If Canadians got the daily recommended value of vitamin D, there could be 37,000 fewer deaths each year and the country’s health-care system would save $14.4 billion, a study released Tuesday concluded.

The investigation into vitamin D deficiency in Canada, undertaken by researchers at the University of Alberta, University of Saskatchewan and the Sunlight, Nutrition and Health Research Center in San Francisco, found that only 10 per cent of Canadians were getting the necessary daily dose of the nutrient, which is produced naturally in humans through exposure to sunlight.

Reference:

Edmonton Journal, April 7 2010