What is vitamin D? Fat-soluble vitamin Produced when the sun reacts with a substance in the skin A massive 90 % is made by the skin and only 10% comes from the foods we eat

Benefits of Vitamin D Bone Health Immune Support

Vitamin D and bone health Healthy bones and teeth need vitamin D Vitamin D aids the absorption of calcium and other minerals Lack of vitamin D leads to rickets in children In adults, lack of vitamin D can lead to osteomalacia and osteoporosis

Vitamin D and the immune system Low levels of vitamin D are linked with a wide range of health problems Adequate levels of vitamin D are needed for : general good health normal growth muscle function healthy immune system

The facts Can you really be low in Vitamin D? What are the statistics? Are you getting enough Vitamin D?

Can you really be low? Too much sun can cause skin cancer Sun is also the main source of bone-building vitamin D High percentage of vitamin D deficiency in Australia and New Zealand

The estimates… % of people low in Vitamin D MalesFemales Summer-autumn27%40 % Winter-spring35%58% Professor Rebecca Mason estimates that in Australasia: Adult Nutritional Survey in NZ: 32% of NZ population are below the recommended blood level of Vitamin D

Are you getting enough D? There are very few symptoms of D deficiency: o General aches and pains o Low resistance to infections including colds and flu Ask your doctor for a vitamin D test to find out

Who is most likely D deficient? Higher targets for optimum health More people in higher risk groups:  Don’t go out in the sun much  Older people  Naturally dark skin  Covered up with clothing  Clinically obese  People working indoors  Entertained indoors

How much Vitamin D do we need? Boys and girls 1-18yrs 15 μg (micrograms) day (600) (IU/day) Adults (male and female) 19-70yrs 15 μg (micrograms) day(600) (IU/day) Adults (male and female) 71+yrs 20 μg (micrograms) day (800) (IU/day) 50 nmol/L 50 nanomoles per litre of plasma is recommended Note: Upper limit is 100 μg (micrograms) day (4000 IU/day) and adverse events can be seen above this level These revised US Recommended Daily Allowances (RDA) for vitamin D are based on the amounts of vitamin D needed to maintain serum levels >50 nmol/L of blood with minimal exposure to sunlight.

How do I get vitamin D? Safe Sun Food Supplements

Vitamin D from Safe Sun Sun is our major natural source of vitamin D Sun exposure of six to eight minutes in peak UV periods everyday should help to meet the average person’s requirements

Vitamin D from Food Primarily from fortified foods including: Oily fish (salmon, sardines and swordfish) Vitamin D fortified foods (breakfast cereals, milk, butter, eggs, meat, etc.) UV-exposed mushrooms

Vitamin D from Supplements Helps bridge the nutritional gap Assumes prime importance for those at risk of deficiency Benefits those with sun-sensitive skin Support for the immunosuppressed

Supplementing with USANA Nutritionals USANA was one of the first global producers to act on emerging scientific evidence on vitamin D and raised the vitamin D Included in the Essentials TM range USANA’s Vitamin D supplement for the vitamin D deficient

USANA’s Essentials Essentials TM - Mega Antioxidant – vitamin D increased from 150IU to 200IU per tablet BodyRox TM – vitamin D increased from 133IU to 333IU per tablet Usanimals TM – vitamin D increased from 200IU to 400IU per tablet

For the vitamin D deficient

USANA’s Vitamin D Each tablet contains 1000 IU/25 mcg of vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) Benefits of USANA’s Vitamin D include: Helps to maintain healthy bones Supports efficient calcium absorption Necessary for normal bone mineralisation Important for the maintenance of muscle strength Supports robust and normal healthy immune function

USANA’s Vitamin D Professor Mason commented on USANA’s vitamin D preparation saying ‘Vitamin D3 supplements as cholecalciferol provide the same form of vitamin D as we make in the skin and supplements are a reasonable way to improve vitamin D status if more sun exposure is not practical (if you do too much indoors, if you have dark skin, if it is culturally inappropriate and for older people who don’t want to go out or can’t do so).’ USANA Vitamin D; each tablet contains vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) 1000 IU/25 micrograms. Suggested dose: take one table daily preferably with meals. Vitamin supplements should not replace a balanced diet. USE ONLY AS DIRECTED. ALWAYS READ THE LABEL.

What’s next? Ask for a vitamin D test to check your vitamin D levels If you are deficient or borderline low, act on a good regime of safe sun exposure, fortified food and supplementation

For more information The vitamin D deficiency Guide: of Medicine of the National Academies (US): Dietary Reference Intakes for Calcium and Vitamin D Cancer Council: SunSmart/VitaminD.htm Sun Smart app for iPhones and iPad: References available on request