The Department of Biotechnology (DBT) has decided to conduct research on Vitamin D deficiency in India-public health significance and interventions.
DBT aims to study the skeletal and non- skeletal benefits, safety and potential adverse effects of Vitamin D supplementation and fortification in Indians. The department will also study non-dietary interventions including sunshine exposure and exercise in alleviating Vitamin D deficiency and genetic determinants of Vitamin D metabolism and their association with biological consequences.
Scientists will study the representative national prevalence data of Vitamin D deficiency specifically correlated with biological consequences, especially in vulnerable populations including pregnant and lactating women, infants and elderly, and among people living in rural and coastal areas.
As most of the Indians assume that they can only get Vitamin D from sunlight, DBT will also study potential vegetarian dietary sources and bio-availability of Vitamin D, the role of other nutrients, especially calcium, in determining requirements and biological functioning of Vitamin D. The studies will also aim at mechanistically understanding the effects of Vitamin D deficiency, in various cells and tissues.