56 percent of Kuwaiti suffer from vitamin D deficiency

56 percent of Kuwaiti suffer from vitamin D deficiency

By Faten Omar

KUWAIT: Vitamin D is an essential nutrient that plays a crucial role in maintaining the health of bones, teeth and muscles. According to an awareness campaign launched by Kuwait Medical Student Association, 56 percent of Kuwaiti people suffer from vitamin D deficiency, based on studies. The association revealed that vitamin D deficiency is important and is considered an essential factor for the absorption of calcium and phosphorus from food and a key factor in strengthening immunity, preventing osteoporosis and reducing the risk of cancer. They revealed that there are several causes of vitamin D deficiency.

The most common cause is a lack of exposure to sunlight, explaining that the body produces vitamin D when the skin is exposed to sunlight, but many people spend most of their time indoors or use sunscreen, which can block the production of vitamin D. Those most at risk of vitamin D deficiency are those who are dark skinned, vegetarians, obese people, the elderly, pregnant women, nursing mothers and patients with liver and kidney diseases.

The association revealed that one of the symptoms of vitamin D deficiency is classified into two parts: moderate deficiency, whose symptoms include headache, fatigue, loss of appetite and hair loss;