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OTTAWA, ON:  Proclaiming a day to raise awareness of the benefits of optimal levels of Vitamin D is an initiative which received support from more than 20 municipalities across Canada.

Dr. James Lunney, MP for Nanaimo-Alberni, says Bill C-388 will establish a permanent National Vitamin D Day and continue to raise awareness to the importance of Vitamin D while encouraging more individuals and communities to embrace this low cost, personal health promotion, disease prevention initiative.

The Bill that designates Nov. 2 as National Vitamin D Day is currently making its way through the legislative process.

Abundant scientific research over the past decade has underscored the vital role of Vitamin D in boosting immune response, strengthening bones and muscles and significantly reducing the risk of serious diseases, including cancer, heart disease, diabetes, stroke, multiple sclerosis and seasonal viral infections such as the flu.

“Naked at noon! Full body exposure with the sun high in the sky the average Canadian will produce all the D needed. November 2nd is a good time to take note that our ‘Vitamin D Winter’ is upon us; blood levels are dropping along with the shorter days, low incident light and reduced skin exposure. Canadians are in greater need of boosting our Vitamin D levels,” said Lunney.

The Vitamin D Society states, “It’s now quite clear that our ancestral Vitamin D status was a lot higher than most citizens of the industrialized nations achieve today.”

Our increasing indoor lifestyle plays a huge part in Canadians’ developing suboptimal levels of Vitamin D.  Alarmingly, a major study by Statistics Canada found 60% – 70% of Canadians have low levels of this important vitamin.

“Raising awareness of the benefits of Vitamin D and pursuing cost-effective health measures will improve the health of Canadians and reduce the burden of illness on families while advancing sustainable health care in Canada,” concluded Lunney. Vitamin D: are you getting yours?

Source: https://www.jameslunneymp.ca/english/?p=2881