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29 March 2024

Most UAE residents suffer from Vitamin D deficiency

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By Staff

Almost 78 per cent of the UAE population has vitamin D deficiency, have experts repeatedly pointed out.

Vitamin D was the topic of the discussion at the Twitter clinic of the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) this week.

“As dieticians we find that every other patient that comes to us for a diet and lifestyle modification program also suffers from Vitamin D deficiency.

“This is unfortunate because unlike several other countries UAE is blessed with plenty of sunshine all through the year,” pointed out Waffa Ayesh, Director of Clinical Nutrition at the DHA.

Vitamin D is mainly absorbed through sunlight. However, with a lot of time spent indoor, exposure to sunlight is limited in the UAE. Further, diet also plays a vital role.

“After exposure to sunrays, synthesis of Vitamin D takes place through the skin, this goes to the liver, then to the kidney- in the form of the needed levels of Vitamin D- it is then transported to the other organs in the body.

“However, when it reaches the liver, if the person’s diet lacks natural Vitamin D sources and natural calcium sources, the synthesis of Vitamin D is affected,” explained Ayesh.

Vitamin D is a group of fat-soluble vitamins in the body and is considered as the main body regulatory factor to balance the bone calcium  and phosphorus level as it enhances the bone mineralization, development of skeleton and teeth.

Vitamin D deficiency can cause osteoporosis in adults and in children may lead to rickets.  Vitamin D deficiency can also cause bone fractures, bone pain, chronic fatigue, muscle cramps, osteoporosis, chronic colds and flu etc.

How much sunlight do we need?


“People should expose themselves to sunrays during off peak hours, three times a week for 15 to 20 minutes. Darker skin people need to spend double the time, three times a week, because their skin’s ability to make vitamin D in response to sunlight exposure is less,” explained Suha Naufal, Senior Clinical Dietician at DHA’s Dubai Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Centre.

She added that people who are obese or have a body mass index of 30 or greater are  prone to low levels of Vitamin D as the Vitamin D is taken up by the blood fat cells. Therefore, maintaining a healthy Body Mass Index(BMI) is important.

Which foods do we need?

“The three Vitamin D super foods include salmon, mackerel (especially wild-caught) and mushrooms. Other sources include cod liver oil ( but cod liver is rich in Vitamin A and too much is bad for health) tuna canned in water, sardines canned in oil, milk and yogurt,” said Naufal.

Previously doctors prescribed Vitamin D and Calcium supplements together; however, latest research shows that calcium is most beneficial when it is in the natural form which is absorbed through food, pointed out Ayesh.

“We always tell our patients that rather than eating sweets and then opting for skimmed, low-fat milk, it is better to consume full-fat sources of calcium and cut down on sugary/processed foods. If they intend on opting for low-fat sources of calcium, it must be fortified with Vitamin D and they should check labels of milk and milk-products to ensure they are fortified,” added Ayesh.

Vitamin D protects the body from osteoporosis, high blood pressure, cancer and several autoimmune diseases. Further, it helps in prevention and treatment of a number of conditions such as type 1 and 2 diabetes, glucose intolerance and multiple sclerosis, said Ayesh.

She stressed that people should not opt for Vitamin D injections and supplements unless and until they have consulted their doctor. “Excessive Vitamin D can cause problems such as abnormal heart rhythm and even kidney stones. However, it is rarely possible to get too much vitamin from sunlight or foods unless you consume way too much cod liver oil.  Nearly all Vitamin overdose comes from supplements. So while supplements are needed for people with chronic deficiency, they should strictly follow the advice of their physicians.”

(Home page image courtesy Shutterstock)