Most Pinoys found to have Vitamin D deficiency

MANILA, Philippines - Vitamin D deficiency has become a silent epidemic now affecting many Filipinos, according to the Philippine College of Occupational Medicine (PCOM) and the Philippine Neurological Association (PNA).

PCOM director Marilou Renales said three out of five Filipinos are now Vitamin D deficient, citing a study they conducted among office workers in Metro Manila in 2013.

“The results of a voluntary blood testing performed among 369 randomly selected Metro Manila office workers revealed that 58 percent were Vitamin D-deficient while 30 percent have insufficient levels of Vitamin D,” she said.

Renales said Vitamin D is produced naturally through adequate sun exposure, and most office workers are not  exposed to adequate sunlight.

“Apart from staying indoors for most parts of the day, habitually wearing long-sleeved clothing and slacks or pants, using too much sunscreen and eating barely enough of Vitamin D-rich foods, environmental factors are also at play,” she said in a press briefing organized by Unilab Philippines.

She said shade, along with pollution and smog, could reduce by 60 percent ultraviolet energy absorbed by people.

PNA fellow Alejandro Diaz said typical Filipinos’ naturally tan complexion, given the moderate to high levels of melanin in their skin, is also a factor in Vitamin D deficiency.

“Melamin, while serving as a protective barrier for the skin against ultraviolet light, also works to block the sun’s rays, which is needed to activate Vitamin D in the body,” he said.