Vitamin D

[LeanAndHungry]

How can I get Vitamin D? I can't get enough sunshine as I work in an office setting the whole time the sun is up high enough in the sky. I have a NOW brand Vitamin D/Cacium/Magnesium supplement I take, but I'd rather get it from food. Can I take cod liver oil? Obviously that is not vegan, but it might be raw? I would think the benefits of quality cod liver oil would outweigh the potential negatives. Thoughts?

[Rawmommie]

The sun is the best way. Taking vitamin D really isn't effective b/c the sunlight actually makes YOU produce it. SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) is said to be caused by lack of vitamin D. Many winters if I start feeling down I will go to a tanning center once a week and it really helps. There are some people that will disagree with this though and prefer only the real thing. I figure it's better than nothing and it feels right for me, so that's what I choose to do. :)

[Guydiane]

I agree with going to the tannining booth several years ago we moved to oregon from California. I got so moody my doctor told me to go to a tanning booth for 10 minute once aweek when no sun was out it helped alot

[Revvell]

There are lights you can get so you can save your tanning booth money and not indulge in cod liver oil (which is probably highly processed and I woud say certainly not raw).

As of this writing, Gaiam has them on sale here: http://www.gaiam.com/retail/product.asp?product_id=08-0330

R.

[wyjoz]

Comment by Dr Mercola on tanning booths: http://www.mercola.com/2004/apr/3/vitamin_d_grant.htm
6. Is there an alternative to sun exposure that you feel would give the same benefits in terms of vitamin D?

The two viable options are artificial UVB and supplements. If visiting an indoor tanning salon, be sure to ask for the booth with the highest UVB (280-315 nm) to UVA (315-400 nm) ratio since only UVB produces vitamin D. UVA is useful in producing a browner tan.

Dr. Mercola's Comment: While sun tanning booths can clearly increase one’s UVB exposure it does come with some risks. There are X-rays emitted from the ends of the bulbs so ideally lead tape should be wrapped around the bulb ends. Additionally the magnetic ballast that provides the current to the fluorescent bulbs emits high levels of EMF radiation that is likely linked to certain cancers. Because of these conditions I would strongly advise against nearly all commercial sun tanning booths. However, if the above criteria are met then they should be fine, because the actual light and UV exposure from the bulbs is relatively safe if applied with wisdom and caution.

[wyjoz]

One more statement on Vit D http://www.mercola.com/2004/apr/3/vitamin_d_grant.htm

Is it possible for the body to store enough vitamin D from summer sun exposure to last through several months of winter?

Vitamin D is stored in the blood for a few weeks and in the fat for a few months. Serum 25(OH)D levels generally drop by 20 percent to 30 percent during winter in midlatitudes [21] and the prevalence of hypovitaminosis D increases markedly [22]. Low winter/springtime serum 25(OH)D levels are associated with the development of a number of autoimmune diseases (e.g., autism [23] and type 1 diabetes mellitus [24]) and schizophrenia [25]; cancer detection increases in winter/spring as well [26]).

Robsahm et al., 2004

[Sharon in Colorado]

Meteor would it not be a hoot if you bought one of those Sharper Image (or likewise) sunlights and had your shades on at your desk. People walking by would be like "o-kaaay".

[Autumn]

A friend of mine that suffers from SAD (the seasonal disorder, not the diet), has one of those sunlamps and it works absolute *wonders* for her. I can actually tell over the phone within ONE MINUTE, and I am 1100 miles away, if she's used her lamp that day. The difference is like night and day! (No pun intended! :D)

[Helen Of Tennessee]

Hi Meteor,

I've done this before, maybe you can do this?

On my lunch hour I would sit out in my van with the driver's side facing the sun. I would open my window, and even in the winter I would have my heater blowing, and get the sun rays on my face, neck, arms and hands.

I think I had read that you only really need about 15 minutes of sun a day, so I figure if I spent 1/2 hour out there it would take care of the cloudy/raining days (although I hear you can still get Vit. D through the clouds).

Also, even if the sun is just coming up or going down, you can still benefit form it.

Here are some great articles on the sun:

The sun, my dear old brother
http://www.webspanish-english.com/realnews/Issue14.htm#sun

Sunlight Actually Prevents Cancer
Cancer journal - Dr William Grant
http://www.mercola.com/2002/apr/3/sun_prevents_cancer.htm

The Importance of Sunlight and Vitamin D
http://sunlightandvitamind.com/

The Healing Power of Sunlight and Vitamin D: an exclusive interview with Dr. Michael Holick
http://www.truthpublishing.com/MichaelHolick.html
(free download)

Critics Now Accept the Sun as Your Healthiest Source of Vitamin D
http://www.mercola.com/2005/jun/7/sun_vitamind.htm

Learn Why the Myth of the Sun Causing Skin Cancer Can Hurt Your Health
http://www.mercola.com/2002/jun/19/sun.htm

<>< Helen of Tennessee

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