The Canadian Cancer Society (CCS) is recommending that people with light skin take 1,000 IU of vitamin D per day in the fall and winter, and people with darker skin and those who do not get much sunlight take that amount year-round. CCS based its decision on a U.S. study published in the June issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, which found that women who took 1,100 IU of vitamin D per day had a substantial drop in cancer risk. By making its recommendation, CCS is breaking with Canadian public health policy, which follows U.S. guidelines of 200 IU to 400 IU of vitamin D for most adults. Heather Logan, director of Cancer Control Policy at CCS, stated, “We’re recommending 1,000 IU [of vitamin D] daily because the current evidence suggests this amount will help reduce cancer risk with the least potential for harm.”

Reference: Canadian Cancer Society: June, 2007.

Tags: cancer, skin, vitamin D

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