Vitamin D deficiency

[theshedman]

Hi, why is it that every where on TV they keep talking about vitamin D deficiency. I thought that it came from the sun and some food products. For years now they have been telling us to stay out of the sun and slap on loads of sunscreen to block out the rays from the sun and now they are saying that we need to take vitamins because we don't get enough vitamin D from our diets and lifestyle. This is with out saying directly that we need more sunlight. In my way of thinking and I may be wrong if we were to lead a normal life and go out in the sun without overdoing it wouldn't that be enough without having to take extra suppliments.

[pastafreak]

Sqad - from this article - http://www.telegraph....enough-vitamin-D.html

>For at least half the year, sunshine in Britain lacks the UVB rays to produce any vitamin D at all. As we cannot store sufficient amounts in our bodies to see us through the winter and spring, we rely on dietary sources which produce at most 10 per cent of our requirements; and even then only with a diet rich in sources like oily fish.<

[cazzz1975]

I do get fed up with oily fish being the sole supplier of such a lot of nutrients, I am allergic to fish and seafood, what do people like me eat instead?

[ummmm]

Supplements :-)

[cazzz1975]

the ones that dont work and are a complete con?? ;)

[pastafreak]

Supplements...

;-0

*pasta runs>>>>>>>*

[cazzz1975]

lol! :)

[ummmm]

They do work. Just some are a con.

Iron
Folic acid
Vit D

All can be essential.

[Sqad]

.\\\ But some experts are questioning whether in grey, wintry Britain we can ever get enough of this valuable nutrient from sunshine alone and are arguing the case for everyone to take supplements.\\\\

and SOME experts disagree.

\\ 'We do not have the data as yet that proves there is a problem that can be solved by giving people pills,’ says Dr Michie. 'Until we do have that data, we can’t make safe recommendations.’\\\

An interesting article pasta, but filled with medical controversy.

[pastafreak]

A lot of science and medicine does seem to be filled with controversy,Sqad. ;-)

[Sqad]

pasta......but only the "controversial" bits..................;-)

[slaney]

Sqad - I disagree that getting out into the fresh air for 20 mins a day in the winter is enough. That may be so in your climes, but you could run around stark naked in Glasgow in the winter (not to be recommended!) and still not get enough vitamin D - there's just not enough UV light.
Review article here - not sure the link will work..

http://www.bmj.com/content/340/bmj.b5664.full

I too used to be firmly of the opinion that a good mixed diet and fresh air/sunshine was enough, but 16 months ago had a blood vitamin D level done as part of a national trial, and much to my indignation had low (deficient rather than insufficient) levels.

Anecdotal I know, but since taking supplements I have not had the usual winter weariness. And yes, I realise this could be placebo effect as well.

Having read up about it , I think there is a good case for supplementing milk and orange juice with vitamin D here as they do in other countries.

[Sqad]

slaney....thanks for the interesting link......I bow to greater knowledge ;-)

[slaney]

Gee! :o)

[theshedman]

Hi slaney, I know there will be cases where there is a health issue that means you may need extra vitamins of some kind including vit D, but as things like rickets in children and other stuff are on the increase maybe a lot of it is to do with our lifestyles. Rickets has been almost at zero in this country since around the 40s, now 60 years on and it's back and cases seem to be getting higher.

[ummmm]

Computer games and internet....supermarkets and cars.

[237SJ]

Personally I think it`s as much about diet than it is about sunlight. I believe that vitamin D helps the body uptake calcium but if the calcium isn`t there in the diet in the first place, the vitamin D`s not going to do an awful lot. Everybody`s been told to limit fat in their diet and have cut down on a lot of dairy products. They say rickets can cause "bow legs" I see quite a lot of bow-legged people in the Far East (especially Japan) where they are famed for not eating dairy. They get plenty of sunshine too.

[slaney]

Hi theshedman - I agree with your general argument that we and children especially should get out in the fresh air a bit more, but if we were to stop using sunblock, even some of the time, there would be undoubtedly an increase in skin cancers.

Those at risk of vitamin D deficiency need not have specific health issues, and make up a fair percentage of the population - babies, those with pigmented skin, the elderly etc, so it's easier to give vitamin D.

A recent nationwide survey in the UK showed that more than 50% of the adult population have insufficient levels of vitamin D and that 16% have severe deficiency during winter and spring. Just going out in the sun a bit more in the winter would be unlikely to make all that much difference.

[ummmm]

The risk of skin cancer is very small.

[pastafreak]

Low levels of vitamin D are also associated with MS and Parkinsons, and some new research is hinting that it may reduce the risk of cancer,type 2 diabetes,and heart disease.
Funny how diabetes for one,is on the up.

[pastafreak]

True,ummmm. If 15-30 minutes per day in high summer is the recommendation,then as long as you don't burn,the risk is negligible.