Despite the fact that new vitamin D stories appear in the press almost daily, almost nobody in Canada knows their vitamin D blood levels, a Canada-wide survey commissioned this fall by Dr. Marc Sorenson showed.

The survey, conducted by Ipsos Reid, reveals that 97 per cent of 516 Canadian women surveyed didn’t know their vitamin D levels. The survey also showed 77 per cent of women do not believe they’ve had a regular vitamin D blood test, also know as a calcidiol test.

“There is a call to action for vitamin D for all Canadians. Despite the numerous stories and research done on vitamin D, the message isn’t teaching Canadians, especially women, on the importance of getting their levels checked and how it relates to their overall health, especially breast cancer,” said Sorenson, author of “Vitamin D3 and Solar Power for Optimal Health. “Vitamin D is critical to our health, and almost nobody knows if they have enough or how to get it. And, it is especially important to know everything you can about vitamin D as we head into the colder and darker winter months.”

The cross-Canada survey commissioned by Sorenson to compliment the release of the second edition of his book, found almost 80 per cent of Canadian women have never had a conversation with their doctor about vitamin D as it relates to cancer prevention and overall health. Only 3 per cent of Canadian women surveyed know their vitamin D levels.

“All Canadians should be asking their doctors about vitamin D and check their levels. This research shows us that Canadians continue to be misinformed and uneducated about the importance of vitamin D — and not knowing vitamin D levels is like not knowing your cholesterol levels: it can create any number of health issues down the road,” said Sorenson. “Over 105 diseases, including breast cancer, osteoporosis and heart disease, are correlated to low vitamin D levels and the best source of vitamin D is the sun.”