Old is Gold Policy is the Best to Promote Health

In tropical countries like India where there is abundant sun light available throughout the year, can you believe 75 to 100% of people of all age group are suffering due to vitamin D deficiency?  We have to believe the statistics that speak the truth.

It is a traditional practice among the elderly people in the Indian household to expose the new born babies to tender sunlight during the day. Schools of good old days allow children in schools to play during evening sunlight so that they get benefitted not only due to physical activity, but also due to exposure to Vitamin D rich sunlight.

The diversified Indian food with cereals, grains, fruits and vegetables, oil and meat, fish and leafy vegetables full of minerals, vitamins, antioxidants and other nutrient values have been a source of promoting a good health. These practices have passed on from the generation to the next for ages. 

According to the study by Agarwal et al, 55% of extensively breastfed infants of 10 months old and 44% of kids over 6 months old have developed Rickets due to vitamin D deficiency. As per Ekbote et al, 83% 0f toddlers below 3 years are vitamin deficient. As the schooling starts at the very tender age in modern days, 77% of kids that spend time in play schools are suffering as they are not exposed to sun light during the day. Children that are residents of high level of Atmospheric pollution have abundant Vitamin D levels that children living in less polluted areas.

Irrespective of social and economic strata, 94% of children aged 6-17 years also suffering from health issues due to insufficient vitamin d level.

76% of Pregnant and lactating women and 70 women of menopause age in south Indian states is vitamin deficient according to a study by Harinarayan et al.

Both urban and rural population of central and north India are also affected by it. What are the challenges on our way to accumulate vitamin-D?

Poor dietary intake of vitamin-D followed by the reduced exposure to sun light is the major reasons for the vitamin-D deficiency among Indians. Strangely, The Indian Council of Medical Research, a nodal agency that should play an instrumental role in propagating the importance of Vitamin-D is not very active.

Indians should remember the old Indian practices are golden in blessing them with good health. So don’t hesitate in learning them from your elders.