Vitamin D has been in the news in recent months as researchers find out more about its functions as a hormone and its role in the prevention of certain cancers, autoimmune diseases, rheumatoid arthritis, type 1 diabetes, Crohn’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, metabolic syndrome, and even infectious diseases such as influenza. Medical experts now feel that its daily requirements are actually higher than we’ve previously thought, and that many of us are suffering from vitamin D deficiencies.

Shaklee is not in favour of introducing a stand-alone vitamin D supplement because this important fat-soluble vitamin works best when it’s combined with other nutrients to help in the development and maintenance of bones and teeth, and the absorption and use of calcium and phosphorus. For this reason, Shaklee U.S. announced at the 2009 Global Conference held in St. Louis that extra vitamin D will be added to products such as Vita-Lea® and Shaklee Vitalizer™.

Shaklee Canada will also increase the vitamin D content of the Canadian versions of Vita-Lea, Vitalizer, Super Cal Mag Plus, and Chewable Cal Mag Plus in the future. However, we cannot do this overnight, as these products are all regulated by Health Canada’s Natural Health Products Directorate, and we must make submissions and receive official approval prior to making any changes to vitamin D levels.

New versions of Advanced Formula Vita-Lea that we wish to sell in Canada are still under review by Health Canada, so when the products are approved, we’ll submit amendments to increase the vitamin D levels to match those just announced in the U.S. versions of these products.

The current vitamin D Adequate Daily Intakes from the Food and Nutrition Board of the Institute of Medicine, National Academies, which are used by both Health Canada and by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA), are as follows:

• Infants: 400 IU per day

• Ages 1–50 years: 200 IU per day

• Ages 51–70 years: 400 IU per day

• Ages 71 and over: 600 IU per day

In spite of these recommendations, many doctors are now advising their elderly patients to aim for 1,000 IU per day of vitamin D, and that up to 2,000 IU per day is probably safe (but persons prone to kidney stones should check with their doctors if wanting to take more than 1,000 IU per day).

Right now, Canadian Advanced Formula Vita-Lea tablets each contain 200 IU of vitamin D, so the daily dose of two tablets gives 400 IU. If a person used one Vitalizer Vita-Strip™ (400 IU from two Vita-Lea tablets and 200 IU from two Caroto-E-Omega capsules = 600 IU total) and four Super Cal Mag Plus tablets (400 IU) per day, he or she would be getting 1,000 IU of vitamin D.