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Vitamin D & B12 Deficiency Rise in Winter: Symptoms, Risks & Tests

Winter brings cozy sweaters, warm beverages, and quiet evenings indoors. However, as daylight hours shrink and temperatures drop, our bodies often face hidden nutritional challenges—most notably deficiencies in Vitamin D and Vitamin B12. These deficiencies tend to rise during the colder months, quietly influencing energy, mood, immunity, and overall well-being. Understanding the symptoms, risks, and essential tests can help you protect your health throughout the winter season.

Why Deficiencies Increase During Winter

Vitamin D is often called the “sunshine vitamin” because our skin synthesizes it when exposed to sunlight. During winter, reduced sunlight, cloudier skies, and more time spent indoors significantly limit this natural production. Even individuals who maintain a healthy lifestyle may struggle to meet the body’s Vitamin D requirements without supplementation or dietary adjustments.

Vitamin B12, on the other hand, is commonly found in animal products such as meat, eggs, and dairy. During winter, people may lean toward comfort foods that lack adequate nutrition, or they may eat less overall due to seasonal changes in appetite. Vegetarians, vegans, and older adults are particularly vulnerable to B12 deficiency year-round—and winter habits can intensify the issue.

Common Symptoms You Shouldn’t Ignore

Both Vitamin D and B12 deficiencies can be subtle at first, often mistaken for everyday stress or seasonal fatigue. However, the symptoms can gradually escalate if left unchecked.

Symptoms of Vitamin D Deficiency:

• Persistent fatigue and low energy
• Bone and muscle weakness
• Increased susceptibility to colds and flu
• Low mood or seasonal depression
• Joint pain or stiffness

Because Vitamin D supports immunity and emotional balance, many people notice heightened infections or a dip in mood during winter—classic indicators that levels may be low.

Symptoms of Vitamin B12 Deficiency:

• Exhaustion or persistent tiredness
• Tingling or numbness in hands and feet
• Difficulty concentrating or memory issues
• Pale skin and shortness of breath
• Mood disturbances such as irritability or anxiety

Severe B12 deficiency may even lead to neurological problems, emphasizing the importance of early detection.

Health Risks of Untreated Deficiencies

Ignoring these deficiencies can lead to long-term health risks. Low Vitamin D increases the likelihood of bone disorders such as osteoporosis, weakens the immune system, and is linked to mood disorders. Chronic B12 deficiency, meanwhile, can cause nerve damage, anemia, cognitive decline, and long-lasting neurological issues. Addressing deficiencies early is far easier—and far safer—than treating advanced complications later.

Essential Tests for Accurate Diagnosis

The most reliable way to detect deficiencies is through simple blood tests. A 25-hydroxy Vitamin D test measures the body’s Vitamin D stores and helps determine whether dietary changes or supplements are needed. For Vitamin B12, a serum B12 test assesses current levels, while additional tests like methylmalonic acid (MMA) or homocysteine can provide further clarity in borderline cases.

Take Charge of Your Winter Wellness

Winter may challenge your body, but awareness and timely testing can keep you strong and resilient. By recognizing symptoms early and confirming your levels through proper tests, you can take meaningful steps—through nutrition, lifestyle adjustments, or supplementation—to maintain optimal health. Prioritize your wellbeing this season, and let winter be a time of restoration rather than exhaustion.

This winter and New Year season, prioritize your health from the inside out. At Manipal TRUtest, we offer accurate Vitamin D and B12 testing, preventive health packages, and convenient home sample collection services.

Stay energized, protected, and confident this winter—book your health tests today and step into the New Year healthier than ever.

Top Health Trends of 2025: What India Learned About Wellness This Year

The year 2025 has ushered in a transformative era in India’s wellness landscape. With the technology becoming more integrated into daily life and health consciousness rising across demographics, Indians are adopting smarter, more holistic approaches to well-being. This year has not only reshaped how people perceive health but has also revealed significant insights about preventive care, mental wellness, lifestyle diseases, and the role of digital health innovations.

1. Preventive Healthcare Became a Priority

The most defining trend of 2025 has been the widespread shift toward preventive health practices. People across the metros, tier-2 and tier-3 cities,  and even rural areas increasingly opting annual health check-ups, preventive health packages, genetic testing, and lifestyle assessments.

India learned that preventing a disease is far more economical—and empowering—than treating one. The regular monitoring of blood sugar, cholesterol, thyroid levels, and vitamin deficiencies has helped millions mitigate risks early. The corporates has also embraced preventive wellness programs for employees, strengthening the culture of “health before crisis.

2. Digital Health Ecosystems Expanded Rapidly

With the advanced telemedicine platforms, AI-powered diagnostics, virtual health coaches, and remote patient monitoring, 2025 saw India’s digital health ecosystem evolve at lightning speed.

Wearable devices, once limited to fitness enthusiasts, are now mainstream. Smart watches track heart rate variability, sleep quality, stress levels, and menstrual cycles with remarkable accuracy. AI-driven health apps offer personalized nutrition plans, exercise routines, and daily reminders, helping individuals stay consistent.

India learned that digital health is no longer a luxury; it is a necessity. It has improved accessibility, especially for people in tier-2 and tier-3 cities, reducing dependence onphysical hospital visits for minor concerns.

3. Rise of Functional Nutrition and Clean Eating

Food for nutrition in 2025 will focus on the functional and purposeful nature of calories. Dietary decisions are often made with the intention of improving gut health, improving immunity, enhancing cognitive abilities, and balancing hormones. Superfoods, such as moringa, millets, spirulina, chia seeds, and cold-pressed oils, will continue to be the focus of the wellness sector in India.

Protein-based eating is becoming increasingly popular. The popularity of plant-based diets is on the rise. Many people are beginning to adopt healthy eating habits by consuming seasonal foods, eliminating refined sugar, and exploring gluten-free and low-carbohydrate options.

India has shown that the quality of food we consume directly impacts our energy levels, mental state, and overall physical well-being. Therefore, it is becoming increasingly common to see consumers choose to buy organic products, buy from companies with sustainable production practices, and continue to focus on eating cleanly.

4. Mental Health Became a Core Wellness Pillar

In 2025, the way India approached psychological well-being changed drastically. Seeking therapy and counselling became more acceptable, reducing long-standing stigma.

Organisations introduced mental health policies, burnout prevention programs, and access to professional counselling. Mindfulness practices such as meditation, journaling, breathwork, and grounding exercises became part of daily routines.
With digital therapy platforms making support easily accessible, India acknowledged that mental health is as essential as physical health—and the foundation of overall well-being.

People were more likely to visit a therapist than they were to visit a doctor for physical illness last year, which further reduced the stigma associated with going to a therapist for any of life’s many stressors (stress & anxiety) or for emotional support (emotional problems). Because more companies recognized this problem and the negative effects of burnout/overwork that had developed over the previous decades, they implemented formal mental health policies, as well as team-building programs to help alleviate worker burnout and offer employees access to mental health professionals and counseling.

Mindfulness practices, including mindfulness meditation, specifically journaling about thoughts and feelings, breathwork, and other breathing/grounding techniques, were commonly included as part of everyday life and wellness regimens by many, if not all, of the participants in this study. With digital therapy platforms and mobile application solutions now readily available, people were able to readily access licensed therapists and mental wellness coaches.

India realized that mental health is just as component of physical health and is the basis of total well-being. Therefore, developing emotional stability and resiliency became a required part of life, not something to just do.

5. Holistic and Traditional Healing Made a Comeback

Ayurveda, naturopathy, yoga, and herbal medicine witnessed a powerful revival in 2025. Withpeople seeking natural and sustainable ways to stay healthy, ancient Indian wellness traditions have regained the spotlight.

Ayurvedic detox routines, the herbal supplements, personalized dosha-based diets, and meditation retreats became increasingly popular. The yoga evolved beyond a fitness activity into a tool for mental clarity, flexibility, and longevity.

India learned that traditional practices, when blended with modern science, create a balanced and sustainable wellness approach.

6. Fitness Became More Personalized and Accessible

Fitness in 2025 shifted away from one-size-fits-all routines. Personalised workout plans based on data from wearables and health apps became the norm.

Strength training, functional fitness, Pilates, mobility workouts, and home-based exercise programs saw increased adoption. Virtual fitness classes enabled people of all age groups—especially seniors—to stay active safely from home.
India concluded that fitness is about consistency, customisation, and sustainability—not just intensity.

7. Focus on Environmental Wellness and Sustainability

 The increase of extreme pollution levels and climate change,  Environmental Health was introduced as a key priority in 2023. As pollution levels and climate-related challenges become more prevalent, the people of India are more aware of how environmental factors affect their health, specifically respiratory health, immunity, and general vitality. The rise in eco-friendly behaviour, such as purchasing air purifiers, using natural products instead of chemicals, decreasing the amount of plastic they use, and embracing a sustainable lifestyle, has created awareness for the relationship between personal and environmental wellness in India.

Conclusion: A Year of Awareness, Growth, and Transformation

The health trends of 2025 highlight one powerful truth: India is becoming more proactive, informed, and holistic in its approach to wellness.

From preventive screenings and digital health innovations to mental well-being and sustainable living, this year has reshaped the nation’s understanding of what it means to truly live well.

As India steps forward, the focus is clear: wellness is not a temporary resolution, but a lifelong commitment to balance, vitality, and mindful living.

At Manipal TRUtest, we are committed to making preventive healthcare accessible, reliable, and convenient for everyone. With advanced diagnostics, expert-backed health packages, and home sample collection services, we help you stay proactive about your health.

Book your preventive health checkup today and take the first step towards a healthier tomorrow.

A Complete Guide to Preventive Health Packages for the New Year

As the New Year approaches, people across  the world begin planning  for a healthier,  happier, and more balanced life.  Among these, prioritizing living  healthier usually comes first. Investing  in preventative health packages is the most prudent and effective manner of embarking on this journey. These packages are a form of comprehensive health check-ups meant to keep tabs on prevailing health issues, detect potential ailments at their earliest stages, and provide a roadmap toward long-term wellness. 

Why Preventive Health Matters

Modern lifestyles marked by long working hours, stress, sedentary habits, unhealthy diets, and increasing environmental pollution have significantly raised the risk of chronic illnesses.  Because of these factors, we have become increasingly vulnerable to chronic diseases such as Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, hormonal imbalance, and cardiovascular diseases. Unfortunately, the majority of the chronic diseases mentioned above do not have any symptoms until they develop serious complications.

Preventive health packages help to fill this gap by giving people the ability to know about the  current health status, identifying  risk factors before symptoms appear. Early detection not only improves treatment outcomes but also helps in reducing recovery time, healthcare costs, and long-term complications in health, which leads to preserving quality of life. 

What Are Preventive Health Packages?

The preventive health packages are designed by experienced clinicians and technicians to assess overall health and detect potential conditions early. These packages include full-body checkups, curated and customized based on age and gender-specific needs.  These typically include:

• Routine Blood tests like CBC, lipid profile, liver function tests, blood sugar levels, thyroid profile, and kidney function tests.
• Specialized Blood tests  for cardiac wellness, diabetes, cancer markers, and the hormonal balance.
• The bottom line of these packages is early detection, which enables one to act upon emerging health issues before they morph into chronic ones.

Types of Preventive Health Packages

Healthcare providers offer a range of preventive health check-up packages based on individual needs:

1. Basic Health Check-Up

The basic health check-up for young adults and those with no significant medical history.  This package covers the fundamental tests like CBC, blood sugar, lipid profile, and urinalysis. It also provides an overview of general health and highlights any subtle imbalances.

2. Comprehensive Health Check-Up

The health checkup that designed for  adults aged 30 and above.  This package includes a deeper evaluation of heart, liver, kidneys, and thyroid function.  It offers a holistic view of one’s physiological health.

3. Cardiac Health Package

Recommended for individuals with a family history of heart disease, high stress levels, or sedentary lifestyles. It includes ECG, ECHO, TMT, lipid profile, and cardiac markers.

4. Diabetes Screening Package

The diabetes screening package for the individuals with a family history of diabetes or lifestyle risks, this package assesses fasting blood sugar, HbA1c levels, and insulin sensitivity.

5. Women’s Wellness Package

Tailored specifically for women, this package also includes thyroid screening, hormonal evaluations, pelvic ultrasound, breast examinations, PAP smear, and vitamin assessments.

6. Men’s Wellness Package

Designed specifically for men, this package includes heart health assessment, lipid profile, blood sugar testing, prostate screening, hormonal evaluation, and vitamin level assessments to support overall vitality and long-term well-being.

7. Senior Citizen Health Package

Focused on age-related health concerns, these include kidney and liver assessments, bone density tests, cardiac evaluations, vision tests, and screenings for arthritis, anaemia, and neurological conditions.

Benefits of Opting for Preventive Health Packages in the New Year

The beginning of the year is an ideal time to commit to wellness. Here’s why:

• Early detection and timely treatment can prevent complications and enhance longevity.
• Cost-effective healthcare management, as treating diseases in their advanced stages can be significantly expensive.
• Increased awareness about your body’s functioning 
• Personalized health insights guide you in setting achievable wellness goals.
• Peace of mind, knowing that your health is being monitored proactively

How to Choose the Right Preventive Health Package

Selecting  the right package requires a thoughtful consideration of following parameters: 

• Age and gender – The different stages of life require different tests.
• Family medical history – Genetic predispositions should influence your choices.
• Lifestyle factors – Stress, diet, physical activity, and occupation play crucial roles.
• Existing medical conditions – The chronic diseases require tailored screenings.
• Budget and coverage – It is a package that offers maximum value without compromising on essential tests.

Conclusion

It can be concluded that health is one of the most meaningful gifts you can give yourself this New Year. The preventive health packages serve as a compass, guiding you toward conversant decisions, early interventions, and a healthier lifestyle. As you step into the fresh chapter of the life, commit to investing in your well-being. With the right preventive check-up, you can embrace the year ahead with confidence, clarity, and vibrant health.

As you welcome the New Year, make health your top priority. Manipal TRUtest supports your wellness journey with comprehensive preventive health packages, advanced diagnostic services, and home sample collection. Begin the year on a healthy note—schedule your health checkup today.