Indian endocrinologists warn of vitamin D deficiency

Vitamin D deficiency is causing severe bone loss in adults across northern India despite abundant sunlight in the region, leading Indian endocrinologists have said.

Inadequate exposure to sunlight and poor nutrition are factors contributing to the vitamin D deficiency, Dr Narayana Kochupillai, head of endocrinology and metabolism at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, said.

“Based on our clinical experience and limited studies, we believe vitamin D deficiency is widespread in northern India,” Dr Kochupillai told a national conference on nutrition at the Tata Energy Research Institute, a private institution in New Delhi involved in energy and biotechnology research.

“But, unfortunately, our recommendation to …