Vitamin D deficiency is an Asian problem too (despite the sun)

Campaigns against vitamin D deficiency have gained prominence in the western world but the dietary issue is just as relevant in Asia, according to supplier DSM, even if sunlight hours are greater than most regions.

“While it is a very sunny place there are lot of vitamin D deficiency because in Asia people tend not to be in the sun – they want to have light skin or white skin,” said Wouter Claerhout, marketing director, Asia Pacific for DSM Nutritional Products.

“It should be treated as a public health issue because avoiding vitamin D deficiency can save a lot of money for Asian countries. The problem is it doesn’t really manifest itself very visibly.”