Consensus statement for New Zealand: March 14, 2012
Summary:
- ALL people at high risk of being vitamin D deficient in NZ should have a 50,000 IU vitamin D3 monthly prescription
- Future Consensus statement for pregnancy
- 32% of New Zealand had vitamin D levels less than 20 nanograms/ml in 2009
It is important to note what is missing:
- A great many organizations and countries place 30 nanograms as the minimum
- Winter would increase the percentage (less sun)
- They failed to mention such high risk groups as seniors
- Higher percentage would be deficient in their island which is further from the equator (less sunshine)
- Probably more New Zealanders have become deficient by 2012 (it has been 3 years since the study)
26 reasons for deficiency - 12 of which are new in the past 40 years
Based on data from many other countries, Vitamin D Life anticipates:
>90% of those in high risk groups on the South Island will have < 30 nanogram in the winter
Hhigh risk group examples: dark skin, senior, pregnant, obese
Consensus statement does NOT recommend widespread testing vitamin D levels (we agree – not needed)
They recommend getting it only by prescription (we disagree)