Stats Can meets Dr. Sunshine

It's official, about 10% of the population has inadequate concentrations of vitamin D and, of these, 1.1 million Canadians are vitamin D deficient -- this according to a Stats Can report released today. Men are more likely to be deficient than women, especially males under age 40.

The agency defined vitamin D deficiency as a concentration below 27.5 nanomoles per litre (nmol/L) — a measurement of concentration based on the number of molecules per litre of blood.

American dermatologist Michael "Dr Sunshine" Holick, the author of the new book "The Vitamin D Solution" blames The American Academy of Dermatology he told the New York Times this past weekend. He knocks the Academy for their recommendation that "that you should never be exposed to one ray of direct sunshine without sun protection." He suggests that the Academy is "heavily invested" in the cosmetic industry.

He recommends 2000 IU Ds a day and suggests you can get it by spending 15-30 minutes a day sunning your arms and legs. Why the legs? Because they comprise almost 40% of the skin's surface. He strongly recommends that you always protect your face with sunscreen.

Fired from the University of Boston because of his sunshine advocacy, he remains a controversial figure. For example, the new book's cover touts the vitamin for eveything from depression to autism. In the he latter case says it will help as an improvement to muscle function.

Not surprisingly he recommends that everyone take a supplement. There may soon be confirmation from Stats Can. Future analysis of the data will investigate factors that may influence vitamin D concentrations, such as supplement consumption, body mass index, pregnancy, fish consumption and use of sunscreen. the researchers. said.

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