Oral

The majority of our circulating levels of vitamin D originate from skin synthesis upon exposure to adequate sunlight. Skin synthesis of vitamin D is absent in winter or through other factors, making adequate dietary intake of vitamin D critical for at risk groups. Vitamin D has many functions beyond its role in calcium regulation and bone health. It is now recognized that chronic disease risk is greater when vitamin D status is low. Many epidemiological studies support use of vitamin D for prevention of cancers of the breast and colon. An increase in Vitamin D levels could reduce the economic burden of disease could be reduced in the United States. Naturally occurring vitamin D in foods is limited to fatty ocean fish, as liver and eggs with their high cholesterol content are impractical to recommend. This session will discuss the importance of maintaining adequate levels of Vitamin D and policy issues that could improve our Vitamin D intake. In the United States, many food categories beyond fluid milk may lawfully be fortified with vitamin D; however, this fortification is optional and not often done. Mandatory listing of vitamin D content on food labels may stimulate more optional fortification. We will close with a presentation to share the experiences of a pilot project designed to implement a Vitamin D public health promotion.

Session Objectives: At the end of this session, participants will be better able to: • Explain the steps and precautions needed to substantially reduce incidence of breast and colon cancer worldwide using vitamin D3 supplementation • Describe the current problem of vitamin D insufficiency in the US and its association with increased disease risk • Identify three key things about vitamin D that get the attention of the public, the medical groups, the institutions

CE Credits: CME, Health Education (CHES), Nursing