| | Vitamin D deficiency Page 1 of 1 | Are you Vitamin D deficient? If you are, you are at risk for a number of diseases some chronic many autoimmune related.
Tips for getting enough Vitamin D, especially for those in a latitude/longitude of the Northern part of the US (less sunlight 6 months out of the year).
-10 minutes outside during the day without sunscreen (2-3 times a week)....during the summer months. Tanning bed during the Winter months. Before you claim skin cancer, 10 minutes 2-3 times a week will not kill you. It will however promote Vitamin D which is vital.
-If you don't want to use the sun as an option and choose supplements instead, be sure when you take Vitamin D (preferably D3) that you take it with 5-10grams of fat or eat something with fat within 30 minutes of taking the supplement. If you eat before taking the supplement and the meal contains the proper grams of fat, then take within 60 minutes after eating if not during the meal.
What this looks like? A glass of 2% milk, 2 tbsp of peanut butter, etc. You can look on the nutritional label to see the fat grams per serving.
Why you may ask? The reason for taking Vit D with fat is due to absorption. You need to have a small amount in your stomach to absorb the vitamin otherwise it is destroyed by the acid and expelled. So although you can be taking a supplement, you can still have a deficiency or not having the vitamin be effective due to the absorption process.
http://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminD/
As with all supplements, be sure to research the company who manufactures the product. There are over 1500 supplements on the market and many are not considered clean or of quality. Always be aware of what you are putting in your body.
If you choose not to go the supplement route, then you can find Vitamin D in a variety of food choices...some are included in the link above. Just be aware that although the recommended amount is currently 600 IUs a day, there are doctors who are recommending 2000IUs a day if you are in an one of the Wintery/cloudy area of the world (equivalent to MidWest, New England, etc where the sun hides for 6 months).
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| Vitamin D deficiency
Posted: 11/13/2011 12:36:07 PM | Actually 2000 IU is the lowest dosage recommended, it can go high as 5000 IU, 600 IU is only for rickets. Also pollution plays a factor in vitamin D production. I can't get enough vitamin D from sunlight in Toronto. You also need to consume some foods that contain magesium. It is suggest to eat a serving of seeds or nuts every other day and a few servings of leafy green vegetables.
http://www.vitamindcouncil.org/ | |
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| Vitamin D deficiency
Posted: 11/13/2011 12:44:10 PM | There are some parts of the world...like the states, who are not up to speed and still have doctors recommending 600 IU, even though 2000 IU is what is ideal as the minimum.
There are many other minerals the body needs to consume in order to be healthy. Vitamin D seems to be the one that is commonly taken incorrectly or missed by Doctors.
When someone is complaining of fatigue, depression, and a long list of other symptoms, Vitamin D deficiency should be one of the first things to check. Unfortunately, med schools spend little to no time on Nutrition education and refer patients to a Dietician....who may not always be the best qualified.
I know there are many Dieticians who are very good. I know the one I saw a few years ago was not the best. The diet she recommended I stay on was not ideal for someone who was training heavily for an endurance event (4 days of cycling covering 250 miles). She was more familiar with what to tell people who were inactive or overweight rather then working with athletes. | |
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| Vitamin D deficiency
Posted: 11/13/2011 3:43:34 PM | | If you workout a lot you need a lot of magesium, otherwise you can run into trouble. Magesium is a very important nutrient. You can die if you don't have enough magesium, while jogging, running, biking etc. This is especially true during the hot summer months. You lose a lot of magesium when sweating from exercise. | |
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| Vitamin D deficiency
Posted: 11/13/2011 4:34:36 PM | Thank you Canuck....
Again, I was focusing on Vitamin D. Coming in to Winter months, this is something that people are becoming more aware of the lack of it from little sun exposure. | |
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| Vitamin D deficiency
Posted: 11/14/2011 1:14:22 PM | | I wish there was an easy way to test for our individual levels. So many vitamins and minerals seem to be tied to hype in the media. Years ago it was vitamin E would be the miracle then it fades and is replaced by C then up comes D. Most people arent going to go to a doctor and get a blood test, plus doctors usually role their eyes when you talk about any kind of vitamin or supplement. I think most adults would be a little D defficient in our winter months but still I dont think any really know. | |
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| Vitamin D deficiency
Posted: 11/14/2011 3:19:45 PM | True, the reason I would think why most MDs roll their eyes is due to lack of knowledge. When I've presented questions on vitamins, etc they say yes, take some. But to the extent of what etc, they can answer if they have the education to do so.
Obviously the body needs a multitude of vital vitamins and minerals. The reason for ongoing studies and tracing a Vit D deficiency is being made more aware probably due to so many things linked with the deficiency that are becoming more prominent. I would suspect why is because so many people are skin cancer aware and lather up sunscreen before leaving the house coupled with our society is more prone to staying indoors (office jobs, kids playing on computers/video games, etc.), as well as diet. | |
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| Vitamin D deficiency
Posted: 2/7/2012 10:50:32 PM | Fish such as sardines are apparently a great source of Vitamin D, along with leafy greens. That's what's in my fridge this winter.  | |
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| Vitamin D deficiency
Posted: 2/12/2012 5:05:21 PM | The models of the health care change slowly. 10 years back, when I came to Canada, I had experienced VitD deficiency on my own head. I mean it, they started me on antidepressants. I went to an older MD, who mainly treated women with osteoporosis, and he put me on 4K units of vitD daily, while he said the med college did not support such doses. Guess what? I got off antideps in few months, more over, last year, it was admitted officially and made a routine to put patients on 20K units/week, at least the hospitalized elderly.
The problem is the produce and other food we consume today, is largely depleted off vits and minerals, so an external source is needed.
cheers | |
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| Vitamin D deficiency
Posted: 2/15/2012 11:05:08 AM | | Vitamin D deficiency is caused by vitamin D malabsorbtion (which I have) . The body is unable to absorb any and all forms of vitamin D (from a healthy diet and supplements). There are plenty of medications to stop the body from rejecting vitamin D. A doctor is the best resource on this issue who can diagnose via blood work. | |
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| Vitamin D deficiency
Posted: 2/17/2012 9:20:58 PM | I live in a sun-starved latitude and happily take extra vit D myself. HOWEVER:I have to say, this is absolutely something for which your blood levels should be checked. I recently spoke to someone (fair-skinned blonde of N european descent-yes genetics are medically relevant in this case ) who had been prescribed it. She had hellatious sx for a year and almost went into a coma, specifically because it was not appropriate for her to supplement vit D. I don't mean to scare folks, D is important for many many things, and as I said, I happily take it myself. Where I live many are on fairly high doses. But DO be aware that for a minority of people, it can be deadly!. Conversely, for the majority of those with very dark skin, because of their higher pigment, they actually usually need an even higher dose than those with lighter skin for optimal health. So... all in all, good to stay on top of blood levels of vitamin D | |
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| Vitamin D deficiency
Posted: 2/18/2012 12:50:32 PM | Our very biological form and existence is a result of the life-giving energies of the sun. Without it, there would be no life on Earth. As we evolved our genetic code formed while we received high sun exposure and thus high vitamin D levels. Vitamin D is a hormone that regulates many body functions, many of which we are just scratching the surface.
Mood disorders are one of the first and most visible signs of Vitamin D deficiency. If you have problems with rest/energy/mood, perhaps consider a Vitamin D test at your next checkup. Mood disorders of today may progress or manifest as chronic disease tomorrow when other contributing factors are present.
Vitamin D has outperformed Prozac or matched it in multiple clinical trials and peer reviewed scientific experiments. It is required in the synthesis of Serotonin, a neurotransmitter/hormone that influences our peace of mind and joy. Serotonin also regulates the sleep/wake cycle. We are supposed to wake with the sun and sleep when it fades into night. When the sun shines, serotonin levels increase causing us to feel more awake and alert. In the absence of sun, brain cells convert Serotonin to Melatonin, a hormone that influences brain activity and helps us sleep a deeper more restful sleep.
In my late twenties I started to feel generally off, sleepy, depressed so I started to supplement with 10,000 IU (International Units) of Vitamin D. I got a physical in the middle of summer and was tested. My doctor was surprised to see that despite supplementation and season, my levels of Vitamin D were still on the low end of what the medical community deems safe and appropriate.
Now I take 20,000 IU's of Vitamin D per day and I can feel the difference in just a few days if I don't supplement. This winter I have made it a point to lay out in the sun even when the air is chilly. As long as the sky is clear, I take an hour and make sure I get some sunlight. | |
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| Vitamin D deficiency
Posted: 2/19/2012 5:22:14 AM | | I am Vitamin D deficient. I live in NY so it get's cold and I definitely get much sun during the winter. I'm taking a supplement prescribed by my Dr. | |
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| Vitamin D deficiency
Posted: 2/20/2012 6:00:29 AM | ^^^^^^^^
Godchild..It is very common among those with dark skin esp that do not have a LOT of sun exposure and supplements are very effective.
Calcium and vitamin c will help the body absorb D better.
Do not take calcium with your multi if it has chromium or iron in it.
Take the Cal/Mag/D together but separate from the multi
I also supplement as am prone to S.A.D. in the winter.
Just 15 minutes outside a day can make a huge difference over 2 days with me in mood.
I have been thinking of a higher dose than 1000-2000 IU so those posting the greater numbers..I am happy to hear it has helped. | |
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| Vitamin D deficiency
Posted: 2/20/2012 7:27:20 AM | Peppermint.
My doctor put me on 1.25 mg (50,000 units), which I take once a week. I had no idea that vitamin c and calcium will make it absorb better. I already have vitamin c supplements, but need to get the calcium. I'm going to start taking it together. Thanks for the info!
You are right, It is common among people with dark skin, so most likely I will have to take this supplement for the rest of my life, which I frown upon because I don't like taking pills.
BTW, you need to give the recipe to having a banging body at 52 :o) Whoa I'm impressed!!!! | |
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| Vitamin D deficiency
Posted: 2/20/2012 10:05:52 AM | I use calcium/magnesium citrate Those are huge capsules/tablets.
Usually have to take 2 a day AM and PM to get a beneficial amount but its worth it.
Do not take more than 500 mgs of calcium at one time because your body cannot handle it.
Balance with magnesium.
I get the higher magnesium ratio because I get tense in my muscles ( cramps at times).
It is a pain to take supplements but we can't get all the minerals we need in food sometimes.
The soil is so depleted and many don't like or can't eat dairy.
Thank you very much.
Recipe is simple..No grains/sugar..stretch and walk.
You will rock at 52..I can tell.
Grandmother used to make hers from egg shells.
She never had that bent look to her and swore it was the egg shells and cod liver oil. | |
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| Vitamin D deficiency
Posted: 10/11/2012 7:55:51 PM | my blood calcium levels were high for a very long time ... the cardiologist noticed and told me to tell my
family practitioner ... so I did ... had to argue because SHE wanted me to take additional calcium ... I told
her my cardiologist said I had too high a blood calcium level ... she refused to look at the labs until I
insisted ... THEN she finally ordered additional blood tests ...
to make a very long story somewhat shorter, turns out I have a tumor on one of my parathyroids and that
tumor was sucking the calcium out of my bones, causing osteoporosis ... clogging my blood veins and
kidneys with the calcium I needed in my bones! ... it could be surgically removed and may have to be
some time ... first, the surgery was set for September ... now, they're saying the 1st of next year ...
endocrinologist took over, put me on 50,000 units Vitamin D for 12 weeks then another 12 weeks ... my
blood calcium levels were almost normal at the time of my last labs ... based on the results of my next blood
test, I'm anticipating a reduction in the Vitamin D ...
had I taken the calcium the family practitioner wanted me to take would have made my entire situation
very much worse ... the endocrinologist told me NOT to take calcium in any form, other than naturally
through diet ...
my endocrine system is too delicate for me to mess around, taking supplements without medical direction ...
but that's just me and my body ... | |
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| Vitamin D deficiency
Posted: 10/21/2012 5:42:49 PM |
my blood calcium levels were high for a very long time ... the cardiologist noticed and told me to tell my
family practitioner ... so I did ... had to argue because SHE wanted me to take additional calcium ... I told
her my cardiologist said I had too high a blood calcium level ... she refused to look at the labs until I
insisted ... THEN she finally ordered additional blood tests ...
to make a very long story somewhat shorter, turns out I have a tumor on one of my parathyroids and that
tumor was sucking the calcium out of my bones, causing osteoporosis ... clogging my blood veins and
kidneys with the calcium I needed in my bones! ... it could be surgically removed and may have to be
some time ... first, the surgery was set for September ... now, they're saying the 1st of next year ...
endocrinologist took over, put me on 50,000 units Vitamin D for 12 weeks then another 12 weeks ... my
blood calcium levels were almost normal at the time of my last labs ... based on the results of my next blood
test, I'm anticipating a reduction in the Vitamin D ...
had I taken the calcium the family practitioner wanted me to take would have made my entire situation
very much worse ... the endocrinologist told me NOT to take calcium in any form, other than naturally
through diet ...
my endocrine system is too delicate for me to mess around, taking supplements without medical direction ...
but that's just me and my body ...
WOW, that is amazing! So glad you got the right advice and are now making progress! I think a lot of medical people are so sure of themselves they are hard to get a second opinion thru! Good for you! | |
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| Vitamin D deficiency
Posted: 10/21/2012 8:48:42 PM | | Update it's safer to take Vitamin D2, because the body will convert to d3 as it needed while with Vitamin d3 you can over dose. | |
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| Vitamin D deficiency
Posted: 10/21/2012 11:10:08 PM | thanks, Normal Dude ...
I'm going to have another blood test in a little over a week ... then I anticipate being put on Vitamin D
at 2,000 units daily by the endorcinologist ...
I don't know what the status of the surgical removal of the tumor on my parathyroid is ... hopefully, it's
been postponed ... | |
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