Vitamin D supplements for maintaining health and well-being

September brings the end of summer and, for many of us, means less time in the sun and more opportunity for vitamin D deficiency.

The sunshine vitamin, so called because our bodies use sunlight to make vitamin D, will be just one of the supplements on the list of many natural health retailers as they head to Expo East, October 2-4, taking place at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, North Building.

Produced by the Canadian Health Food Association (CHFA), www.chfa.ca, the trade-only exposition has over 550 exhibiting companies from across Canada and the United States featuring the newest innovations in natural and organic products for home, health, and planet.

While we may replenish our vitamin D levels through dietPM and fortified foods, the amount now recommended by public health groups such as Canadian Cancer Society make it much more difficult to do so through diet alone.

In 2007 the Canadian Cancer Society recommended that adults take five times more than the government guideline. It recommended that adults with white skin take 1,000 International Units (IU) a day in the fall and winter as a cancer-prevention step while those with dark skin should supplement with at least 1,000 IU year round. The Canadian Paediatric Society recommended that pregnant women take 10 times the amount as suggested by Canada's Food Guide.

"Health food retailers will be stocking up on vitamin D supplements as they know Canadians have a greater awareness of this vitamin in maintaining health and well-being," says CHFA President & CEO, Penelope Marrett.

Besides vitamin D, retailers will also find on the trade show floor natural and organic foods, beverages, herbs and botanicals, health & beauty aids, sports nutrition, and other supplements such as fish oils, probiotics, and vitamins/minerals.

Expo East 2009 is open to a professional audience of buyers, retailers, media and service providers. It is not open to the general public.