Study says lack of Vitamin D, B12 taking toll of older bones

PUNE: A recently concluded health study of people aged between 25 and 55 years has found that an alarming 68% of them were suffering from Vitamin D and B12 deficiency. Doctors attributed the deficiencies to incorrect or insufficient diet and inadequate exposure to the sun. The study was conducted at Deenanath Mangeshkar hospital over a period of two years and 500 people were tested for deficiencies. Doctors said that at least 15% of the sample studied was detected with a severe Vitamin D deficiency, which puts them at a heightened risk of not just early-osteoporosis, but also difficulty in performing everyday tasks such as walking for long distances, climbing stairs and even sitting on the floor. "A lot of young patients come to us with fractures and complaints of pain in their joints, difficulty in walking and exercising etc. We analysed if their blood samples were lacking in particular micro-nutrients," said biochemist Sadanand S Naik, explaining that it was the deficiency of Vitamin D and Vitamin B12 which causes bone degeneration and problems in their formation, thus leading to everyday health complications. Naik, who studied the samples, said people should not ignore any injury or joint pains, as it could be rooted in the body's deficiency of Vitamin D or Vitamin B12 and consult an orthopaedic immediately. The study used advanced chemiluminescence immuno acid methodology and was initiated in 2011 to understand the reasons behind an increase in the number of cases of bone-related problems and orthopaedic injuries among the younger population. Orthopaedic Vivek Gupta said the prevalence of the deficiency is increasing, especially among younger people. "Defying the long-held belief of joint-related problems affecting only the elderly, a lot of youngsters come to me these days with complaints of unexplained body aches. We make them undergo specific tests for these micro-nutrients if they don't respond to normal treatment," he said. Changing lifestyles, especially in urban areas, are a major factor behind the deficiency, doctors say. "More people have desk-bound jobs these days. Physical exercise and exposure to the sun is limited. Combined with an insufficient consumption of milk and its products, the body gradually becomes deficient in its levels of Vitamin D and B12," Naik said. "Vegetarians are more prone to a deficiency of Vitamin B12 as much of it is derived only from animal protein. However, eating junk foods, sedentary lifestyle and less exposure to the sun are also crucial factors for the deficiency," Gupta said. Doctors say it's a paradox that the number of people suffering from this form of deficiency is rising in India, which is regarded as being sunlight-abundant. "Absorption of Vitamin D requires a stimulus. However, in the absence of adequate amount of calcium, this gets affected," says Gupta. While supplements of Vitamin D and B12 are freely available in the market, doctors say they cannot replace the body's natural system of generating the micro-nutrients.Box 500 men and women from Pune in the 25-55 age group were studied 68-70% of them were found to be suffering from Vitamin D deficiency The deficiency was severe in nearly 15% of the sample Vitamin B12 deficiency was identified in nearly 60% of the sample Doctors attribute deficiencies to changed lifestyles and diets insufficient in milk, its products and/or non-vegetarian foods Vitamin D deficiency refers to its blood levels less than 20 ng/dL. Levels less than 15 ng/dL are regarded as severely deficient. Vitamin B12 deficiency refers to its blood levels less than 148 pmol/L According to the Asia Pacific Journal of Clinical Nutrition, close to two-third of the Indian population is deficient in Vitamin B12 Early indicators of deficiency Body aches and pains that don't respond to normal treatment Difficulty in walking long distances Not being able to run and exercise Pain in climbing staircases, lifting heavy objects and sitting on the floor Major reasons for growing deficiency Diet lacking in milk and milk products. Less or no intake of animal proteins available in fish, chicken Reduced exposure to sunlight Sedentary lifestyle and lack of physical exercise Eom/ Tarini

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Title : Study says lack of Vitamin D, B12 taking toll of older bones
Published on : Monday, July 15, 2013
Category : Vitamin D
Post URL : http://internal-med.blogspot.com/2013/07/study-says-lack-of-vitamin-d-b12-taking_15.html