Health Tips

Having more than 82% of sunshine all throughout the year in the Middle East, you might assume that people living there receive an abundant quantity of natural vitamin coming from the Sun in their system. Shockingly, the region recorded several of the highest rates of Vitamin D deficiency not only in the neighborhood countries but registered worldwide. In the present, the frequency of hypovitaminosis D is between 20-80% in different countries in the MENA region. FACT or MYTH about Vitamin D? Based on recent studies, several communities in the Middle East do not acquire adequate Sun, which sounds to be a MYTH for many since the region receives natural sunlight 300 days in a year. However, studies concluded the following reasons to explain the issue in cultural and scientific ways: Limited activities outside due to a scorch and dry climate in many regions Lack of government regulations for vitamin D enrichment of food Most of the people in the middle east have dark skin color causing the production of Vitamin D very slow in their systems Practices like extended breastfeeding without sufficient vitamin D supplementation, obesity, drinking tea and coffee constantly, etc. are all reasons that contribute to the scarcity. Is Vitamin D deficiency a BIG DEAL? A big YES! One of the major roles of Vitamin D in our system is to support calcium absorption as well as to sustain its levels in our circulatory system. No matter how much level of Calcium you are adding to your daily meals, without Vitamin D to your body will not take Calcium thus will not be absorbed by your bones. As a result, the absence of minerals like Calcium will lead the bones becoming thin and vulnerable at all times. In the long run, it promotes a higher risk of fractures, osteoporosis, and osteoarthritis. However, Vitamin D’s function is not only for calcium absorption. Researchers claim that it also plays an important role as a hormone in preventing the effects of a vast range of more serious diseases such as types of cancers and diabetes, Crohn’s disease, heart attacks, hip fractures, obesity, Alzheimer’s, and multiple sclerosis. It is also associated with some disorders like chronic fatigue, weakness, muscle cramps, muscle weakness, chronic colds, and flu. In some cases, the deficiency of Vitamin D can also affect you psychologically. Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), a mood disorder manifesting depressive symptoms, typically occurs during winter when there is little amount sunshine, and accompanies with the rapid drop in vitamin D levels in the body. Researchers have observed that SAD occurs when sudden change of Vitamin D levels in the body that may contribute to the production of “Serotonin”, also known as the “Happy Hormone”. Up to date, investigations are still ongoing to prove the hypothesis. In conclusion, Vitamin D deficiency can be considered as a major public health issue in many parts of the world including yours; hence, YES, it is a big deal to everyone. Key Points to REMEMBER Your Vitamin D Level depends on two factors: Vitamin D production in the skin under the influence of ultraviolet radiation from the sun, which naturally initiates the transformation of cholesterol in the skin to vitamin D. Vitamin D can be taken through our daily diet from naturally containing food, fortified food, or vitamin supplements. Remember, 90% of a person’s daily requirement comes naturally from the sunlight. For this reason, if sun exposure is not suggestible, vitamin D supplementation is highly recommendable. How to get Vitamin D Supplements? Propharma Medical Supplies is one of the leading distributors of Vitamin D2 and D3 in the United Arab Emirates. With their high-quality products, your Vitamin D deficiency issues mentioned above will be resolved right away. To be assisted, please call +971 2 673 4781 or send an email to [email protected] from Sundays to Thursdays, 8:00Am to 6:00PM.