Adequacy of vitamin D levels 32% of Canadians were below the vitamin D cut-off of 50 nmol/L; 10% of Canadians were considered as being vitamin D deficient (<30 nmol/L). [embed]https://youtube.com/watch?v=fxZ9pt5KQ0E[/embed]
What percentage of the population has vitamin D deficiency?
Vitamin D deficiency is already extremely common, affecting approximately 42% of the U.S. population, according to research published in the National Institutes of Health database.
Does Canada have enough vitamin D?
Canada simply does not get enough sun in the winter months to provide sufficient vitamin D levels, even if the weather were such that we could suntan. We are too far from the equator. This is exacerbated in those with darker skin tones, because they need more UV rays to synthesize the same amount of vitamin D.
Where is vitamin D deficiency most common in the world?
Worldwide, many countries report very high prevalences of low vitamin D status. 25(OH)D levels <30 nmol/L (or 12 ng/ml) in >20% of the population are common in India, Tunisia, Pakistan, and Afghanistan. For example, it has been estimated that 490 million individuals are vitamin D deficient in India [2, 17].
What is the normal level of vitamin D in Canada?
25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D)
| 25(OH)D Levels and Health 1, 4–6 | |
|---|---|
| <30 nmol/L | Risk of vitamin D deficiency (rickets or osteomalacia) |
| 30-50 nmol/L | Clinical features of inadequacy in some individuals |
| ≥50 nmol/L | Adequate for bone health in practically all individuals |
| > 125 nmol/L | Concern for vitamin D toxicity |
Is vitamin D deficiency very common?
How common is vitamin D deficiency? Vitamin D deficiency is a common global issue. About 1 billion people worldwide have vitamin D deficiency, while 50% of the population has vitamin D insufficiency. Approximately 35% of adults in the United States have vitamin D deficiency.
Is vitamin D deficiency a big deal?
Vitamin D deficiency can lead to a loss of bone density, which can contribute to osteoporosis and fractures (broken bones). Severe vitamin D deficiency can also lead to other diseases. In children, it can cause rickets. Rickets is a rare disease that causes the bones to become soft and bend.
What vitamins are Canadians lacking?
Vitamin D, often referred to as the sunshine vitamin, has been found to be the number one vitamin that Canadians are deficient in. The vast majority of our vitamin D intake comes from the sun. Our long cold winters, and often the hibernation that come with it, are no doubt who to blame for our lack of vitamin D.
What should some Canadians do to avoid vitamin D deficiency?
Include vitamin D from foods or a supplement every day. If you are between 2 and 50 years old: eat foods that contain vitamin D every day or. take a daily supplement containing 400 IU (10 µg) of vitamin D.
Can you absorb vitamin D in the winter in Canada?
Normally, our body makes 80 to 90% of the vitamin D we need, using a reaction between our skin and the rays of the sun. However, because of our geographic location in Canada, the rays of the sun are too weak in the winter to trigger the reaction that leads to the creation of vitamin D.
How long does it take to recover from vitamin D deficiency?
How Much Vitamin D Do I Need Per Day? Besides going outdoors in the sunshine, there are two others ways to improve the amount of vitamin D in your system: eating foods rich in vitamin D and supplements. “Adding an over-the-counter vitamin D supplement can make improvements in just three to four months time.
Why is vitamin D deficiency increasing?
As people age, their kidneys are less able to convert vitamin D to its active form, thus increasing their risk of vitamin D deficiency.
How long do you need to be in the sun for vitamin D?
Regular sun exposure is the most natural way to get enough vitamin D. To maintain healthy blood levels, aim to get 10–30 minutes of midday sunlight, several times per week. People with darker skin may need a little more than this.
What are the signs you need vitamin D?
Symptoms when vitamin D is low
- Fatigue.
- Not sleeping well.
- Bone pain or achiness.
- Depression or feelings of sadness.
- Hair loss.
- Muscle weakness.
- Loss of appetite.
- Getting sick more easily.
Should Canadians take vitamin D supplements?
Health Canada’s safe upper limit is 4,000 IU per day. Osteoporosis Canada advises healthy adults aged 19-50 consume 400-1,000 IU daily, and those over 50, or younger adults at high risk, get 800-2,000 IU daily. The organization advises year-round vitamin D supplementation for all Canadian adults.
How do Canadians get vitamin D?
Cheese and yogurt can be made with vitamin D-fortified milk, however, the final product does not contain as much vitamin D as fluid milk alone. The only natural sources of vitamin D in the Canadian food supply are fatty fish and egg yolks.
What depletes vitamin D?
Vitamin D deficiency is most commonly caused by a lack of exposure to sunlight. Some disorders can also cause the deficiency. The most common cause is lack of exposure to sunlight, usually when the diet is deficient in vitamin D, but certain disorders can also cause the deficiency.
Can you fix a vitamin D deficiency?
In persons with vitamin D deficiency, treatment may include oral ergocalciferol (vitamin D2) at 50,000 IU per week for eight weeks. After vitamin D levels normalize, experts recommend maintenance dosages of cholecalciferol (vitamin D3) at 800 to 1,000 IU per day from dietary and supplemental sources.
What happens with untreated vitamin D deficiency?
Left untreated, vitamin D deficiency can lead to osteoporosis in adults, rickets in children and adverse outcomes in pregnant women. It may also be linked to heart disease, diabetes and cancer — although more study is needed on the topic.
Is vitamin D deficiency serious in adults?
Patients with a prolonged and severe vitamin D deficiency can experience symptoms associated with secondary hyperparathyroidism including bone pain, arthralgias, myalgias, fatigue, muscle twitching (fasciculations), and weakness. Fragility fractures may result from chronic vitamin D deficiency leading to osteoporosis.
Does vitamin D affect sleep?
Growing evidence has demonstrated that vitamin D has a role in sleep regulation [12]. Specifically, vitamin D deficiency (VDD) can increase risk of sleep disorders and is associated with sleep difficulties, shorter sleep duration, and nocturnal awakenings in children and adults [13,14,15].