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Working daily? Watch out for hypovitaminosis!
Last reviewed: 02.07.2025
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People who “disappear” at work for days on end may eventually develop dental problems and frequent depression – signs of vitamin D deficiency.
Scientists from the Canadian University of Alberta have presented a list of professions whose representatives are more prone to vitamin D deficiency in the body. This list was presented on the pages of the scientific periodical BMC Public Health.
"Our long-term study was based on the fact that professional activity is a fundamental factor on which the presence of vitamin D in the body and its quantity depend. We recommend that representatives of certain professions regularly have their blood tested in order to have time to prevent the adverse effects of vitamin deficiency," notes Dr. Sebastian Straube.
Experts have classified particularly risky professions according to the degree of risk:
- 80% - daily workers
- 77% - office workers
- 72% - medical students
- 65% - clinicians
- 46% - doctors
- 43% - middle and junior medical personnel
"The synthesis of vitamin D in the body occurs under the influence of sunlight. Because of this, a person's stay in the fresh air is a necessity. A lack of ultraviolet rays has an adverse effect on the health, first of all, of daily workers, office workers and medical workers," says Professor Straube.
It is noted that more than 90% of office workers, being in closed spaces for professional reasons, often suffer from hypovitaminosis to varying degrees. It is worth noting that vitamin deficiency does not always manifest itself with any symptoms: nevertheless, there is a threat to health, and a considerable one.
If we differentiate, then hypovitaminosis of vitamin D in people who are often outdoors is observed in only 45-48% of cases.
The conclusions made by the scientists are based on data obtained in the course of more than 70 scientific experiments. Almost 54 thousand volunteers from different countries of the world were involved in these experiments. In particular, the data of studies conducted over many years in countries with a moderate climate were taken into account.
Experts advise: if certain categories of people do not have the opportunity to be exposed to sunlight more often, then it makes sense to periodically take pharmaceutical preparations that contain vitamin D.
If you ignore this advice, the consequences of hypovitaminosis D can be dire:
- headaches and dizziness;
- pain in muscles and fascia;
- frequent and prolonged depression;
- oncological processes in the reproductive system, intestines, prostate gland;
- osteoporosis, brittle bones;
- tooth loss, periodontal inflammation.
If you correctly assess the degree of professional risks, you can draw conclusions in a timely manner and prevent vitamin deficiency, thereby protecting yourself from negative and dangerous consequences.
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