Lucknow: Thirty minutes of sunlight exposure can help the body maintain adequate Vitamin D levels, supporting bone and muscle health and contributing to overall metabolic well-being, experts said at a health camp organised by The Times of India for its employees as part of World Heart Week on Wednesday.Doctors at the camp said people living and working in cities often spend long hours indoors, limiting exposure to sunlight and increasing the risk of Vitamin D deficiency. Reduced Vitamin D can impair calcium absorption, weakening bones and muscles. Experts also pointed to growing evidence linking low Vitamin D levels with metabolic concerns such as insulin resistance, diabetes and obesity—conditions that raise the risk of cardiovascular disease.Dr Prashant Pandey, orthopaedic expert at Vivekananda Polyclinic and Institute of Medical Sciences, said urbanisation and indoor lifestyles were key reasons behind the reduced sunlight exposure among working professionals. “As urbanisation gathers pace, people are getting less exposure to sunlight than the body needs. Vitamin D and calcium are essential for bone and muscle health. At least 30 minutes of sunlight exposure over a large part of the body is recommended,” he said.Dr Pandey advised those who spend most of their day indoors to schedule outdoor activity and ensure their diet includes adequate calcium and other essential nutrients. He added that the timing of sunlight exposure can vary by season, recommending afternoon exposure in winters and morning exposure during summers.Dr Bhabatosh Biswas, cardiologist at Vivekananda Polyclinic and Institute of Medical Sciences, said maintaining heart health required consistent monitoring alongside lifestyle measures. “People diagnosed with heart conditions should follow their diet and fitness routine under the guidance of a specialist. Regular check-ups and appropriate tests are important for monitoring heart health,” he said.Experts at the camp emphasised that metabolic health and heart health are closely connected, with diabetes, obesity and high blood pressure significantly increasing cardiovascular risk. They cautioned that sunlight exposure is only one component of overall health and should not be viewed as a treatment for heart disease. They reiterated the need for regular exercise, balanced nutrition, weight management and control of blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol, and urged those with deficiencies or heart conditions to seek medical advice and follow prescribed treatment.
