Vitamin D deficiency and its health implications: a review of the Canadian context

Abstract

The major cause of vitamin D deficiency is the lack of proper and ample exposure to sunlight. Only certain foods naturally contain vitamin D, and foods fortified with vitamin D are often insufficient to satisfy vitamin D requirements. Advertently or inadvertently, people avoid taking adequate sunlight, which is essential to attain the required level. Given the colossal ramifications of vitamin D deficiency, people must optimize their daily intakes to protect themselves from diseases resulting from vitamin D shortage. Vitamin D is critically significant for the absorption of dietary calcium and phosphate in circulation; it enables bone mineralisation by providing pertinent minerals to bone-forming and maintaining sites. The need for vitamin D must be prevented from occurring to enjoy a healthy life. It is also important that social institutions play a crucial role in custodianship by providing education, nutritional guidelines, and adequately monitoring the appropriateness of the preparation of vitamin D supplements. In this article, we attempt to address various health benefits that vitamin D brings and the dramatic health consequences on children and adults alike when there is vitamin D deficiency.