Dubai:
Nadya Elbilassy, 22, Egyptian, junior analyst
“I probably have Vitamin D deficiency because I feel lazy most of the time. I have never done a blood test to check [if I’m deficient], but a lot of people have been advising me to do so. I’m aware the importance of Vitamin D for the body, but I don’t give it much thought. Sunlight, of course, helps us get the Vitamin D we need, but I barely get any exposure to sunlight [in summer] because the weather is unbearable. The only sunlight I get is while I walk to car and while driving. My mum is Vitamin D-deficient and she has had to get injections for it.”
Ahmad Bin Al Shaikh, 27, Emirati, tourism executive
“I know that Vitamin D promotes growth and regulates the immune system, so getting enough sunlight is critical. I don’t suffer from Vitamin D deficiency but during the summer I find it hard to stay under the sun, so I would spend a total of 5-10 minutes a day exposed to sunlight. During winter, it differs. I would say [exposure] is for at least one hour. I haven’t known someone who has had Vitamin D deficiency. I believe that too much exposure to the sun can cause skin problems.”
Iskandar Nassour, 54, Syrian, works in interior design company
“I have always thought that the body can manufacture Vitamin D when exposed to the sun any time of the day, but I recently found out that I was wrong after I was diagnosed with Vitamin D deficiency. As a child, I was raised living next to the sea, so spending enough time out in the sun was not a problem. Even when I moved to Dubai, I would always go to the beach for a swim since it’s close to my house. However, I recently felt that I’m almost always sleepy and tired throughout the day, so I decided to go for a blood test. The results stoked my curiousity. I learnt that the best time to be out in the sun to help the body make Vitamin D is between 12 to 4pm and only for 10 minutes. In the past, i used to always avoid these timings because it was too hot. Now, I make sure my body, especially my shoulders and legs, are exposed to the sun at least four times a week. I feel healthier now.”
Farah Al Alami, 33, Jordanian, chief marketing and communications officer
“I work in the healthcare sector, and have long been aware of Vitamin D and its importance in ensuring overall health. I know too that it is especially important for women’s wellbeing. About a decade ago, I was diagnosed with Vitamin D deficiency, and prescribed vitamin pills. But when I had my levels tested last year, the deficiency was slight, and I try to get enough sunlight to maintain it without taking supplements.
It is hardest during peak summer months, but during the rest of the year, I try to take my son to the park in the morning and ensure we get enough sun exposure.”
Ayman Helal, 28, Egyptian, construction manager
“I know that Vitamin D is essential for bone health, but did not know until very recently how prevalent its deficiency is in the UAE.
I get a lot of sun exposure myself because of the nature of my job. On a daily basis, I work outdoors for about seven hours during daytime, and if I am on leave, I enjoy staying outdoors during daytime. In fact, there was a period earlier this year when my outdoor work was limited, and I actually found myself being unable to focus at work. Perhaps that was a result of the lack of sun exposure that I am used to.
I have not tested my Vitamin D levels till date, but it doesn’t seem like a bad idea to get it checked.”
Paolo Navarro, 28, Filipino, barista
“I wasn’t aware that Vitamin D deficiency is a health concern in the UAE so, I’ve never had my Vitamin D levels assessed. In the past, I have taken Vitamin C tablets, but never Vitamin D supplements. In fact, since I am at work in the mornings and it is quite hot, I rarely, if ever, get enough sun exposure. Thinking back, my elders in the Philippines always recommended that we play outdoors during the daytime. When I was young, we were almost always outdoors every day between 7-9am.”
