Vitamin D is produced by our skin upon exposure to sunlight.

Hence, one may think that in sunny Singapore, Vitamin D deficiency would be rare.

However, Vitamin D Deficiency is very common.

Prevalence of Vitamin D deficiency has been found to be as high as 42% in the general population, rising to 92% in the elderly population!

Importance of Vitamin D

Vitamin D has multiple important roles in our body, helping to :

• Maintain the health of our bones and teeth.
• Support the health of our immune system, brain, and nervous system.
• Regulate insulin levels and aiding in diabetes management.
• Optimise cardiovascular health.
• Influence expression of genes involved in development of cancer.

Therefore, the importance of Vitamin D cannot be overstated!

Symptoms of Vitamin D deficiency

Some of the symptoms of Vitamin D deficiency may include:

• Fatigue
• Painful bones
• Muscle pain
• Falling sick more easily
• Depressed mood
• Hair loss
• Impaired wound healing

Foods Rich in Vitamin D 

1. Consume foods rich in vitamin D.

To ensure adequate levels of Vitamin D, the Health Promotion Board (HPB) recommends a diet containing food rich in Vitamin D, such as eggs, mushrooms, and oily fish.

2. Get enough sunlight.

It is recommended to get at least 5 to 30 minutes of sun exposure without sunscreen between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m, at least twice a week.

3. Consume Vitamin D supplements. (If you have a Vitamin D deficiency)

However, point #1 and #2 are only sufficient to maintain a healthy level of Vitamin D.

If one is already deficient, one will have to take Vitamin D supplements to achieve healthy levels.

Lifelong supplementation may be needed for those who are persistently unable to maintain healthy Vitamin D levels.

Worried about Vitamin D deficiency? Speak to your doctor about it today or make an appointment here.