Despite the scorching sun over Bangkok, up to 14 per cent of its residents suffer from Vitamin D deficiency.
Citing a survey of 2,500 people across the country, he told an academic conference that Vitamin D deficiency was detected in just 57 per cent of people outside the capital.
Vitamin D promotes calcium absorption in the intestine, which is good for healthy bones. Human bodies can produce Vitamin D if they are out in the sun.
"In fact, Thais should not have a Vitamin D problem at all, since we have strong rays throughout the year," he said.
Without adequate Vitamin D, people, especially the elderly, face a greater risk of osteomalacia and broken bones.
"There are also some connections between Vitamin D deficiency and diabetes and hypertension," he said.
To prevent Vitamin D deficiency, city people should get some sun for about 1015 minutes a few times each week.
"The exposure, without any sunblock, should be between 10am and 2pm," he said.
People can also acquire Vitamin D from their diet.
"We're doing research to determine which plants in Thailand are rich in Vitamin D. Studies conducted in foreign countries show mushrooms have a lot of Vitamin D."
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