The Saga of Vitamin D deficiency in Qatar

“More than 80% of the Qatari population suffers from low levels of vitamin D”

– Dr. Vinay Ganji, Associate Professor at Qatar University College of Health Sciences (QU-CHS)

You probably know that the primary source of vitamin D is right outside your door and up in the sky and undoubtedly Qatar has an abundance of it, yet the prevalence of Vitamin D deficiency in the Qatari population is pretty high.

Source: University Health News

Why so?

Vitamin D is primarily produced by exposing the skin to ultraviolet B radiation from the sun.

However, this is not always a good option for us. Due to the high summer temperatures in Qatar, prolonged sun exposure comes with a high risk of heat strokes and dehydration, which ultimately reduces our time out in the Sun.

Majority of Women here are generally all covered with very little or no part of their body exposed to the Sun. Also, using a sunscreen, even with an SPF 8, can block up to 98% of vitamin D intake.

The sun’s rays that help produce vitamin D in your skin can’t penetrate glass – so travelling to work or sitting at home in your sunlit room won’t be equivalent to sunbathing!

Why should you worry about your Vitamin D levels?

Maintaining healthy levels of vitamin D has been shown to be an important part of overall health.

It is an essential nutrient that helps with the absorption of calcium in our bodies which is vital for the strength and growth of bones and teeth. It also helps with the functioning of the muscular and immune systems and plays a role in reducing inflammations.

A lack of vitamin D increases the risk of developing conditions like rickets in children, bone pain, and weakness/softness of bones (osteomalacia/osteoporosis).

More and more research suggests adequate amounts of vitamin D in the blood can play a role in the prevention and treatment of a number of different conditions, including Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes, hypertension, glucose intolerance, and multiple sclerosis.

This was confirmed by, Dr. Vijay Ganji, Associate Professor at Qatar University College of Health Sciences (QU-CHS) Department of Human Nutrition, who presented a Continuing Professional Development (CPD) seminar on “Vitamin D and Chronic Diseases: What is the Evidence? Is it Time for Supplementation”, at Hamad General Hospital in April.

He noted that more than 80% of the Qatari population suffers from low levels of vitamin D. He said: “Vitamin D deficiency is related to several chronic infirmities such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, several inflammatory diseases, and cancer.”

How to know if you’re Vitamin D deficient?

Vitamin D deficiency is incredibly common and most people are unaware of it.

That’s because the symptoms are often subtle and non-specific, meaning that it’s hard to know if they’re caused by low vitamin D levels or something else.

While there are often no symptoms of mild vitamin D deficiency, severe cases may notice the following symptoms:

• Unexplained Fatigue
• Bone Pain/Muscle weakness
• Increased blood pressure
• Difficulty in clear thinking
• Depression

If you think you may have a deficiency, it’s important that you speak to your doctor and get your blood levels measured.

Regular checkups for vitamin D levels are highly advisable, especially for pregnant/breastfeeding women and their infants.

How do you increase your Vitamin D levels given the minimal sun exposure?

Fixing your deficiency is simple, easy and can have big benefits for your health.

Apart from Sunlight, Vitamin D can also be obtained from dietary sources by eating vitamin D-rich foods.

Some examples of Vitamin D rich food – Oily fish (salmon, tuna, sardines, and mackerel), and egg yolks. Dairy products (milk, cheese, and yogurt), powdered milk, margarine, and breakfast cereal fortified with Vitamin D.

Another way of getting Vitamin D is through supplements. There are two kinds of supplements – D2 (ergocalciferol), which is the type found in food, and D3 (cholecalciferol), which is the type made from sunlight. They’re produced differently, but both can raise the vitamin D levels in the blood.

Make sure you consult a doctor before taking vitamin D supplements as prolonged overconsumption can lead to excessive calcium absorption which will eventually weaken and soften the bones, as well as cause kidney damage.

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By Jasmine Sharif  @stylehappysmiles