Vitamin D is an essential nutrient for the effective utilisation of calcium. Together with calcium, it helps prevent osteoporosis and fractures. Recently, studies have shown that higher intakes of vitamin D could reduce the incidence of cancer in the population.

In the winter, the sunshine is too weak to allow the formation of sufficient amounts of vitamin D by the body. Despite food fortification with vitamin D, the Canadian population is still not getting its daily recommended intake in vitamin D. The revised (2007) Canadian Food Guide recommends that all adults above 50 take a vitamin D supplement to reach their daily recommended intake.