Wake Up To More D

~ December 16, 2008

From InvermereValleyEcho.com:

Now that Nov. 2 has passed and we are enjoying a little more morning daylight but less sunlight, the Canadian Cancer Society suggests as you turn back your clocks to remember to increase your daily intake of Vitamin D.

Many Canadians get enough of the ‘sunshine vitamin’ from their exposure to sunlight during the spring and summer. However, due to our northern latitude and the sun’s weaker rays during the fall and winter, our bodies don’t produce enough vitamin D.

“There is a growing body of evidence about the potential link between vitamin D and reducing the risk for colorectal, breast and prostate cancers,” says Cathy Adair, vice-president, Strategic Initiatives, Canadian Cancer Society B.C. and Yukon. “During the fall and winter we recommend adults increase their vitamin D intake with supplementation of 1,000 IU (International Units) per day.”

In consultation with their health care providers, the Society also recommends that adults at higher risk of having lower vitamin D levels should consider taking a vitamin D supplement of 1,000 IU/day all year round. This includes people 50 years of age and older, with dark skin, who don’t go outside often and who wear clothing that covers most of their skin.

A recent cross-Canada poll commissioned by the Canadian Cancer Society from Innovative Research Group shows that 90% of respondents stated that vitamin D is important for the health of Canadians. And almost 50% of British Columbians say they are likely to begin taking a vitamin D supplement as the days become shorter.

“We are heartened to see results that show British Columbians are aware of the health benefits, but also that they will consider taking a supplement this fall and winter,” says Adair. In British Columbia last year 42% reported taking a supplement or multi-vitamin that included vitamin D.

Canadian women appear more familiar with vitamin D than men. Women were more likely to be aware of the society’s vitamin D recommendation, to have taken vitamin D before and plan to take it this year. By the end of the survey, 68% of British Columbians stated that vitamin D is ‘extremely’ or ‘very’ important to the health of Canadians.

“Our goal is to educate British Columbians on the importance of vitamin D in the area of cancer prevention,” says Adair. “We know that 50% of cancers can be prevented through healthy living and policies that protect the public. Increasing your vitamin D is another simple way to reduce your risk.”

In addition to taking supplements, people can get vitamin D by exposure to sunlight and in their diets. The society cautions Canadians who travel south during the winter months about overexposing themselves to sunlight.

“A few minutes a day of unprotected sun exposure is usually all that is needed for some people to get enough vitamin D,” says Adair.

The Canadian Cancer Society is a national community-based organization of volunteers whose mission is the eradication of cancer and the enhancement of the quality of life of people living with cancer. When you want to know more about cancer, visit our website at www.cancer.ca or call our toll-free, toll-free, bilingual Cancer Information Service at 1-888-939-3333.