The habit of covering up when going out can cause osteoporosis
Covering up too much prevents the skin from being exposed to sunlight, leading to a lack of vitamin D in the body, affecting metabolism and causing osteoporosis.
Doctor Cao Thanh Ngoc, Department of Internal Medicine, Musculoskeletal, University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City, said that the habit of covering up too much when going out prevents the skin from being exposed to sunlight, leading to a severe lack of vitamin D in the body. All of these factors affect the body's absorption and metabolism, causing an imbalance between bone formation and bone destruction, leading to osteoporosis.
According to the Shadow Law in Vitamin D absorption by Professor Edward Gorham, University of California, USA, when the length of the body's shadow is shorter than the height, it is the right time to sunbathe. The most suitable time for sunbathing in Vietnam is between 9 and 10 am or 3 and 4 pm.
Most people can make enough vitamin D by spending about 10 to 15 minutes in the sun every day with their forearms, hands, or legs uncovered and without sunscreen. This type of sun exposure can provide enough vitamin D according to the recommendations of the world's nutrition institutes of 600-1000 IU per day for children 1-18 years old and 800-1000 IU in adults.
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People should expose their skin to sunlight for a reasonable amount of time to provide enough vitamin D for the body. Photo:Giang Huy |
Doctor Truong Nhat Khue Tuong, Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City, said that in addition to sunbathing, some foods such as salmon, cod, mackerel, milk, egg yolks... also provide vitamin D but only about 5% of the daily requirement.
"If you cannot get enough sun exposure and food does not provide enough vitamin D, you can supplement with drops or sprays for children and vitamin D tablets for adults," Dr. Tuong advised.
According to Dr. Ngoc, osteoporosis is a bone metabolism disorder that leads to loss of bone strength and increased risk of fractures. The disease causes serious consequences, causing pain and prolonged fatigue, increasing the risk of fractures, disability and death, affecting the quality of life.
The disease can be prevented if people are provided with enough calcium, vitamin D, and other nutrients necessary for the body according to age and health status. Regular exercise and exposure to sunlight, limit smoking habits, drinking alcohol, taking drugs of unknown origin or buying drugs on their own.