Lack of vitamin D is not only related to food or too little sun exposure. An international study co-authored by Brent Richards from the Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research in Montreal discovered that three genetic variations are also related to vitamin D deficiency.
People who carry these risk genes are 2.5 times more likely to suffer from a deficiency. 10% of Canadians (3,000,000 people) have a vitamin D deficiency and 1.1 million Canadians have a pronounced deficiency.
Richards comments: "This in no way lets us understand whether people should take large doses of vitamin D — only what genes influence vitamin levels. We’re doing followup studies to determine whether or not people who have these risk genes need higher doses of vitamin D."
People living in Canada must consume more vitamin D in their diets or take supplements to compensate for the lack of sunlight during the winter.
Vitamin D is very important for healthy bones and muscle tissue. A deficiency promotes body fat, weaker muscles and the occurrence of diseases like cancer, osteoporosis, diabetes, plus cardiovascular and autoimmune diseases.