It's about time to soak up the sun! | Health - Hindustan Times
close_game
close_game

It's about time to soak up the sun!

IANS | By, London
Nov 20, 2014 02:29 PM IST

Vitamin D deficiency is not just bad for your bone health, it can also result in various other diseases leading to an early death. Evidence suggests that sunshine has a positive effect on our health, but sunburns must be avoided as they increase the risk of skin cancer.

Vitamin D deficiency is not just bad for your bone health, it can also result in various other diseases leading to an early death, research shows.

Vit-D-deficiency-could-lead-to-serious-health-problems-like-diabetes-cardio-vascular-diseases-and-even-cancer-Photo-Shutterstock
Vit-D-deficiency-could-lead-to-serious-health-problems-like-diabetes-cardio-vascular-diseases-and-even-cancer-Photo-Shutterstock

The study based on examination of genes has established for the first time a causal relationship between low Vitamin D levels and increased mortality, the researchers claimed.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

"We can see that genes associated with low Vitamin D levels involve an increased mortality rate of 30 percent and, more specifically, a 40% higher risk of cancer-related deaths," said Shoaib Afzal, medical doctor at Herlev Hospital, Copenhagen University Hospital in Denmark.

"An important factor in our study is that we have established a causal relationship," Afzal added.

When the sun shines on our skin, the skin produces Vitamin D. Evidence suggests that sunshine has a positive effect on our health, but sunburns must be avoided as they increase the risk of skin cancer.

A diet rich in Vitamin D or the intake of Vitamin D supplements can also cover our need to some extent.

The study involved 96,000 people from large-scale population studies in Denmark.

Vitamin D levels were measured using blood samples from the studies, and specific genetic defects were examined. All participants were followed for mortality from 1976 until 2014.

"Our study shows that low Vitamin D levels do result in higher mortality rates," Borge Nordestgaard from University of Copenhagen said.

Explore the art deco structures of Mumbai through a heritage walk with HT! Participate now.

Catch your daily dose of Fashion, Health, Festivals, Travel, Relationship, Recipe and all the other Latest Lifestyle News on Hindustan Times Website and APPs.
SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Share this article
SHARE
Story Saved
Live Score
OPEN APP
Saved Articles
Following
My Reads
Sign out
New Delhi 0C
Friday, March 29, 2024
Start 14 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now
Follow Us On