If you are experiencing a deficiency in Vitamin D, the reason could be your indoor job and the sedentary lifestyle. The sun is our main source of vitamin D and spending most of our days indoor limits our exposure to sunlight. A study has been published in the BMC Public Health report, which reveals that our 9-5 job is impacting our health in more ways than we thought. Understanding this widespread vitamin deficiency across professions could help to improve prevention strategies and public health interventions.
 
vitamin d sunlight work

Vitamin D or commonly known as the sunshine vitamin
Photo Credit: iStock

Vitamin D, commonly known as the sunshine vitamin is essential for strong bones as it helps to absorb calcium for our food. Traditionally, vitamin D deficiency has been associated with rickets, a disease in which the bone tissue doesn't properly mineralise, leading to soft bones and skeletal deformities. But increasingly, research is revealing the importance of vitamin D in protecting against a host of health problems. This is why this vitamin is extremely essential.

Dr. Sebastian Straube, the corresponding author of the study provides an insight on how our occupation plays a major role in determining our vitamin D levels.

He suggested that all workplaces should have regular screenings especially for the 'at risk' groups. From among the shift workers, 80% experience vitamin D deficiency, in the indoor worker group 77% of the workers are Vit D deficient and from among medical students, 72% of the workers have a deficiency in vitamin D. He also suggested that 'workplace wellness' programs should be initiated that could include education about the importance of adequate vitamin D levels.

This could help prevent adverse health outcomes linked to vitamin D deficiency, such as metabolic disorders, psychiatric and cardiovascular disorders and cancer.

(Inputs from ANI)

Also read Deficiency in Vitamin D and Calcium increases Melanoma risk.