Fear of dark complexion leave urban Indians with weaker bones

Blame it on the fear of a ‘bad complexion’. Urban Indians, especially women, are rather particular about avoiding sunlight. And the result: They end up with good skin but weaker bones.

According to a study carried out by the departments of orthopaedics and endocrinology at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences ( AIIMS) in New Delhi, Vitamin D deficiency is becoming rampant among Indians, especially among those belonging to the higher socio- economic strata.

The number of people ending up with hip fractures — even after relatively minor falls — is on the rise.

Healthy bones require Vitamin D and calcium. Vitamin D helps the bones absorb the calcium and sunlight is required for the synthesis of Vitamin D. “ None of the patients covered in our study had had a fall serious enough to sustain a fracture in the hip,” Dr C. S. Yadav, lead scientist of the study from the department of orthopaedics, said.

“ They all had significantly low bone mineral density — it indicates less calcium — which leads to weak and fragile bones,” he added.

The study will be published in the Journal of Association of Physicians of India.

The AIIMS had received 50 patients with hip fracture between January 2008 and January 2009. The team collected data on 43 people — their bone density, haemoglobin level, sun exposure and kidney and liver functions. Of the 43, 34 were women. Only five of the 43 were found to be taking any calcium and Vitamin D supplements. “ All except one had Vitamin D deficiency,” Yadav said.

According to the researchers, the average age of the patients is about 62.

In the West, similar cases are found in people aged 73 years or more. Women are more susceptible to such fractures post- menopause.

Another study carried out by the AIIMS gynaecology department, among 300 pregnant women, found 96 per cent of them to be deficient in Vitamin D. A study carried out by the Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Allied Sciences found that 80 per cent schoolchildren were deficient in Vitamin D. “ We are not using the cheapest available source of Vitamin D — sunlight. People avoid sun in the summers and cover up in the winters,” the scientists said.

Just 15 minutes of daily exposure to sunlight — keep your arms and face bare — will give you sufficient Vitamin D. Women have to take calcium and vitamin D supplements, the doctors said.