CCS recommendation on Vitamin D supplementation

[learner]

Canadian Cancer Society (CCS) recommends supplementation of Vitamin D 1000 I.U. ( international units) during fall & winter season. 

Breast fed babies should get 400 I.U/ day. 

People at higher risk of having low Vitamin D levels include those who are older, have dark skin, do not go outside often & wear clothing that cover most of their skin. They should take supplement all year round. 

 

[dalsingh101]

Vit D is very important for nonwhite people living in colder climes. Technically it isn't a vitamin but a hormone.

I get mine tested yearly, but I work outside and in summer I get plenty of exposure to the sun. 

To me the whole vit D thing is similar to our understanding of the human endocannabinoid system. We simply don't have nearly enough understanding of the roles these play in our bodies although it is becoming apparent that they do not simply serve one function but have multiple roles in our physiology. 

I think more serious research should be conducted on these things, but there are a lot of agendas that seem to stifle this. 

[dalsingh101]

 

[Premi]

On 10/5/2018 at 5:41 PM, dalsingh101 said:

 

I think more serious research should be conducted on these things, but there are a lot of agendas that seem to stifle this. 

Which agendas ?

This is what NICE say in the UK:

https://cks.nice.org.uk/topics/vitamin-d-deficiency-in-adults/

Vitamin D deficiency in adults: Summary

• Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that regulates calcium and phosphate homeostasis and is therefore vital for musculoskeletal health.
• Vitamin D circulates in the blood as both vitamin D₃ (colecalciferol) and vitamin D₂ (ergocalciferol).
  • In the UK, 80–90% of vitamin D is derived from skin exposure to ultraviolet B radiation from sunlight, with the remaining 10–20% being derived from dietary sources.
  •  
• Recommended vitamin D thresholds in the UK in respect to bone health are:
  • An increased risk of vitamin D deficiency occurs at serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D) levels less than 25 nmol/L.
  • Vitamin D levels may be inadequate (or insufficient) in some people when serum 25(OH)D is 25–50 nmol/L.
  • Vitamin D levels are sufficient for most people when serum 25(OH)D is greater than 50 nmol/L.
• Risk factors for vitamin D deficiency include people:
  • Aged 65 years and over.
  • Who have low or no exposure to the sun, for example those who cover their skin; who are housebound or confined indoors for long periods.
  • Who have darker skin pigmentation.
  • With a malabsorption disorder, or following weight loss surgery.
  • With severe liver or end-stage chronic kidney disease.
  • Taking certain drugs.
  • Who are pregnant or breastfeeding.
  • With obesity.
• Complications of vitamin D deficiency include increased risk of:
  • Osteomalacia — may present with lower back pain, bone pain in the shoulder, ribs, pelvis, or legs; muscle pain and weakness; waddling gait; and impaired physical function.
  • Osteoporosis.
  • Falls and fragility fracture.

 

• Assessment for vitamin D deficiency (by checking serum 25[OH]D levels) should be arranged if a person has:
  • Musculoskeletal symptoms that may be attributable to vitamin D deficiency.
  • Suspected bone disease such as osteomalacia or osteoporosis that may be improved with vitamin D treatment.
  • Known bone disease such as osteoporosis or Paget's disease, where correction of vitamin D deficiency is needed prior to specific treatment.
• Management of a person with vitamin D deficiency includes:
  • Seeking specialist advice or arranging referral if the person has a condition predisposing to hypercalcaemia; a malabsorption disorder; renal stone disease; severe kidney or liver disease; or is pregnant.

 

• • Providing advice on sources of information and support.
  • Advising on safe sunlight exposure and dietary sources of vitamin D.
  • Prescribing a fixed loading dose followed by maintenance vitamin D therapy for people needing rapid treatment.
  • Prescribing maintenance dose vitamin D therapy for people needing less urgent treatment.
  • Assessing dietary calcium intake and the need for supplementation.
  • Arranging follow up to reassess serum calcium and vitamin D levels (if clinically indicated).
• Advice for the prevention of vitamin D deficiency should include:
  • Information on safe sunlight exposure and dietary sources of vitamin D.
  • Adults with risk factors should take a daily supplement containing 400 international units (IU) of vitamin D throughout the year.
  • Other adults should consider taking a daily supplement containing 400 IU of vitamin D, particularly in the autumn and winter.

[dalsingh101]

14 minutes ago, Premi said:

Which agendas ?

This is what NICE say in the UK:

Thankfully the covid thing has brought vit D into focus. I feel it has been relatively poorly studied myself, like our endocannabinoid system. Might be that as it's brown or black people who can suffer the most from deficiencies - certain people thought it wasn't that important.  

[dalsingh101]