The All-Encompassing Vitamin D Thread

[XTrainer]

Originally Posted by MikeMartial

Up into the wee hours posting about vitamin D, eh Vedic? When I get off shift and get home, I'll be able to add to this.

I agree, Xtrainer---Vitamin D seems like a daily topic. Based on what I've been reading and considering my northern climate, I've upped my intake to 3000IU a day. I even had my physician agree to do a 25(OH)D on me, but I'll have to wait 6 months for it.

I can't help but get a bit concerned about getting my D. I don't supplement with it, beyond what's in my multi, and this time of year in Michigan, if I am outside, I am covered head to toe. I don't supplement D right now, except for 200IU/day from my multi.

[MikeMartial]

Some links for further reading on Vitamin D:

Whole Health Source: Vitamin D: It's Not Just Another Vitamin

Just How Important Is Vitamin D? | Modern Forager

The Heart Scan Blog: “How much vitamin D should I take?” - Dr Davis states: I would rank normalizing steroid hormone-vitamin D as among the most important things you can do for your health. It should never be too much bother. And if your doctor refuses to at least discuss why he/she won’t measure it, then it’s time for a new doctor. I would rank normalizing steroid hormone-vitamin D as among the most important things you can do for your health. It should never be too much bother. And if your doctor refuses to at least discuss why he/she won’t measure it, then it’s time for a new doctor.

Animal Pharm: Physiologic Actions and Benefits of Vitamin D: CARDIOVASCULAR - Another brainiac blogger with a medical degree in pharmacology. Check the comments section for more info on 25OHD levels and supplementation needed to maintain. Robb Wolf is adding a section to his new book based of the research she's done; very much looking forward to that, as it'll obviously have implications to athletes (more than likely in the insulin sensitivity area) not just general health.

[ozzie]

Originally Posted by MikeMartial

UV rays are converted to D3; supplements are usually D3, but I've seen D2 out there, also.

What about light getting through the eye and helping with the production of serotonin? Vitamin D caps won't produce this effect right?

[byukid]

Originally Posted by ozzie

What about light getting through the eye and helping with the production of serotonin? Vitamin D caps won't produce this effect right?

not unless you stick em in your eye (NOT RECOMMENDED)

[MikeMartial]

Originally Posted by ozzie

What about light getting through the eye and helping with the production of serotonin? Vitamin D caps won't produce this effect right?

Completely unrelated as far as the hormones involved.

Sunlight--->Skin--->D3 production
Sunlight--->Eyes--->serotonin production

As far as seasonal affective disorder/depression, though, both D3 and serotonin play active roles.

[ozzie]

Originally Posted by byukid

not unless you stick em in your eye (NOT RECOMMENDED)

*points capules towards sun*
This should work.

Originally Posted by MikeMartial

Completely unrelated as far as the hormones involved.

Sunlight--->Skin--->D3 production
Sunlight--->Eyes--->serotonin production

As far as seasonal affective disorder/depression, though, both D3 and serotonin play active roles.

Thanks Mike.
edit: Thanks Vedic!

[Asherc]

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18727936?ordinalpos=&itool=EntrezSystem2 .PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Smar tSearch&log$=citationsensor

Vitamin D is looking like the next fish oil. Looks like the best whole-foods source is fish as well.

is there a particular brand of vitamin D supplements that are better than others?

[joshetc]

Thanks for the info MM. After doing some research as well I've come to the conclusion that there is nearly no possiblity of harm from taking 4,000 units/day. I'm going to try this for a few weeks and see what happens.

Apparently with exposure to sunlight, we can make over the equivalent of 10,000 units in less than an hour, so really when we're getting no sun, taking a few thousand units would be a drop in the bucket.

[fatcat669]

i live on the coast and am a fulltime student, so im lucky if i see the sun once or twice during the entire stretch of winter... it fuckin sucks and is really depressing. plus i have dark skin so im already low / at-risk for vitamin d deficiency by living in a northern climate. i've been taking 7,000IU's per day on top of my normal diet. can't say i feel much of a difference but i havent got sick yet.

[noise666]

Interesting thread for sure. So, here's a bit of my dumb ass vegan input. Personally, I have not gotten a cold that has lasted more than two days. Also, I have not had the flu in I have no idea how long. That being said, of course vegans get shit because of vitamin D deficiency.

Now, I'm not sure on how long it takes Vit.D deficiency to kick in, but I've been vegan for twelve years now, and never supplemented with anything, let alone Vitamin D. I now, however do take a multi and DHA supp.

So - question, how long does it take for the deficiency to show? Maybe, in my case - it's because I get some sun exposure, but Winter here in Michigan definitely doesn't provide much sun. Not to mention the fact that I'm computer geek and probably don't get as much sun as most people.

I'll be having a physical done in the beginning of 09 with fresh blood work and what not. I'll see if I can get my vitamin D levels checked as well :- ) I'll keep you all posted on the results.