KUWAIT: During the scorching summer season in Kuwait, people avoid getting exposed to the sun - a powerful natural source of vitamin D. As a result, research has found a high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency among the population, raising concerns about its negative impact on bone health. So, what do experts say about the solutions available to address this phenomenon?
Dr Ahmad Abdul Malak, a family medical consultant, stated, "standing in the sun for 10 to 15 minutes could help produce 10,000 to 25,000 IU of vitamin D, which can meet your needs for at least seven to ten days.” He explained that the daily required vitamin D intake for an adult ranges from 400 to 600 units, though some international institutions suggest 800 units daily. "Exposing your hands and arms is enough, but that should be direct, not through a window or glass, and without wearing sunscreen,” he added.
The IOF (International Osteoporosis Foundation) suggested doing this activity outside peak sunlight hours, before 10 am and after 2 pm, daily, and advised being careful not to get skin burned. It noted that exposing the skin to sunlight is how we get 70-80 percent of the vitamin D our body needs. However, it stated that sunlight can be unreliable due to factors like season, geographic latitude, skin pigmentation, and age, which all affect vitamin D production. IOF added that natural food sources of vitamin D include oily fish (such as salmon, sardines and mackerel), eggs, mushrooms and liver.
Dr Ahmad Alhashemi, Internal medicine, endocrinology, diabetes doctor, and assistant professor at Kuwait University doesn’t consider sun light’s exposure as a viable solution in the extreme heat conditions in Kuwait. He said that the sun could cause serious health risks on our skin. "Vitamin D pills and syrup can do the same job as the sun,” he explained, adding that they could even be more effective and safer in substituting the deficiency.
He said that most strong research papers support the efficacy of vitamin D supplements in reducing the risk of bone fractures as we age, which is a primary function of vitamin D. Alhashemi recommended taking one pill of vitamin D a day, which almost carries 1,000 units of vitamin D.