Vitamin D deficiency

Vitamin D deficiency has become a global problem. Estimated figures show that almost 1 billion people have inadequate levels of vitamin D in their blood. Although all age groups are vulnerable to this deficiency, toddlers, women, and people over the age of 65 are at a much higher risk. One of the major reasons for this deficiency is the lack of exposure to sunlight and not consuming foods with sufficient amounts of vitamin D.
Health care professionals identify vitamin D deficiency as a contributing factor for many diseases as it possesses a major disease fighting role. Major areas of concern for vitamin D deficiency are the lack of awareness and the high costs of the diagnostic tests. We should prepare diagnostic kits locally in order to reduce the cost of the test. Furthermore, physicians must regularly prescribe this test, while people must also ensure they get enough sunlight and eat foods with vitamin D.
Aleem Ahmed
Islamabad