Are you getting enough Vitamin D?

Vitamin D is best known for its role in bone health, as it helps the body absorb calcium. However, recent

studies suggest that older people with lower blood levels of vitamin D are more likely to lose their balance

and fall, possibly because of vitamin D’s role in promoting muscle function. Lower levels of vitamin D

have been associated with a greater risk of fractures, falls, breast and colorectal cancers, poor immunity

and cardiovascular and other diseases such as multiple sclerosis.

When vitamin D deficiency occurs, very little calcium is absorbed.  In adults, this can lead to osteoporosis, and in children, rickets.  Since vitamin D is found naturally in only a few foods like fatty fish and egg yolks, it is added to foods such as milk and margarine. Although vitamin D can be made by the body when the skin

is exposed to sunlight, vitamin D production is unlikely to occur from late October through early March, due to the decrease in sunlight in Canada during this season.  Therefore, if you do not have a diet rich in the above foods, or have limited sun exposure, you are at risk for becoming deficient in vitamin D.

The Recommended Dietary Allowance per day of vitamin D, as per Health Canada, assuming minimal sun exposure for all is:

Infants 0-12 months - 400IU

Children 1-8 years - 600IU

Children & Adults 9-70 years - 600IU

Adults >70 years - 800IU

Pregnancy & Lactation - 600IU

Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information on vitamin D and if a supplement may be right for you.

Carrie
Seredas Crew