“Low levels of vitamin D are highly prevalent in the United States, especially in areas without much sunshine,” he added. “Twenty to 30 percent of the population in many areas has moderate to severe vitamin D deficiency.”
Most of this is attributed to lack of sun exposure, pigmented skin that prevents penetration of the sun’s rays and inadequate dietary intake of vitamin D enriched foods, researchers said.
Food sources of vitamin D include milk, salmon, mackerel, sardines, cod liver oil and some fortified cereals.
Last year, the Canadian Cancer Society recommended adult Canadians take 1,000 international units (IU) of vitamin D daily to lower their cancer risk. The unprecedented move followed a U.S. study suggesting post-menopausal women who took a combination of vitamin D and calcium had a 60 per cent lower risk of breast, lung and colon cancer. (Read more.)
Also, the Canadian Paediatric Society recommended that pregnant or breast-feeding women consult their doctor about taking a supplement of 2,000 IU of vitamin D each day, especially during the winter months, to protect their babies.
Source: American Heart Association news release
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