Vitamin D and You

There seems to be much ado about vitamin D of late, and so this warrants a little clarification.There is often so much information to sort through that our hope is that you can pull a bit of useful information from this brief article.

What is it?

Vitamin D (D3 cholecalciferol²more easily absorbed and D2 ergocalciferol) is a fat-soluble vitamin that is both transported and stored by fat, in the body. Vitamin D is found in many dietary sources such as fish, eggs, fortified milk, and cod liver oil. Exposure to sunlight also contributes significantly to the daily production of vitamin D through UVB light rays. The major biologic function is to maintain normal blood levels of calcium and phosphorus, aiding in theabsorption of calcium, thereby helping to form strong bones. There seems to be significantsupport for vitamin D in the prevention or protection against osteoporosis, hypertension (highblood pressure), some cancers, and several autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis,diabetes (Type I), and rheumatoid arthritis.

How much is enough, or too much?

There appears to be some variability in the current research, but Health Canada suggests thefollowing, which is also supported by Osteoporosis Canada: