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February 22, 2007
New Food Guide Emphasizes Intake of Calcium and Vitamin D
Canada's new Food Guide, released earlier this month, provides a much-needed update to the food intake
recommendations Canadians have followed for the past 14 years. It aims to incorporate current scientific
knowledge about maintaining good health.
One new feature is the Guide's inclusion of age and gender-specific recommendations. From the perspective of
osteoporosis prevention, the most important addition is a focus on vitamin D and its vital role in calcium
absorption.
 "Osteoporosis Canada is pleased that the new Canada Food Guide recognizes the important
role calcium and vitamin D play in bone health. The recommendation that Canadians over 50 take a vitamin D
supplement acknowledges the difficulty in obtaining this vitamin by diet and sun exposure alone, particularly
for older Canadians," said Dr. Famida Jiwa, VP, Osteoporosis Canada.
The new Guide recommends that adults over 50 take a daily supplement containing 400 IU of vitamin D.
When combined with vitamin D from milk and alternatives, a total of about 600 IU of vitamin D would be
obtained.
Osteoporosis Canada suggests slightly more. The current Osteoporosis Canada recommendations encourage adults over 50
to consume 800 IU of vitamin D through diet and supplements to ensure proper calcium absorption.
It is important to note that in order to fulfill calcium intake recommendations, the Guide must be followed
in its entirety. Although milk and alternatives are a significant source of calcium, eating enough fruits and
vegetables, legumes and grains is essential to fulfilling one's daily needs. While adults aged 19 to 50
need 1000 mgs of calcium each day, Osteoporosis Canadas recommendations for adults over 50 and teens are
significantly higher, at 1500 mgs.
For more information on your nutritional requirements and how to fulfill them, please visit:
* Photo source: Health Canada website
and Media Photo Gallery, Health Canada .
Reproduced with the permission of the Minister of Public Works and Government Services Canada,
2007.
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