Doctor tells how to fight vitamin D deficiency

Vitamin D deficiency is a common problem worldwide and among people of all ages. More than 50% of the world's population suffers from some degree of deficiency.

The body synthesizes vitamin D under the influence of ultraviolet B rays. We can absorb only a small amount of vitamin D through food.

The problem of vitamin D deficiency is especially relevant for people living in countries with insufficient sunny days. Belarus is one of such countries, where vitamin D deficiency is observed in 73% of women and 61% of men.

Oncologist of the 1st category of the HappyDerm medical center Lyudmila Artyushkevich notes that the risk group also includes infants, pregnant and lactating women, elderly people, overweight people and those who lead an “office” lifestyle.

How to compensate for vitamin D deficiency

It is important to understand:

1. Before going out into the sun, it is worth knowing that to produce vitamin D you should be in the sun from 11:00 to 14:00.
2. Sunscreens with SPF higher than 8, clothing and glass can block the UVB rays needed to synthesize vitamin D.
3. Tanning can also block UVB rays.
4. The supply of vitamin D accumulated during the summer period is enough for approximately two to three months.

Vitamin D is found in large quantities in fatty fish, as well as in milk, butter, cheese and egg yolk, but even a diet rich in these foods does not always solve the problem.

One of the simplest and most effective ways to replenish vitamin D deficiency is to take special medications. Your doctor may prescribe you additional vitamin D in the form of tablets or capsules. The dosage will depend on the level of vitamin D deficiency in your body.

Who needs to take vitamin D

All residents of Belarus are recommended to take vitamin D all year round, except for holidays spent in sunny countries. Before starting to take it, you need to take a blood test for vitamin D content.

The optimal blood level is between 30 and 100 ng/ml. A level below 30 ng/ml indicates a deficiency, and less than 20 ng/ml indicates a deficiency. Vitamin D levels above 150 ng/ml can cause toxic effects.

Prevention

For prevention in healthy people with optimal levels of vitamin D within the normal range, it is recommended to take 1000 IU of vitamin D per day for children and 1000-2000 IU for adults. It is advisable to take vitamin D in the first half of the day.

Treatment

If vitamin D deficiency or deficiency is proven, treatment is mandatory. The treatment regimen and dosage should be selected individually by a doctor.

Therapeutic doses of vitamin D can range from 2,000 IU to 10,000 IU daily. Laboratory testing should be performed 1-2 months after the start of treatment to decide whether to switch to prophylactic doses.

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• 2 April 2023

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