Fellow Canadians,
We need your help!
Let’s make a significant improvement in our collective health and save our country billions of dollars annually by simply paying attention to our vitamin D sufficiency.
Other important steps to promoting Vitamin D sufficiency:
- Review our research: See the abstract ( click here ) and other materials ( click here )
- Consider if you are vitamin D sufficient or if supplementary vitamin D is advisable for you, your family and your friends.
- Discuss vitamin D testing and sufficiency with your doctor, nurse or other healthcare providers.
- Contact the following with your vitamin D concerns: your local public health officer, provincial public health officer, provincial MP/MLA, federal MP, and any others who would benefit from you educating them.
- Request that vitamin D testing be covered by provincial health plans to help citizens take appropriate doses of vitamin D.
Kanji Nakatsu, PhD
Emeritus Professor, Pharmacology, Queen’s University
Chair, CCCA Vitamin D Sufficiency Initiative
The “old guy” has enough Vit D in the tank to power a bicycle across Canada.
What’s the big D-eal?
Are Canadians Getting Enough?
Probably Not. Multiple studies have shown most Canadians have insufficient body levels of vitamin D (VitD, the sunshine vitamin) to ensure optimal health. The primary reason for this is inadequate exposure to sunlight’s ultraviolet (UV) rays because of our northern location and indoor work, although genetics, diet, skin pigmentation, clothing, sun screen use, air pollutants, age and other factors also contribute to VitD insufficiency
Why Worry?
Many Reasons. Low VitD levels are strongly associated with a broad spectrum of diseases that hamper our enjoyment of good health. Examples of these diseases include: cancers, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, viral and bacterial infections, multiple sclerosis, dementia, other neurological disorders, and poor oral health
Where is it needed?
Everywhere! The fundamental importance of VitD is demonstrated by the location of specific receptors for this essential vitamin in virtually every type of human cell, where they regulate hundreds of cellular processes to maintain good health.
How much is enough?
More than you think. Evidence now shows that the amount of VitD needed to ensure bone health is lower than that required for optimal function of its many other actions. While Health Canada’s suggested daily dose for bone health ranges from 400 to 800 IU/day, many researchers, doctors and health associations advocate much higher daily doses. Our scientific assessment is based on blood levels of 125 nmol/l. At 5000 IU/ day, it could take the average person 3-6 months to achieve sufficiency. Thus, we recommend that citizens evaluate their own VitD sufficiency and consider supplementation as necessary.
Healthcare spending benefits?
Yes, a lot! Evidence indicates that the Canadian population would be significantly healthier if it were to become VitD sufficient. Moreover, the annual savings to healthcare costs would exceed $23 billion (~6-7% of total healthcare spending in Canada for 2023, estimated to be $344 billion).
Get Involved and Spread the Word!
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Distribute “Are you getting enough?” information to your contacts
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Distribute information about vitamin D through your social media contacts
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Assist with the symposium
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Help make one-minute videos about Vitamin D
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Talk with your family doctor and other healthcare professionals about vitamin D sufficiency
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Contact your public health officer, MP and MLA
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Wear informative clothing like the “Are you getting enough?” T-shirt
Events and Activities
Jan 23, 2025: Kanji will speak on Vitamin D at the Kingston, ON Seniors Centre
Nov 19, 2024: CCCA Book Launch: “Down the COVID-19 Rabbit Hole: Independent Scientists and Physicians Unmask the Pandemic”, which includes a detailed chapter on the importance of Vitamin D. Order through Indigo or Amazon or ask your local bookstore or library
Nov 1 – 2, 2024: Vitamin D Symposium: Are You Getting Enough? Empowering Health with VitaminD View Summary
July 29 – Oct 27, 2024: Petition e-5076 submitted to the federal government seeking: an update to outdated blood level guidelines; removing disincentives for Vitamin D testing; and promoting Vitamin D sufficiency for all Canadians.
Kanji Cycles Across Canada
In May 2024, Dr. Kanji Nakatsu and his wife, Susie, started a cross-Canada bicycle ride to publicize the importance of vitamin D for Canadians. They bicycled from Kingston, ON to Halifax, NS, where Kanji was interviewed by Brad Dryden of the Breeze, which was broadcast in Halifax, Edmonton and Vancouver. They then flew their bikes to Nanaimo, BC and bicycled across BC until they encountered a health problem that forced the termination of the bike ride and a return to Kingston in a rented car.
When friends at the Canadian Citizens Care Alliance learned of the problems, they came up with an idea to address the problem. They decided to help complete the cross-Canada bike ride by contributing kilometres of their own to the Nakatsus’ total and entering them in a website for this purpose. People were invited to contribute their kilometres by self-propelled activities outdoors where they would also make vitamin D. By November 2, World Vitamin D Day, the team had covered sufficient distance to cross Canada two and half times. Two people deserve to be mentioned- Jim who biked 40 km per day and Andrew who made over 70 entries after hiking in the coulee in Lethbridge, AB.
Kanji and Susie wish to thank all of you who walked, biked, sailed, swam, ran etc for all your support.
Follow Kanji on Instagram @dvitaman and Facebook Kanji Nakatsu
Podcast and Videos
Research Materials
La vitamine D est essen,elle pour une santé op,male :
En avez-vous assez?
De nombreuses études ont montré que la plupart des Canadiennes et Canadiens ont des niveaux corporels insuffisants de vitamine D (VitD, la vitamine du soleil) pour assurer une santé op2male. La
principale raison en est l’exposi2on inadéquate aux rayons ultraviolets (UV) du soleil en raison de notre situa2on nordique et du travail à l’intérieur, bien que la géné2que, l’alimenta2on, la pigmenta2on de la peau, les vêtements, l’u2lisa2on d’un écran solaire, les polluants atmosphériques, l’âge et d’autres facteurs contribuent également à l’insuffisance de VitD.
May 31, 2024 Edition
Vitamin D is Essential for Optimal Health:
Are you getting enough?
Most Canadians do not have sufficient levels of vitamin D to support their physiology and optimal health. Known as the sunshine vitamin, Vitamin D is essential for the function of virtually every cell in the human body, highlighting its potential impact on health and wellbeing. Ensuring adequate vitamin D levels is a simple, cost effective, and powerful public health initiative for optimizing the well-being of Canadians.
March 10, 2024 Edition
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