This irony stems from lifestyle and environmental factors. Most people spend their days indoors, shielding themselves from the heat.
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This irony stems from lifestyle and environmental factors. Most people spend their days indoors, shielding themselves from the heat.
Even in the sun-drenched UAE, many residents suffer from low levels of vitamin D — a phenomenon often called the “sunshine paradox.” Studies reveal that up to 90 percent of people across the Emirates have insufficient vitamin D, despite constant exposure to sunlight.
This irony stems from lifestyle and environmental factors. Most people spend their days indoors, shielding themselves from the heat. The use of sunscreen, full-coverage clothing, and higher skin pigmentation further reduce the body’s ability to absorb the UVB rays necessary for vitamin D synthesis. Air pollution and urban shading make it worse, limiting exposure even during bright hours.
Vitamin D plays a vital role beyond bone health — it’s crucial for brain function. Receptors in areas that control emotion and mood depend on it. Low vitamin D levels are linked to mood swings, fatigue, brain fog, anxiety, and even depression. While it’s not the only factor behind mental health issues, its absence can significantly affect emotional balance.
Certain groups in the UAE are more vulnerable — office workers who spend most of their time indoors, women wearing full-body clothing, older adults, those with darker skin, and individuals with obesity or other health conditions.
A simple blood test can detect a deficiency. Experts recommend checking vitamin D levels at least once a year. Regular, short periods of direct sunlight — about 10 to 20 minutes a few times weekly — can help restore healthy levels. Including vitamin D-rich foods like salmon, eggs, and fortified dairy products, or taking supplements under medical advice, can also make a difference.
In a country filled with sunlight, the challenge isn’t the lack of rays but the lack of exposure. A balanced approach — safe sun time, mindful diet, and periodic testing — can help residents of the UAE overcome this paradox and strengthen both body and mind.
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