VITAMIN D DEFICIENCY
Vitamin D deficiency is the most common nutritional deficiency worldwide in both children and adults. It has been estimated through a survey that we had done on over 20 thousand BP customers between June to September 2022, that as many as 80% of our customers nationwide had inadequate amounts of vitamin D in their bloodstream. Recognizing the prevalence of this issue and its health implications, BP has included serum vitamin D measurement as a free add-on to most of our health screening packages since last year! What then, do you do upon receiving a test result showing inadequate vitamin D levels?
WHY SUNLIGHT & DIETARY INTAKE MAY NOT ALWAYS BE THE ANSWER
- Sun exposure is unreliable
- It has been suggested that approximately 5-30 minutes of sun exposure between 10am to 3pm twice a week will provide sufficient daily vitamin D requirements (Holick, 2007)
- However, there are many variables that limit the reliability of this method. Increasing age and its consequent reduction of vitamin D synthesis, darker skin tones, inability of UVB rays to penetrate through glass and unpredictable weather limit the the efficacy of this method.
- The prevalence of vitamin D among the Malaysian population is astoundingly high despite the fact that Malaysia is located close to the Equatorial line – where we are enjoying sunlight all year round!
- In addition to that, exposure to UVB rays may increase the risk of sunburns, skin aging and skin cancer!
- Food sources
- With the exception of fatty fish (such as salmon, tuna), the vitamin D content of most foods is very low.
- Depending on the result of your serum vitamin D levels, our doctors may recommend up to 50000 iu of vitamin D weekly. That is a very large amount when compared to the amounts that we may obtain through diet alone. Let us take a look at a few food sources with the highest vitamin D content, as compiled by the U.S. National Institutes of Health, Office of Dietary Supplements:
| FOOD | INTERNATIONAL UNITS (IU) PER SERVING |
|---|---|
| Cod liver oil, 1 tablespoon | 1360 |
| Trout (rainbow), farmed, cooked, 3 ounces | 645 |
| Salmon (sockeye), cooked, 3 ounces | 570 |
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- If you were to aim for a weekly requirement of 50000 units of vitamin D, that is a lot of cod liver oil, trout, and salmon to take in. In order for a sashimi lover to reach this weekly requirement, a whopping 7.5kg of salmon intake a week is necessary!
HOW OUR COMPOUNDING VITAMIN D FORMULATIONS CAN HELP
- Our compounded vitamin D formulations are prescribed by certified doctors after taking into account your serum vitamin levels to ensure we recommend nothing more, nothing less.
- Vitamin D supplements in the market come in various different strengths from as low as 100iu per capsule. We, at BP, make it easy for our customers by providing high strength vitamin D in 2 different formulations : 2000iu per capsule and 25000iu per capsule. This takes out the consumers’ guesswork and makes achieving the targeted vitamin D levels a breeze.
- Our formulations and strengths of vitamin D supplements are compounded with the consumers’ ease of use in mind. It is either 1-2 tablets daily or 2 tablets weekly, titrated to your latest vitamin D levels. Less pills, less fuss, more health!