As per a study (Sizar et al., 2021), Vitamin D deficiency (VDD) is highly prevalent among more than one billion people worldwide. Vitamin D is of 2 types vitamin D3 and vitamin D2; It is a prohormone and has a significant role in controlling calcium and phosphorus metabolism. It also has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-proliferative functions in various parts of our body. VDD is a common symptom in most chronic and severe diseases such as cancer (prostate, breast, and colon cancer), mental disorders, asthma, diabetic retinopathy, infectious, autoimmune, and cardiovascular diseases. In children, VDD is linked to detrimental defects such as rickets, dental caries, growth failure, and premature death. VDD increases the risk of preeclampsia in pregnant women, which results in the need for a cesarean section. Pregnant, lactating, dark-toned (highly melanin pigmented), obese children and children and adults who abstained from direct sun exposure are at high risk of VDD. Consequentially use of sunscreen, season, altitude, latitude, time of the day, and clothing influence the sun-induced synthesis of vitamin D3 in the skin. UV-B and some UV-A radiation are absorbed by sunscreen, thus preventing it from reaching the skin and leading to VDD.

1. Vitamin D deficiency (VDD)
Kadeejath Rizwana
As per a study (Sizar et al., 2021), Vitamin D deficiency (VDD) is highly prevalent among
more than one billion people worldwide. Vitamin D is of 2 types vitamin D3 and vitamin D2;
It is a prohormone and has a significant role in controlling calcium and phosphorus
metabolism. It also has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-proliferative functions in
various parts of our body. VDD is a common symptom in most chronic and severe diseases
such as cancer (prostate, breast, and colon cancer), mental disorders, asthma, diabetic
retinopathy, infectious, autoimmune, and cardiovascular diseases. In children, VDD is linked
to detrimental defects such as rickets, dental caries, growth failure, and premature death.
VDD increases the risk of preeclampsia in pregnant women, which results in the need for a
cesarean section. Pregnant, lactating, dark-toned (highly melanin pigmented), obese
children and children and adults who abstained from direct sun exposure are at high risk of
VDD. Consequentially use of sunscreen, season, altitude, latitude, time of the day, and
clothing influence the sun-induced synthesis of vitamin D3 in the skin. UV-B and some UV-A
radiation are absorbed by sunscreen, thus preventing it from reaching the skin and leading
to VDD. The sunscreen with a protection factor of 8 can vigorously reduce cutaneous vitamin
D3 absorption capacity by 95%. A total of 90% of vitamin D is produced in the skin by
exposure to UV rays (at 290– 315 nm), the rest of 10% comes from dietary food intake. The
UK Government’s Public Health England Department recommends a daily intake of 10 μg of
vitamin D is a bit lower recommendation when compared with other guidelines. The
guideline of the Institute of Medicine recommends 15μg of vitamin D for those of age group
1–70 years and 20μg for ages above 70 years. Vitamin D2 (ergocalciferol) is a plant-derived
form that is found in mushrooms whereas vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) is animal-derived and
is rich in food such as oily fishes (mackerel, sardine, tuna, salmon), egg yolk, liver, cod liver
oil, and organ meats. Modern-day, some countries produce vitamin D-fortified cereals, milk,
and juices to nullify the severe deficiency of this vitamin among the population. Early
identification of VDD can be used as a preventive strategy to reduce its risk. Examination of
blood serum, dietary vitamin D food intake, and evaluation with clinical questionnaires can
be used as indicators to determine vitamin D.
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