How much vitamin D do I need to take?

[NoiseBoy]

FWIW, you can also make yourself a pretty decent amount of Vitamin D just by getting a good dose of lunchtime sunshine. Not measurable, but not insignificant either.

But not during the winter months, at least not in the Midwest. I take 5000IU daily during the fall and winter but slack off during warmer weather as I try to spend a fair amount of time outdoors. I am on the fence about the health effects of taking extra Vitamin D, but the pills are cheap and easy to swallow.

 

[braumeister]

But not during the winter months, at least not in the Midwest.

The only real study I'm familiar with says the same thing.

Except during the summer months, the skin makes little if any vitamin D from the sun at latitudes above 37 degrees north (in the United States, the shaded region in the map) or below 37 degrees south of the equator. People who live in these areas are at relatively greater risk for vitamin D deficiency.

 

[Aerides]

I live in S. Fla and spend far too much time in the sun. And yet I ride along the low 30's on vitamin D no matter what month the calendar says it is.

So, to anyone saying "got sun, don't need" make sure you are backing that up with your personal blood test results as it might not be true for your personally.

That's why I try to take 2 of the costco gel D's every day.

 

[sengsational]

Emphasis added.

Issues as far as certain molecules may be the bio-availability of the form administered, whether co-factors are necessary to optimize results, the base health of the recipient (are they deficient/ are they able to process / utilize the tested molecule, do they have all other factors allowing them to optimize the use of the molecule), the quality of the study (dose, time, matching controls, etc.)

Yes, all of that stuff Certainly the studies taking a cohort from significantly deficient to "in range" is often what gets people on board. Then, that gets extended to people who eat good and get sun, so aren't at the same starting point. It's this tendency to extrapolate beyond the proof that seems to be why the health effects didn't always follow the surge in supplementation.

Again, not trying to talk anyone out of taking vitamin D. It's cheap and probably doesn't have any downside risk, but we are kind of guinea pigs.

 

[badatmath]

The only real study I'm familiar with says the same thing.



View attachment 54268

Pretty cool map. I took a walk in the sun today and took my costco vitamin d but heck I'm already tired of the pills and forgetting them. . .

 

[FIREchief]

Taking Vitamin D pills is a whole lot healthier than spending time in the sun. Just sayin...

 

[sengsational]

How many medical studies are "just sayin" about? I presume you are speaking from some informed position concerning melanoma risk?

Relationship between sun exposure and melanoma risk for tumours in different body sites in a large case-control study in a temperate climate - PMC

A melanoma case-control study was conducted to elucidate the complex relationship between sun exposure and risk. 960 population-ascertained cases, 513 population and 174 sibling controls recruited in England provided detailed sun exposure and ...

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

That article doesn't lead me to dive away from the sun. Do you have a more convincing one?

Here's a link to an article referencing some studies about positive health effects of sun exposure: Sunlight: Optimize Health and Immunity (Light Therapy and Melatonin) - Medcram Blog That's from an MD and practicing clinician. He's got videos on YouTube for training medical professionals under the "MedCram" moniker. Several are about positive effects of sunlight and being outside.

 

[reneeh63]

How many medical studies are "just sayin" about? I presume you are speaking from some informed position concerning melanoma risk?

Relationship between sun exposure and melanoma risk for tumours in different body sites in a large case-control study in a temperate climate - PMC

A melanoma case-control study was conducted to elucidate the complex relationship between sun exposure and risk. 960 population-ascertained cases, 513 population and 174 sibling controls recruited in England provided detailed sun exposure and ...

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

That article doesn't lead me to dive away from the sun. Do you have a more convincing one?

Here's a link to an article referencing some studies about positive health effects of sun exposure: Sunlight: Optimize Health and Immunity (Light Therapy and Melatonin) - Medcram Blog That's from an MD and practicing clinician. He's got videos on YouTube for training medical professionals under the "MedCram" moniker. Several are about positive effects of sunlight and being outside.

...and he makes just as many (if not more) references to "light therapy"...:
"He refers to this study on the efficacy of light therapy in the treatment of mood disorders, and this study that supports the efficacy of midday bright light therapy for bipolar depression. He then mentions this article which covers the positive effects of artificial dawn and morning blue light on daytime cognitive performance, well-being, cortisol, and melatonin levels."

Doesn't have to be sunlight and the accompanying radiation to get many of the benefits of "light". I've had SAD for as long as I can remember - adding skylights and replacing heavy window treatments with translucent shades make a huge difference, as well as sitting in front of high lumen lights for a half hour in the morning. No skin damaging direct sunlight necessary. Vitamin D3 for the rest of the healthy effects.

 

[FIREchief]

I presume you are speaking from some informed position concerning melanoma risk?

Do you have a more convincing one?

Yes. I have had melanoma. Is that enough? I wouldn't wish that trauma on anybody. Cool?

 

[sengsational]

Yes. I have had melanoma. Is that enough? I wouldn't wish that trauma on anybody. Cool?

I imagine that was no fun. I have a history of sporadic sunburn, as I imagine most of us do, because the danger wasn't known and disseminated when we were younger. If I knew what I know now, I would guide my younger self to protect my skin, my hearing, lots of stuff. I've had suspicious moles removed, no big deal, but if you let one go, it becomes a very big deal.

 

[latexman]

Yes. I have had melanoma. Is that enough? I wouldn't wish that trauma on anybody. Cool?

Me too. First time/scare in 2005. Since then, I get a full body scan by my dermatologist at a frequency he/she recommends, but at least once a year. Lately I’ve been using a Mohs surgery skin center. With skin cancer, prevention and early treatment is essential! 70 SPF Neutrogena, wide brim hats, long sleeve shirts, and long pants are my friends!

I hope you do something similar.

 

[FIREchief]

Me too. First time/scare in 2005. Since then, I get a full body scan by my dermatologist at a frequency he/she recommends, but at least once a year. Lately I’ve been using a Mohs surgery skin center. With skin cancer, prevention and early treatment is essential! 70 SPF Neutrogena, wide brim hats, long sleeve shirts, and long pants are my friends!

I hope you do something similar.

Absolutely. Fortunately, my melanoma was completely removed. How do I know this? Because it was over 40 years ago and dermatologists constantly confirm that if it wasn't, I would be dead long ago. Mid-twenties and visiting a new PCP. I asked about a spot on my arm. He told me to stay put. A while later he returned with a dermatologist who worked in the same building. Long story short? They didn't let me leave before taking a core out of my arm and putting in stitches. This was a spot about 1/8" in diameter. Before the first stitches were ready to be removed, they had me back to excise more flesh. That one left a scar to this day with about a half dozen stitches on the surface and five dissolving stiches deeper in. All I knew about melanoma was from reading the brochures in the doctors office while waiting for the second procedure. They scared the crap out of me, leading me to believe that I was on the road to near term death. Most aggressive form of cancer known to man.

So yes, like you I avoid the sun at all costs. Dermatologist at least once a year and I have his bat-phone number to get in immediately if I'm scared. I've only used that once. Fortunately, it was a false alarm. He's very thorough. Looks down my throat and looks up my.....address. (sorry, Benny Hill). I've had so many things cut off in the name of caution over the decades that there isn't much left to examine. Long hair. Wide rim hat. SPF50 long sleeved swim shirts. 50SPF on any remaining exposed skin.

So, I'll repeat my original point. If a person needs to increase Vitamin D, take the dang pills and stay the heck out of the sun! Unfortunately, even family members may not listen to us. All we can do is try.

 

[Flyfish1]

My wife just bought some Prevagen for us and I was surprised to see that it has 50 mcg of Vit D , or 2000 IU. You can take too much of the stuff, so just look at the other supplements as well.

 

[badatmath]

As expected doctor's staff intercepted my message and dismissed it as doc its out of office . . . like the question could not be answered when they returned?

All this sun talk reminded me how many hours I spent in tanning beds when I was young. . .. . . little did I know I was frying myself . . . no issues yet but I'm sure my skin would be nicer without the damage.