Vitamin D Deficiency in the UAE: Why It Is So Common

Vitamin D deficiency in the UAE is common because, even with sunshine almost all year, many people get very little sun on their skin. Long days in air-conditioned homes, offices and cars, clothing that covers most of the body, and staying out of the midday heat all give the skin fewer chances to make vitamin D.

The good news is that your level is simple to check with a blood test. This guide explains why levels drop, who is most likely to be low, and how to choose a vitamin D supplement that suits you and your family.

Why vitamin D deficiency is so common in the UAE

Your body makes most of its vitamin D when sunlight falls on bare skin. Few foods contain much of it, so if your skin rarely sees the sun, levels can slowly fall. Everyday life here often works against you:

• Time indoors: work, school, malls and gyms are mostly indoors, and the long summers keep many people inside for months.
• Glass and air conditioning: sitting by a sunny window or driving in the sun does not help, because glass blocks the UVB rays your skin uses to make vitamin D.
• Covering clothing: long sleeves, abayas, kanduras and head coverings protect from heat and sun but leave little skin exposed.
• Sunscreen: it can reduce how much vitamin D the skin makes, but it is still important for protecting your skin, so keep using it.
• Darker skin: people with brown or black skin need more sun to make the same amount of vitamin D.

What vitamin D does in the body

Vitamin D helps the body absorb and use calcium and phosphate, the minerals needed for healthy bones, teeth and muscles. It contributes to the maintenance of normal bones and muscle function, and to the normal function of the immune system. Low levels over a long time can leave bones soft and weak, in children and adults.

Signs of low vitamin D

Many people with low vitamin D feel well, so it often goes unnoticed. When signs of low vitamin D do appear, they tend to be vague: tiredness, aches and bone pain, or muscle weakness and cramps. These have many other possible causes, so see your doctor rather than guess.

Who is more likely to have low levels

• People who spend most of their time indoors, or cover most of their skin outdoors
• People with darker skin
• Older adults, because the skin makes less vitamin D with age
• Pregnant and breastfeeding women
• People with conditions that affect how the gut absorbs food, or with kidney or liver conditions
• Breastfed babies

Vitamin D for babies

Breast milk is the ideal food for babies, and health authorities recommend breast milk alone for around the first six months. Breast milk is naturally low in vitamin D, so many health authorities advise giving breastfed babies vitamin D drops alongside breast milk. If you are looking for vitamin D3 drops for babies, ask your paediatrician which product to use and how much to give.

Getting a vitamin D test

A blood test is the only reliable way to know your vitamin D level, and your doctor can arrange it. Knowing your result helps your doctor or pharmacist suggest a suitable strength, because a slightly low level and a very low level may need different approaches. A diagnosed deficiency should be managed with your doctor, who will decide how much you need and when to test again.

Food sources and safe sun habits

Foods that contain vitamin D include:

• Oily fish, such as salmon, sardines and mackerel
• Egg yolks and red meat
• Fortified foods, such as some milks, yoghurts, breakfast cereals and spreads (check the label)

These help, but it is hard to get enough vitamin D from food alone.

Short, regular spells outdoors with some skin uncovered also help, and you do not need to tan or burn. The UAE sun is strong and summer heat can be dangerous, so avoid long periods outside at midday, look for shade and protect your skin when you are out for longer. Do not skip sunscreen to make more vitamin D; food and, where needed, a supplement are safer ways to top up.

Choosing a vitamin D supplement

Most vitamin D supplements contain vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol), the form your skin makes in sunlight. The right amount depends on your age and blood level, so follow the label or your doctor's advice. The main choice is the form.

Tablets and softgels

These are easy for most adults to take each day. Softgels hold the vitamin in oil, so store them somewhere cool and dry, never in a parked car, as they can melt in UAE heat.

Liquids and drops

These suit children and anyone who finds tablets hard to swallow. Always use the dropper or measure that comes with the product, and check the age it is meant for.

Chewables and combination products

Chewables can be easier for some people. Vitamin D also comes combined with nutrients such as calcium or omega fatty acids, so count the vitamin D in any combination product or multivitamin you take.

Vitamin D supplements at Bait Al Dawaa Pharmacy

Here are some vitamin D supplements we stock. Each is a food supplement, not a replacement for your doctor's advice. You can also browse other vitamins and minerals in our supplements collection.

• NOW Vitamin D3 2000IU: vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) softgels in a pack of 120, for adults who have checked with their doctor or pharmacist that this strength suits them.
• Puritan's Pride Vitamin D3 1000 IU Softgels: vitamin D3 softgels, 1000 IU (25mcg) each, in a pack of 100, for adults who prefer a softgel.
• Pure D3 Drops 400IU: a liquid vitamin D3 supplement in drop form (30ml), for people who prefer drops. For a baby or young child, ask your paediatrician before use.
• Provita D3 Liquid: vitamin D3 in liquid form (25ml), for people who find tablets hard to swallow. Check the label for how to measure it.
• Pure Omega D3 Softgels: omega fatty acids and vitamin D3 together in one softgel (30 per pack), for adults who want both in a single product.

Taking vitamin D safely

• Read the label before use, follow the directions or your doctor's advice, and do not take more than advised.
• Too much vitamin D over a long time can cause calcium to build up in the body, which can weaken bones and harm the kidneys and heart.
• Check everything you take, as multivitamins, calcium and omega products may also contain vitamin D.
• Children need different amounts from adults, so only give a child an adult product if a doctor advises it. Keep supplements out of reach of children.

When to see a doctor or ask our pharmacist

See your doctor if:

• You have bone pain, muscle weakness or tiredness that does not go away
• You have a kidney or liver condition, have had kidney stones, or have been told your calcium level is high
• You are pregnant, planning a pregnancy or breastfeeding
• You feel very thirsty or sick, have tummy pain or constipation, or feel confused while taking vitamin D
• A child has swallowed more than the advised amount (get medical help straight away)

Ask our pharmacist if you take other medicines, as some can interact with vitamin D or affect how it is absorbed, or if you are not sure which form suits you. For babies and young children, always ask your paediatrician which product and amount to use.

Frequently asked questions

Can I get enough vitamin D from the sun in the UAE?

Some people can, but many rarely get sun on their skin, and sunlight through a window does not count. Never risk sunburn or heat illness for it; a blood test shows whether you need to top up.

Can I take vitamin D with other supplements?

Usually yes, but add up the vitamin D across everything you take, including multivitamins and combination products. If you take any medicines, ask our pharmacist first.

What time of day should I take vitamin D?

There is no set time. Pick a time you will remember each day, such as a meal.

This article is general information, not medical advice. For advice about your own health, speak to your doctor or ask our pharmacist at Bait Al Dawaa Pharmacy.