Are you getting enough Vitamin D?
Most Canadians need regular supplements; however experts say what Canadians do not need are Vitamin D deficiency screening tests.
The growing awareness of the need for Vitamin D has also led to a growing demand for blood tests that can reveal to people if they do need extra Vitamin D.
Alberta Health Services reports that in 2008 there were about 50,000 requisitions for Vitamin D testing in the Calgary Zone, but by 2012 that had jumped to 200,000.
Experts say otherwise healthy Canadians do not need expensive screening and therefore, Alberta Health Services is trying to reduce the number of requests for screening tests.
The experts say you don’t need a test to determine if you should take Vitamin D supplements – just assume you do.
Dr. David Hanley, a leading expert on Vitamin D from the University of Calgary said “probably all Canadians should be taking a Vitamin D supplement.”
Dr. Hanley said it’s not necessary to test for deficiency in the average healthy Canadian.
Ongoing research shows that most Canadians require regular Vitamin D supplements.
He said “I don't think there was any question we were getting too many Vitamin D tests done. I think it needs to be restricted to a certain extent.”
Audra Savage, an RN who owns Vitamins First said “Idon't think it's necessary to run for a blood test. We're all deficient we know that now.”
When it comes to the actual dose an individual should take daily, Dr. Hanley said “under 50, there's a handy one-thousand unit so I would say take that - if you are over age 50 take a couple of them.”
Vitamin D is not just for adults, children need it too.
As for why experts recommend a daily dose of Vitamin D, according to Osteoporosis Canada website, “Vitamin D is essential to the treatment of osteoporosis…and is necessary for normal bone growth. Some research suggests it may also ward off immune diseases, infection and cancer.”
