www.womanthismonth.com December 2016 59 Cocktail Party The K Hotel held a corporate and media cocktail party at Kolors restaurant. Ruqaya, Rehana, Islam, Mustafa & Hussain Maki & Ahmed Fatema & Momen Thomas & Volker Sarah Ahmed Raed & Mohammed Fuad & Mohammed Vitamin D, also known as the sunshine vitamin, has great health benefits. Dr Rashmi Dhanuka, general practitioner at Middle East Medical Center – Hidd, explains in detail. Cheese, butter, margarine, fortified cereals, milk and fish are some of the food sources of Vitamin D. “Adequate vitamin D intake is important for the regulation of calcium and phosphorus absorption, maintenance of healthy bones and teeth and protection against multiple diseases and conditions such as cancer, type 1 diabetes and multiple sclerosis,” says Dr Dhanuka. It has various roles in the body, helping to: l Support the immune system, brain and nervous system. l Regulate insulin levels and aid diabetes management. l Support lung function and cardiovascular health. Vitamin D deficiency increases the risk of depression by 50 per cent, breast cancer by 83 per cent, heart attacks by 30 per cent, fracture by 50 per cent and diabetes by 66 per cent. In spite of the name, vitamin D is considered a pro-hormone and not actually a vitamin because the body is capable of producing its own vitamin D through sunlight on the skin, while vitamins are nutrients that cannot be synthesised by the body and must be acquired through the diet or supplements. It is estimated that sensible sun exposure on bare skin for five-10 minutes, two to three times per week allows the body to produce sufficient vitamin D, but it has a half-life of only two weeks, meaning that stores can run low, especially in winter. Recent studies have suggested that up to 50 per cent of adults and children worldwide are vitamin D deficient. Symptoms of low vitamin D include generalised myalgia (muscle pain), sleepiness, fatigue and hair loss. After checking the level in blood, a patient is advised on sun exposure, oral tablets or injections depending on deficiency. Call 17 464-848 for consultation and more information. showcase Vitamin D is extremely useful and can be produced in the body with mild sun exposure or consumed in food or supplements. MIDDLE EAST MEDICAL CENTER THE ‘SUNSHINE’ VITAMIN Dr Rashmi Dhanuka
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