‘Low calcium intake, Vitamin D deficiency widespread in Indians’

Doctors point to rising challenges from a less understood disease

In a land of abundant sunshine, 50 million Indians are estimated to be affected by osteoporosis, that makes the bones brittle and fragile with age due to hormonal changes and lack of calcium and vitamin D in the body.

Medical experts sounded alarm bells about the disease that shows no symptom but makes the older population vulnerable to fractures. “It is a public health threat but majority remain undiagnosed and untreated until they fall accidentally,” said U.T. Vassan, Head, Joint and Sports Injury Centre of Meenakshi Mission Hospital and Research Centre.