Did you know that every 3 out of 4 Indians suffer from vitamin D deficiency? This is becoming a serious health issue that affects urban and rural areas equally, impacting people of all ages. The majority of Indians lack this vital nutrient, which leads to a range of health problems that we usually tend to ignore. Let’s explore why vitamin D is essential for the body and how we can prevent its deficiency.

हिंदी में पढ़ने के लिए यहाँ क्लिक करें 

What is Vitamin D?

A vitamin D deficiency means you don't have enough of this vitamin in your body. It is a fat-soluble vitamin used by the body for normal bone development and maintenance by absorbing calcium, magnesium and phosphate more efficiently. Vitamin D is often called the sunshine vitamin and despite being a sunny country, it is becoming increasingly rare in our modern lives. It doesn’t just weaken the bones and promote fatigue, it can affect your energy, strength and be a hurdle in your weight loss. People are busy and more indoors, hence their connection with sunlight is slowly dying. 

The Role of Vitamin D in the Human Body

Vitamin D plays an imperative role to maintain overall health. Vitamin D helps in building bones and keeping them strong. When you don't take enough vitamin D, your calcium levels drop. Then, the body pulls calcium from your bones into your blood to bring your levels back into balance. Vitamin D also plays a role in how your nervous system, immune system, and muscles work.

• Strengthens Bones and Joints- Vitamin D helps the body absorb calcium to make the bones stronger and to reduce the joint pain. 
• Boosts Immunity- It strengthens the immune system to prepare it for fighting off common infections.
• Improves Mood and Energy- When the body doesn’t have enough vitamin D, it can cause fatigue and upset moods.
• Promotes Weight Loss- Low levels of vitamin D have been linked to issues like obesity and excess weight, whereas sufficient vitamin D supports metabolism and healthy weight loss. 

As per Ayurveda, vitamin D is paramount to build vitality (ojas) that sustains the mind and the body. 

What Causes Vitamin D Deficiency?

Despite the abundance of sunlight in India, several factors contribute to this deficiency:

• Lack of Sun Exposure- People have stopped going outdoors to sunbathe like earlier, they keep inside for most. Pollution is also a contributing factor to block UV rays which are needed for vitamin D.
• Dietary Gaps- Usual vegetarian diet often lack direct sources of vitamin D. That’s why Ayurveda emphasizes on enhanced plant-based oils or mushrooms for a rich vitamin D source. 
• Lifestyle Habits- Inactive lifestyles and close to none outdoor activities contribute to weaker absorption of natural vitamin D. 

What Happens When Your Vitamin D is Low?

The symptoms of its deficiency aren’t unique and could be overlooked easily:

1. Fatigue even after resting enough.
2. Joint pain especially in knees or lower back.
3. Muscle weakness that affects regular activities.
4. No results in weight loss, despite efforts.
5. Increased tendency to infections or frequent colds.

How Can You Raise Your Vitamin D Level?

Ayurveda signifies prevention over cure. Here are some natural ways to maintain healthy vitamin D levels:

• Regular Sunlight- Take out 10-20 minutes everyday in the morning to spend under the rising sun. The early rays are gentle and harmless.You can even practice yoga and meditation outdoors for enhanced benefits. 

• Ayurvedic Diet- Begin intake of foods that naturally boost the levels of your vitamin D like cereals, soy or almond milk, sun-exposed mushrooms and sesame seeds for its calcium and bone-strengthening properties. 

• Herbal Supplements- You can incorporate Ayurvedic herbs such as Ashwagandha to energize and vitalize your body, Moringa for nutritional properties. They aren’t a direct source for vitamin D, but they strengthen the body’s overall resilience.

• Traditional Oil Massage- Abhyanga, an Ayurvedic self-massage with warm sesame or mustard oil, improves bone and muscle health while nourishing the skin exposed to the sun.

• Active Lifestyle- Regular physical activity, such as walking or yoga, enhances metabolism and strengthens muscles and joints, complementing vitamin D’s benefits.

Conclusion

Vitamin D deficiency is more than just a common issue; it is a signal call to reconnect with nature to protect our body's needs. Even small changes and habits like embracing sunlight, eating nutritional foods and following the path of Ayurveda, we can protect ourselves from fatigue, joint pain, obesity, etc. Remember what we have always learned, prevention is better than cure. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

• What foods are high in vitamin D?

Dietary sources are also important for vitamin D like mushrooms, Soy, almond, oat, or coconut milk often contain added vitamin D. Many breakfast cereals are fortified with vitamin D, some tofu brands are enriched with vitamin D and other nutrients like calcium.

• How to solve vitamin D deficiency?

Some natural ways to maintain healthy vitamin D levels are regular exposure to rising sun, Ayurvedic Diet with vitamin D rich foods, herbal supplements like Ashwagandha and Moringa for strength, traditional oil massage and an active lifestyle. 

READ MORE- GREEN TEA FOR DIABETES AND ANXIETY