Posted May 16, 2009
Canadian Cancer Society Reminds High Risk Canadians to Consider Taking Vitamin D Year Round
The Victoria Day long weekend (May 16 – 18) – Patriot’s Day in Quebec – is a good time for Canadians to consider consulting their healthcare providers about their Vitamin D intake.
According to the Canadian Cancer Society, the two things for Canadians to remember at this time of the year are:
– Adults at higher risk of having lower Vitamin D levels should consider taking a daily Vitamin D supplement of 1,000 IUs year round, which means continuing to take a supplement throughout the spring and summer months. 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
– While exposure to sunlight is one way to get Vitamin D, the Society cautions Canadians about too much unprotected sun exposure.
“We encourage Canadians to enjoy the nice weather and be active,” says Heather Chappell, Senior Manager, Cancer Control Policy, Canadian Cancer Society. “However, it’s important to remember that a few minutes a day of unprotected sun exposure is all that some people need to get enough Vitamin D during the spring and summer months. People should protect themselves from the sun between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. when the sun’s rays are at their strongest, and any time of the day when the UV index is three of more.”
The Society’s Vitamin D recommendation is based on the growing body of evidence about the link between Vitamin D and reducing the risk for colorectal cancer and the potential link for reducing the risk of breast cancer.
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 www.cancer.ca or call our toll-free-bilingual Cancer Information Service at 1 888 939-3333.
SOURCE: Canadian Cancer Society (National Office)
Date: May 13, 2009 CONTACT: Alexa Giorgi, Bilingual Communications Specialist, (416) 934-5681
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