Adda, in Kolkata, is more than a conversation; it is an institution. Whether over a steaming bhar of tea on the roadside stall in Gariahat or over long afternoons in shaded North Kolkata balconies, we pride ourselves on our social vitality.
But even as those sessions revitalize our spirits, our bodies may well be running on "low battery." With a silent epidemic hiding behind our window blinds, it would seem as if very few people know this: Vitamin D deficiency.
The "Urban Shade" Paradox
Vitamin D is something we usually associate with people in cold climates, in the northern part of the globe. The Kolkata way of living has changed with the times, and our beloved Adda has shifted from being in open parks to being in:
Deep-shaded balconies that protect against the direct effects of UVB rays.
Air-conditioned cafes, the only places we can get away from the humidity.
For example, in the case of tall apartment buildings where the concrete surrounding the buildings creates "urban canyones," thereby blocking the sunshine
Even when we’re out in nature, the special climate of the city affects us. When the monsoons are in, the thick clouds hide the sun, keeping it obscured for extended periods. In the winter, the pollution and particulates of the smog filter the sun, preventing our skin from receiving the particular light spectrum our bodies need to make the "sunshine vitamin."
Why "Gas" isn't always the culprit
In many Bengali households, every twinge of pain gets blamed on ombol (acidity) or “just turning older.” But if you find yourself tired just after taking a short walk down New Market, or your chronic back troubles just won’t go away even after your best attempts at pachon, your bones may just be calling for help.
“Vitamin D is the key which unlocks the calcium.” Without this key, your daily glass of milk or healthy maacher jhol will be of no use.
The Hidden Signs to Watch For:
"The Morning Fatigue": Experiencing fatigue even after getting adequate sleep.
Unexplained Bone Pain: Especially around the shins, back, and hips.
Frequent Infections: Contracting all the colds that come through the office or the marketplace. Mood Swings: Feeling "blue" or "lethargic" (Often chalked up to having a bad day).
Don’t Guess, Test
You can't "feel" your Vitamin D levels, and you certainly can't fix a severe deficiency just by sitting in the sun for five minutes-especially with the city's current air quality.
The only definite diagnosis, however, is by clinical checkup. Now, at Apollo Diagnostics Kolkata, we provide a correct blood test known as Xpert Vitamin Check that will tell you precisely where you stand.
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