SHOULD PEOPLE TAKE VITAMIN D SUPPLEMENT WHAT IS RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN CANCER, MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS CHRONIC DISEASE AND VITAMIN D DEFICIENCY

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How much vitamin D do I need? Some studies suggest that a lack of vitamin D can raise the risk of cancer and heart attack. Vitamin D deficiency may be tied to diabetes and also multiple sclerosis. In 2007 the Canadian Cancer Society decided to recommend that the adult population of Canada begin taking vitamin D supplements. Greater awareness of the insidious consequences of vitamin D deficiency is needed. Some research suggests that the recommended adequate intakes for vitamin D are inadequate. Not all researchers agree with this and some suggest too much Vitamin D may weaken the immune system.

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The Canadian Cancer Society decision to recommend vitamin D supplements was made because of the growing body of evidence about vitamin D documented effect on lowering cancer incidence. Because very few foods naturally contain vitamin D, sunlight supplies most of our vitamin D requirement. Vitamin D deficiency is prevalent in adults of all ages who have increased skin pigmentation or who always wear sun protection or limit their outdoor activities. Some reports say that vitamin D deficiency is sometimes misdiagnosed as fibromyalgia.







In 2007 a research study published in the online edition of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, said that a combination of vitamin D3 and calcium had a substantially marked effect on reducing cancer incidence. The four-year study out of Creighton University in Nebraska found that women who regularly took vitamin D3 had a 60 per cent reduction in cancer infections compared to a group taking placebos.



Doctors can do a blood test for Vitamin D called the 25-Hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D].This is a Vitamin D metabolite that can be measured in the blood to determine vitamin D status. Annual measurement of serum 25(OH)D is a reasonable approach to monitoring for vitamin D deficiency.





The Canadian Cancer Society recommendation for vitamin D:

Adults living in Canada should consider taking vitamin D supplementation of 1,000 international units (IU) a day during the fall and winter.

Adults at higher risk of having lower vitamin D levels should consider taking vitamin D supplementation of 1,000 IU/day all year round. This includes people who are older; with dark skin; who don't go outside often, and who wear clothing that covers most of their skin.

At this time, the Canadian Cancer Society does not have a recommendation for vitamin D supplementation for children.

Vitamin D Recommendation of Canadian Cancer Society