Fawn....or anyone who knows about being Vitamin D deficient....

[lisabinil]

Low Vitamin D levels also go hand in hand with thyroid problems and sometimes adrenal problems. Sometimes when one hormone is off it causes a cascade effect in the body and other hormones are off as well.

[Stevie Renee]

Originally Posted by Cyndal

Did your doctor say how much vitamin d to take?

I was told to take a vitamin d that is in a gel form. I take Finest Natural Vitamin D from Walgreens, purchased when they're buy one get one free, so the price isn't bad since I take quite a few - 8,000 units a day.

Cynthia

Same here - gel or oil based. I take 4000 a day because I am low as well.

[Stevie Renee]

Here is a cardio doc who tracks Vit D - and theuse of tablets vs oil based
Sunday, February 15, 2009
What vitamin D form?

In response to questions regarding why don't vitamin D tablets work, here are my observations.

When I first started correcting vitamin D levels around 3 1/2 years ago, people would begin with starting 25-hydroxy vitamin D blood levels of around 20 ng/ml.

Taking, say, 6000 units vitamin D as tablets over 3 months yielded blood levels of 24-30 ng/ml. Taking 6000 units in an oil-based form, and blood levels would commonly be 60-70 ng/ml.

In other words, tablets are very poorly absorbed. I also saw very erratic absorption with tablets, with tremendous variation in blood levels.

I witnessed this effect many times. I finally began telling patients to avoid the tablets altogether. It's simply not worth it. Taking dose X of tablets, you cannot predict what the blood level of vitamin D will be.

Now, you can sometimes make the tablets get absorbed by either taking with a teaspoon of oil (e.g., olive, flaxseed) or taking with an oil-rich meal. However, I am uncertain just how consistent the absorption is under these circumstances, not having done this enough times to know.

Oil-filled gelcaps are no more expensive than tablets (or perhaps a dollar more). Health food store employees and pharmacists don't know this. I have had many patients come to the office claiming they changed to tablets because that's all their health food store or pharmacy carried and the person behind the counter assured them it was the same. Blood level of vitamin D to confirm: right back down to the starting level or near it--little or no absorption.

The only way to know whether a preparation is absorbed is to check a blood level. But, in my experience, having checked vitamin D blood levels thousands of times, gelcaps never fail; tablets fail over 80% of the time.

[Stevie Renee]

Originally Posted by emmyjane

I like that site too! I have taken what they recommend- 5,000 iu/day for the last 4 weeks, and WOW. I haven't felt this "good" (mentally, physically, etc.) in 20 years! It's almost as if I "feel" sunnier taking Vitamin D.

Anyhow, my sister had a similar effect from taking Vit. D.

I take store brand (Meijer) Natural softgels, Vitamin D-3 as Cholecalciferol.

Cool!

So here is what Dr Davis said about the sun, age, etc..

[COLOR="Red"]Your skin can also make vitamin D using sunlight — you need about a half hour of exposure to the midday sun twice a week.[/COLOR]
[COLOR="red"][COLOR="Blue"]Nope. This might be true for a young person below age 30 in a southern environment. It is NOT true for the majority of people in northern climates and anyone over age 30 or 40, since we lose most of the capacity to activate vitamin D in the skin as we age. A deep, dark Florida tan does not necessarily mean that vitamin D has been activated. See A tan does not equal vitamin D. Here in Wisconsin, where, despite this darn cold winter, does enjoy wonderfully warm and beautiful summers, the average vitamin D dose need ranges from 4000-8000 units per day in summer, slightly more in winter. [/COLOR][/COLOR]

[Melrose]

I am Vit D deficient and my doctor recommended 1000 (IU measurement, I think) of Vit D a day, in addition to trying to get natural sunlight. I don't know if it helps or not.

barbara

[SashimiMark]

If you go to the Weston A Price Foundation there is a lot of information about Vitamin D and Cod Liver Oil, as well as recommended brands.

[wifezilla]

I beg to differ. The sun is not our enemy, even if you live at the equator. I would not go from being inside most of the time for several years to 8 hours continuous exposure but if a person is used to the sun, sunscreen is absolutely unnecessary and many of them with their chemicals are quite dangerous over time.

Exactly. One of the most dangerous chemicals is the mineral oil found in many sunscreens and in most lotions.
"a study was published in Journal of Investigative Dermatology stating that some skin moisturizers may increase the chances of getting a type of skin cancer called squamous cell carcinoma.

The mechanism behind the cancer inducing effects of moisturizers are unknown, and the carcinogenic ingredient(s) are also undiscovered. But scientists suspect mineral oil and sodium laurel sulphate, two common additives in moisturizers.

Interestingly, Rutgers and Johnson & Johnson have already come up with a patented kind of moisturizer that contain no mineral oil or sodium laurel sulphate.

As reported in Rutger's local newspaper, the Hackensack, NJ-based Record (and for some reason available online via the Tulsa World):
Moisturizers may speed skin cancer in reformed sunbathers, even years after giving up on tanning, according to a Rutgers University study of mice.

Four different brands of moisturizing creams caused tumors to form faster and larger in hairless mice that had been pretreated with ultraviolet radiation, the Rutgers researchers reported Thursday in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology.

"We don't know what happens in humans," said Alan Conney, who led the study. "But this is a red light saying there should be some epidemiological study in human populations." "
Rutgers OTR: According to Rutgers, Moisturizing Could Lead to Skin Cancer
Cancer from mineral oil.

As for the calculator...my bad. THIS is the link I meant to add...
VitD-ez Easy Duration of Vitamin D Synthesis in Human Skin
(You will need to look up your longitude and latitude...it is targeted more towards Europe on the drop down locations)

One of the things that repairs skin cells in the body is vitamin C. What uses the same pathways in the body as vitamin C? Glucose. If you are eating a diet high in carbs, you are destroying your bodies ability to use vitamin c properly.

So, following the food pyramid while following government recommendations to use sun screen and stay out of the sun does the following...

• Depletes your vitamin D levels which INCREASES your risk of cancer
• Depletes your body of vitamin C which repairs any sun damage
• Increases you cancer risk because of ingredients in the sun screen
• Makes you much more likely to burn in the few instance you DO get sun exposure

On a personal note, last January I started taking 2000IU of D3. When Spring/Summer came around, I vowed to not use sun screen anymore. For the first time in over 20 years I DID NOT BURN! Since my blood level of vitamin D wasn't pathetically low, my body did not have a need to let in every single sun ray in a desperate attempt to make some vitamin D. I actually had a bit of a glow. No, I don't tan since I am a pasty white chick and that isn't my goal, but I had some COLOR and I no longer had to be afraid of the sun!!!

[Stevie Renee]

Originally Posted by wifezilla

On a personal note, last January I started taking 2000IU of D3. When Spring/Summer came around, I vowed to not use sun screen anymore. For the first time in over 20 years I DID NOT BURN! Since my blood level of vitamin D wasn't pathetically low, my body did not have a need to let in every single sun ray in a desperate attempt to make some vitamin D. I actually had a bit of a glow. No, I don't tan since I am a pasty white chick and that isn't my goal, but I had some COLOR and I no longer had to be afraid of the sun!!!

Wow, I have never heard of that. Not getting burned I mean. Thats cool

[wifezilla]

It surprised the heck out of me!!!

I used to burst in to flames after being out in the sun for 5 minutes. Hell, I used to burn to a crisp WHILE using spf 50+!!!

(You still do not want to burn but I use a barrier now...like clear zinc oxide or a hat.)

[NoSugarShell]

Do tanning beds help with Vitamin D levels?

[SashimiMark]

Only UV-B beds.

[Shimmerfly]

Originally Posted by KajunDC

I beg to differ. The sun is not our enemy, even if you live at the equator. I would not go from being inside most of the time for several years to 8 hours continuous exposure but if a person is used to the sun, sunscreen is absolutely unnecessary and many of them with their chemicals are quite dangerous over time.

Okey dokey ...

[NurseShannon]

I jsut read an artical that said that there is a widespread Vitamin D deficiency and they were afraid that it would make ppl think that its okay to go to the tanning bed.

I tan 3 days a week.

[dawnyama]

KajunDC

I have been going without sunscreen for the past 2 summers (or it could be 3!) and have been fine. I don't go from the winter and being indoors to going out for 8 hours either--that is just crazy like you stated. I do use coconut oil as my "sunscreen" and it has helped me not burn and I am the type that burns very easily and then fades to white again. Anyhoo, I do gradually increase my time outside so I don't have the huge 3 hours and a burn after. I stand outside for the bus when my kids get home and that is about 10 minutes a day until I have a good base. That is why I am surprised I have a deficiency--but I guess it is because I am a hermit when it comes to winter!!! No tanning bed for me.

[jenna...]

Originally Posted by dawnyama

KajunDC

I have been going without sunscreen for the past 2 summers (or it could be 3!) and have been fine. I don't go from the winter and being indoors to going out for 8 hours either--that is just crazy like you stated. I do use coconut oil as my "sunscreen" and it has helped me not burn and I am the type that burns very easily and then fades to white again. Anyhoo, I do gradually increase my time outside so I don't have the huge 3 hours and a burn after. I stand outside for the bus when my kids get home and that is about 10 minutes a day until I have a good base. That is why I am surprised I have a deficiency--but I guess it is because I am a hermit when it comes to winter!!! No tanning bed for me.

My doctor said in order not to have a deficiency you'd have to spend hours in the sun with minimum clothing

I take 5000 units a day. My doctor does a blood test and says I was doing great earlier this year. I just finished a new set of blood tests and will post how my levels are going.

[aim in Fla*working]

I will try Calrson's cod liver oil now THanks!

[shapeup1]

Originally Posted by wifezilla

Exactly. One of the most dangerous chemicals is the mineral oil found in many sunscreens and in most lotions.
"a study was published in Journal of Investigative Dermatology stating that some skin moisturizers may increase the chances of getting a type of skin cancer called squamous cell carcinoma.!

Isn't mineral oil the same as baby oil? Let me look it up.. .Yes it is.....

If you google it ...it shows that there are different grades of mineral oil....and diffrent opinions. I'm not sure that if baby oil gave you cancer there wouldn't be a big outcry about it....?

[fawn]

Originally Posted by Chantel

I like this site..
Vitamin D Council | Understanding Vitamin D Cholecalciferol

Do you know your vit d levels?

The Vitamin D council is good. I enjoy that page. You will also see that even they don't know exactly how much is enough.

On the tanning bed comment? That's not true. If you check out Mercolas site, there are registered tanning salons. Mine just transferred out all of his lights. there's a lot of information coming in on this as well and I don't have time at this moment to site but there's a Dr. in my area with studies....I'll find them later.

I just bought my own bed yesterday. Found a deal I could not pass up.

Carlsons Cod Liver Oil lemon Amy with 500 DHA is what I recommend and
Vitamin D3 if you feel the need. Talk to your Dr. and see what your number is.

[Stevie Renee]

Originally Posted by jenna...

My doctor said in order not to have a deficiency you'd have to spend hours in the sun with minimum clothing

I take 5000 units a day. My doctor does a blood test and says I was doing great earlier this year. I just finished a new set of blood tests and will post how my levels are going.

Pls do Jenna. I would be curious. What was your starting level? Mine was 43. I will get another test some day. lol

[DiamondDeb]

I live in Florida & I am Vitamin D deficient. So is my Mom. I use Carlson DDrops 2000IU.

It is difficult for most people to get D from the sun. I read a lot about it when I was first diagnosed.

[wifezilla]

Also, the older you get, the more trouble your body has creating vitamin D...

Add to that if you are overweight, your circulating levels of D are often reduced because it gets trapped in your fat cells.

[Eden7]

Green Pastures cod liver oil is an excellent source of D and A. Their web site is: [url=http://www.greenpasture.org]
They are recommended by the Weston A Price Foundation.
Another good source of Vitamin D are pasture raised eggs. If you can find a local farmer around that lets their chickens range outside a bit the eggs will be very nutritious.
Good luck!
Eden

[wifezilla]

Don't forget pastured duck eggs too

[JONAH'S GRANNY]

I was told a couple of weeks ago about my low Vitamin D. It is only 13. It was the first time I can remember being tested for it in a long time. I had gone to a new doctor for thyroid treatment. She said I didn't have a thyroid problem, my D was in the pits.

I've been taking 4000 units per day along with Calcium and Magnesium. They are supposed to work together for the best effect. Anyway, I am already feeling better.

[fawn]

Originally Posted by wifezilla

Also, the older you get, the more trouble your body has creating vitamin D...

Add to that if you are overweight, your circulating levels of D are often reduced because it gets trapped in your fat cells.

Let's also not forget the darker the pigment of the skin, the more likely you are vitamin D deficient.

[Blood Sugar 101]

It is not possible to get enough sun in most US latitudes at this time of year to produce Vitamin D because of the angle of the sun.

Dr. Davis over at The Heart Scan Blog says that after years of supplementing Vitamin D for his patients he has found that the only effective form is the Vitamin D oil capsules.
He suggests 5 IU a day, if I recall correctly.

There isn't enough in the cod liver oil and other fish oils to be useful.

I've been using the supermarket Vitamin D oil capsules and had my levels checked after 6 months. They work great.

[JONAH'S GRANNY]

Originally Posted by aim in Fla*working

I will try Calrson's cod liver oil now THanks!

Me too.

[aim in Fla*working]

Originally Posted by fawn

The Vitamin D council is good. I enjoy that page. You will also see that even they don't know exactly how much is enough.

On the tanning bed comment? That's not true. If you check out Mercolas site, there are registered tanning salons. Mine just transferred out all of his lights. there's a lot of information coming in on this as well and I don't have time at this moment to site but there's a Dr. in my area with studies....I'll find them later.

I just bought my own bed yesterday. Found a deal I could not pass up.

[COLOR="Red"]Carlsons Cod Liver Oil lemon Amy with 500 DHA is what I recommend and
Vitamin D3 if you feel the need. Talk to your Dr. and see what your number is[/COLOR].

32 and the lowest range on the bloodwork was 33?? I also have love Vit. b12 so I have had a Myer's IV and I have to have 8 treatments. I had one yesterday and feel no different. As far a s Cod liver oil...doesn't that have vitamin d in it? Thank you Fawn

[aim in Fla*working]

Originally Posted by Blood Sugar 101

It is not possible to get enough sun in most US latitudes at this time of year to produce Vitamin D because of the angle of the sun.

Dr. Davis over at The Heart Scan Blog says that after years of supplementing Vitamin D for his patients he has found that the only effective form is the Vitamin D oil capsules.
He suggests 5 IU a day, if I recall correctly.

There isn't enough in the cod liver oil and other fish oils to be useful.

I've been using the supermarket Vitamin D oil capsules and had my levels checked after 6 months. They work great.

Can you PM me what you take? I cannto spend another penny on something that is not productive.

[jenna...]

Originally Posted by aim in Fla*working

32 and the lowest range on the bloodwork was 33?? I also have love Vit. b12 so I have had a Myer's IV and I have to have 8 treatments. I had one yesterday and feel no different. As far a s Cod liver oil...doesn't that have vitamin d in it? Thank you Fawn

I had a cycle of B12 shots and honestly I felt no different either.

Upping my vitamin D3 did make a difference and my body just felt much better. I've been taking a page from Dr. Eades and popping a 50,000 unit Vitamin D3 when I've been around people with colds and it's kept me going this winter.