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Tezzbuzz Desk: Nutrition- challenges in India are no longer limited to malnutrition alone. Due to changing lifestyle, unbalanced eating habits and lack of adequate micronutrients in the body, deficiency of vitamins and minerals is also becoming a matter of concern. Among these, deficiency of Vitamin B12 and Vitamin D is considered especially common. In different research, cases of deficiency of these two vitamins have been reported in different groups of the Indian population. According to the research published in NCBI, the level of deficiency of Vitamin B12 in the Indian population has been found to be quite high in different studies. Some reports say that about 47 to 75 percent of the population has been affected. At the same time, Vitamin D deficiency is also widely seen in India. However, its figures have been different in different studies.

Vitamin B12 is a very important nutrient for the body. It plays an important role in the formation of red blood cells, DNA synthesis and normal functioning of the nervous system. According to Dr. Arvind Aggarwal, Director Internal Medicine, Shri Balaji Action Medical Institute, Delhi, the risk of deficiency of Vitamin B12 may increase due to the limited natural sources of Vitamin B12 in the Indian diet. The risk of B12 deficiency may be higher especially in people following a completely vegetarian diet, because its natural sources are mainly found in animal-based foods. Its deficiency can cause persistent fatigue, weakness, dizziness, tingling in hands and feet, and problems to memory or concentration. If deficiency persists for a long time, it can lead to anemia and serious nerve problems.

Vitamin D, on the other hand, is important for the absorption of calcium in the body as well as the health of bones and muscles. Despite ample sunlight available throughout the year in India, a large number of people are found to have low levels of Vitamin D. There could be many reasons behind this. Spending more time indoors or in the office, less exposure to sunlight, keeping the body completely covered and lack of sources of Vitamin D in the diet can include its main reasons. In an Indian meta-analysis, Vitamin D deficiency was estimated to be around 61 percent and Vitamin B12 deficiency was found to be around 53 percent. However, these data cannot be applied uniformly to the entire population, as the level of deficiency can vary depending on age, diet, lifestyle and the methodology of individual studies.

Experts advise that it is not right to assume that there is a deficiency of any vitamin in the body only on the basis of symptoms like fatigue, weakness or body pain. If necessary, blood test can be done with the advice of a doctor. Including milk, curd, eggs, fish and other nutritious foods in your diet can be helpful. Safe exposure to sunlight is also important for Vitamin D. If the test reveals a deficiency, supplements can be taken as per the doctor's advice. It is not advisable to take high-dose vitamin supplements without testing or medical advice. Overall, vitamin B12 and D deficiency can be prevented through a balanced diet, adequate sunlight, regular health checkups and expert advice when needed.