[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”About” _builder_version=”4.23″ use_background_color_gradient=”on” background_color_gradient_direction=”90deg” background_color_gradient_stops=”rgba(255,255,255,0) 0%|#ffffff 50%” background_color_gradient_overlays_image=”on” background_color_gradient_start=”rgba(255,255,255,0)” background_color_gradient_end=”#ffffff” background_color_gradient_end_position=”50%” background_enable_image=”off” background_position=”center_left” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.23″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.22.2″ custom_padding=”||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.23.1″ _module_preset=”default” header_font=”Montserrat|700||on|||||” header_text_color=”#393939″ header_font_size=”44px” header_font_size_tablet=”44px” header_font_size_phone=”28px” header_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}”]

VITAMIN D: ONE FOR ALL, ALL FOR ONE!

[/et_pb_text][et_pb_text module_id=”section-1″ _builder_version=”4.23.1″ text_font=”||||||||” link_font=”Montserrat|700|||||||” link_text_color=”#fa546d” link_font_size=”22px” link_line_height=”1.5em” header_font=”||||||||” header_2_font=”Montserrat|700|||||||” header_2_text_color=”#000000″ header_2_font_size=”40px” header_3_font=”Montserrat|700|||||||” header_3_text_color=”#393939″ header_3_font_size=”30px” header_4_font=”Montserrat|||on|||||” header_4_text_color=”#007732″ header_6_font=”Montserrat|600||on|||||” header_6_text_color=”#007732″ header_6_font_size=”16px” header_6_letter_spacing=”2px” header_6_line_height=”1.5em” max_width_last_edited=”off|desktop” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_padding=”|||” header_2_font_size_tablet=”” header_2_font_size_phone=”24px” header_2_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” header_3_font_size_tablet=”30px” header_3_font_size_phone=”22px” header_3_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}”]According to Osteoporosis Canada, most Canadian adults should take a daily vitamin D supplement. Read this article to find out why this vitamin is important and how to meet your daily recommended intake.[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_3,2_3″ _builder_version=”4.23.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.23″ _module_preset=”default” sticky_position=”top” sticky_limit_bottom=”row” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.23.1″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”||||||||” text_text_color=”#393939″ text_font_size=”18px” link_font=”Montserrat|500|||||||” link_text_color=”#393939″ link_font_size=”18px” background_color=”#f4f4f4″ custom_padding=”60px|40px|60px|40px|true|true” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]

• Role of vitamin D
  
• Vitamin D and sunshine
• Dietary sources of vitamin D
• Should I take a supplement?
• Choosing the right supplement

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ROLE OF VITAMIN D

Vitamin D is crucial for bone health as it aids in the absorption of calcium, contributing to strong bones and reducing the risk of fractures from falls. Additionally, several studies have indicated that it may lower the risk of various diseases, including diabetes, multiple sclerosis, and certain cancers.[/et_pb_text][et_pb_text module_id=”section-2″ _builder_version=”4.23.1″ text_font=”||||||||” link_font=”Montserrat|700|||||||” link_text_color=”#fa546d” link_font_size=”22px” link_line_height=”1.5em” header_font=”||||||||” header_2_font=”Montserrat|700|||||||” header_2_text_color=”#000000″ header_2_font_size=”40px” header_3_font=”Montserrat|700|||||||” header_3_text_color=”#393939″ header_3_font_size=”30px” header_4_font=”Montserrat|||on|||||” header_4_text_color=”#007732″ header_6_font=”Montserrat|600||on|||||” header_6_text_color=”#007732″ header_6_font_size=”16px” header_6_letter_spacing=”2px” header_6_line_height=”1.5em” max_width_last_edited=”off|desktop” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_padding=”|||” header_2_font_size_tablet=”” header_2_font_size_phone=”24px” header_2_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” header_3_font_size_tablet=”30px” header_3_font_size_phone=”22px” header_3_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}”]

VITAMIN D AND SUNSHINE

The body naturally produces vitamin D when the skin is exposed to sunlight. However, in Canada, particularly during the extended winter months, the sun’s rays may not be potent enough to stimulate this production.

In an ideal scenario, the body would generate sufficient vitamin D during the summer, storing it to meet the demands during periods when vitamin D synthesis is limited. Nevertheless, several factors can hinder the body’s ability to accumulate an ample supply of vitamin D:

1. Sunscreen: While sunscreens protect the skin from harmful sun effects, they also diminish the skin’s capacity to produce vitamin D.
2. Aging: The skin’s ability to generate vitamin D decreases with age.
3. Minimal sun exposure, even in summer: Certain individuals, such as those who are unwell, elderly, or have limited outdoor exposure, may rarely or never be in contact with sunlight.

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DIETARY SOURCES OF VITAMIN D

Achieving the recommended daily intake of vitamin D solely through diet can be challenging, as only a limited number of foods naturally contain it.

Vitamin D sources include oily fish (such as salmon and sardines), egg yolks, and foods fortified with vitamin D, such as dairy products, margarine, select plant-based beverages, and certain brands of orange juice.[/et_pb_text][et_pb_text module_id=”section-4″ _builder_version=”4.23.1″ text_font=”||||||||” link_font=”Montserrat|700|||||||” link_text_color=”#fa546d” link_font_size=”22px” link_line_height=”1.5em” header_font=”||||||||” header_2_font=”Montserrat|700|||||||” header_2_text_color=”#000000″ header_2_font_size=”40px” header_3_font=”Montserrat|700|||||||” header_3_text_color=”#393939″ header_3_font_size=”30px” header_4_font=”Montserrat|||on|||||” header_4_text_color=”#007732″ header_6_font=”Montserrat|600||on|||||” header_6_text_color=”#007732″ header_6_font_size=”16px” header_6_letter_spacing=”2px” header_6_line_height=”1.5em” max_width_last_edited=”off|desktop” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_padding=”|||” header_2_font_size_tablet=”” header_2_font_size_phone=”24px” header_2_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” header_3_font_size_tablet=”30px” header_3_font_size_phone=”22px” header_3_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}”]

SHOULD I TAKE A SUPPLEMENT?

Due to our climate, the importance of shielding the skin from the sun’s harmful effects, and the limited vitamin D content in our foods, many Canadians face a risk of vitamin D deficiency. Consequently, numerous experts, including Osteoporosis Canada, advocate for most adults to incorporate a daily vitamin D supplement.

The recommended daily intake of vitamin D varies based on age and an individual’s risk of osteoporosis:

• Healthy adults aged 19 to 50: 400 to 1,000 IU per day
• Adults aged 19 to 50 at high risk of osteoporosis: 800 to 2,000 IU per day
• Adults over 50: 800 to 2,000 IU per day

If supplementation is necessary, it is crucial to estimate the person’s dietary intake to determine the appropriate daily dosage. Typically, healthy children, except for breastfed babies, who are often outdoors and consume daily dairy products, do not usually require vitamin D supplements.[/et_pb_text][et_pb_text module_id=”section-4″ _builder_version=”4.23.1″ text_font=”||||||||” link_font=”Montserrat|700|||||||” link_text_color=”#fa546d” link_font_size=”22px” link_line_height=”1.5em” header_font=”||||||||” header_2_font=”Montserrat|700|||||||” header_2_text_color=”#000000″ header_2_font_size=”40px” header_3_font=”Montserrat|700|||||||” header_3_text_color=”#393939″ header_3_font_size=”30px” header_4_font=”Montserrat|||on|||||” header_4_text_color=”#007732″ header_6_font=”Montserrat|600||on|||||” header_6_text_color=”#007732″ header_6_font_size=”16px” header_6_letter_spacing=”2px” header_6_line_height=”1.5em” max_width_last_edited=”off|desktop” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_padding=”|||” header_2_font_size_tablet=”” header_2_font_size_phone=”24px” header_2_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” header_3_font_size_tablet=”30px” header_3_font_size_phone=”22px” header_3_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}”]

CHOOSING THE RIGHT SUPPLEMENT

Vitamin D supplements are sold either as a standalone supplement, in combination with calcium, or as a multivitamin. There are various forms of vitamin D. Vitamin D3 is preferable, as it is more readily absorbed by the body.

If you are unsure about your vitamin D requirements, or if you need help choosing the right supplement, ask your pharmacist. [/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]