), strict vegetarian diet and lack of Vitamin D containing food are responsible for Vitamin D deficiency.

Vitamin D deficiency causes Ricket in children and Osteomalacia among adults. Other health hazards are backache, myalgia, muscle weakness, increased chance of cancer, immunological diseases (SLE, Rheumatoid Arthritis), infection, dental problem, neuropsychiatric disorders (Dementia, Alzheimer's, Parkinsonism, Multiple Sclerosis, Schizophrenia) and feto-maternal complications.

The speakers said, the health awareness, lifestyle modification, sun exposure, intake of Vitamin D containing food can solve the problem easily.

They also emphasised the preventive aspects for the Vitamin D deficiency.

The physicians of KGH, heads of the departments of AFMC, senior officials from Dhaka CMH were present at the seminar.