The Magic of Vitamin D

truethat · 2nd May 2009, 02:13 AM

I have to wonder about the Big Pharma conspiracy theories out there. Especially since the swine flu is being thrown about as a pandemic when every year thousands of people die from the regular flu with much less fan fare.

I did find the last line the doctor said on here to be off putting. I'm surprised that this was passed through as an official statement.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d5nW-Nxic9s

Red3 · 2nd May 2009, 04:39 AM

Isn't the swine flu panic over the fact that it's a new strain that's spreading rather quickly, and they didn't know how it was gonna effect people?

I thought that was the reason behind the seemingly over-zealous reaction.

I've just started taking vitamin d supplements due to the lack of sun in the U.K.

Kuko 4000 · 2nd May 2009, 04:58 AM

Originally Posted by Red3

I've just started taking vitamin d supplements due to the lack of sun in the U.K.

Living in Finland, where the appearance of the sun is usually described as a UFO, I would like to know if there is any real benefits, and what they are, from taking vitamin D supplements? And also if there is a particular brand / dosage that you would recommend.

Thanks!

Red3 · 2nd May 2009, 05:15 AM

To be honest I don't know yet about benefits...Like I said I've just started taking them. The tablets I have are 400iu, but I wouldn't like to recommend anything I don't know all that much about.

I started taking it due to it's (supposed) benefit for bones as I've recently had an accident and broken a few! Which seem to be taking a while to heal. And I don't think I get enough sun.

The recommended amount seems low, although I'm far from an expert, and apparently there is a risk of soft tissue calcification with too much (which happens due to a lack of vitamin k.)

ArthurWilborn · 2nd May 2009, 02:21 PM

Research studies have shown more then once that Vitamin D supplements help with calcium absorption and can reduce the effects of osteoporosis. In one recent University study that I heard a presentation on directly from the researcher, he stated that the difference between the effective dose and the dangerous dose is so broad as to not be worth considering.

Red3 · 2nd May 2009, 04:22 PM

Originally Posted by ArthurWilborn

Research studies have shown more then once that Vitamin D supplements help with calcium absorption and can reduce the effects of osteoporosis. In one recent University study that I heard a presentation on directly from the researcher, he stated that the difference between the effective dose and the dangerous dose is so broad as to not be worth considering.

That's pretty much the same thing I've read; my mention of calcification is not that much of a worry for me, but I thought it was worth a mention... I've also read of increased protein intake being linked to calcium deficiency with regards to bone density, which may be of interest to anyone with a northern European diet.

Lisa Simpson · 2nd May 2009, 04:28 PM

You can get a blood test to determine if you have enough Vitamin D floating about in your body. I don't worry about it, but I live in Southern California and have a job that requires me to be outside.

ysabella · 2nd May 2009, 05:25 PM

I live in the Pacific Northwest, and most of my doctors have taken to checking vitamin D levels. My OB/Gyn told me that a lot of her patients have surprisingly low levels, especially in winter, and my endocrinologist tested mine last month. It was barely in the "normal" range, and I supplement with huge doses of it, at least when it isn't summer (5000 IU of D3, but I don't remember to take it every day).

Lensman · 3rd May 2009, 08:46 AM

Originally Posted by Kuko 4000

Living in Finland, where the appearance of the sun is usually described as a UFO, I would like to know if there is any real benefits, and what they are, from taking vitamin D supplements? And also if there is a particular brand / dosage that you would recommend.

Thanks!

Ricketts is a deficiency disease due to lack of Vit D, or so I've heard.

Rara · 3rd May 2009, 01:38 PM

there has also been some research that links lack of sunshine in northern climes with an increased risk of MS,but i think there was also a genetic tendency involved as well. We have a high rate of MS here in Shetland.

Sir Robin Goodfellow · 3rd May 2009, 02:42 PM

I've had it up to here with these damned rickets!

Roma · 3rd May 2009, 09:35 PM

Originally Posted by laura

there has also been some research that links lack of sunshine in northern climes with an increased risk of MS,but i think there was also a genetic tendency involved as well. We have a high rate of MS here in Shetland.

I think Manitoba has the highest concentration per capita of people with MS,
we just had the coldest and longest winter that I can remember,
several months of -50 C with windchill, no way to get enough vitamin D naturally without the risk of severe frost bite within 10 minutes.
Genetically a large portion of the settlers to this area were from the UK, Germany,and Ukraine.

politas · 3rd May 2009, 10:43 PM

I read a small piece recently about how vitamin D is created naturally with no relation at all to sunlight, and how trying to take in extra vitamin D messes up internal production. I can't find the source now, unfortunately. Has anyone else seen such an article? It was in New Scientist or Australasian Science, I think.

dann · 3rd May 2009, 10:58 PM

Originally Posted by laura

there has also been some research that links lack of sunshine in northern climes with an increased risk of MS,but i think there was also a genetic tendency involved as well. We have a high rate of MS here in Shetland.

http://www.neurology.org/cgi/content/abstract/62/1/60

Steelmage · 4th May 2009, 01:39 AM

I have a post that has a number of links for vitamin D.

Link to the post:
http://forums.randi.org/showpost.php...4&postcount=15

truethat · 4th May 2009, 01:43 PM

Ok I bought the vitamin D and am taking 6000 a day. So we'll see if I turn into a radiated ferret.

blutoski · 4th May 2009, 03:18 PM

Originally Posted by truethat

Ok I bought the vitamin D and am taking 6000 a day. So we'll see if I turn into a radiated ferret.

6,000 IUs or 6,000micrograms?

See: [hypervitaminosis D].

truethat · 4th May 2009, 03:24 PM

shoot!

wait you can get decreased appetite from Vitamin D!!!

HEY BAY BE HEEEERE I COME.

Dives in the Vitamin D bath.

Rara · 6th May 2009, 12:35 PM

thanks dann,but i was thinking of some more recent research,must have been in New scientist within the last few months (anything further back drops out of my brain)

dann · 10th May 2009, 08:22 AM

Could it have been in Scientific American or Guardian?
Vitamin D deficiency linked to more colds and flu
The great health debate: is sunshine a miracle cure?
Lack of sunshine found to trigger MS

Rara · 11th May 2009, 10:11 AM

Thanks again dann,yes last one was it. There is a big MS gene study going on in Shetland at the moment. I will check posters and see who is doing it.....bright sunshine today though

2nd May 2009, 02:13 AM	#1
truethat Philosopher Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 8,625	The Magic of Vitamin D I have to wonder about the Big Pharma conspiracy theories out there. Especially since the swine flu is being thrown about as a pandemic when every year thousands of people die from the regular flu with much less fan fare. I did find the last line the doctor said on here to be off putting. I'm surprised that this was passed through as an official statement. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d5nW-Nxic9s
truethat Philosopher Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 8,625

2nd May 2009, 04:39 AM	#2
Red3 Muse Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: South Yorkshire U.K Posts: 748	Isn't the swine flu panic over the fact that it's a new strain that's spreading rather quickly, and they didn't know how it was gonna effect people? I thought that was the reason behind the seemingly over-zealous reaction. I've just started taking vitamin d supplements due to the lack of sun in the U.K.
	Last edited by Red3; 2nd May 2009 at 04:47 AM.

2nd May 2009, 04:58 AM	#3
Kuko 4000 Graduate Poster Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Finland Posts: 1,550	Originally Posted by Red3 I've just started taking vitamin d supplements due to the lack of sun in the U.K. Living in Finland, where the appearance of the sun is usually described as a UFO, I would like to know if there is any real benefits, and what they are, from taking vitamin D supplements? And also if there is a particular brand / dosage that you would recommend. Thanks!
	__________________ Richard Dawkins: "We are all atheists about most of the gods that humanity has ever believed in. Some of us just go one god further." Pixie of key: "HOW IS YOU NOT UNDERSTANDING WHAT I AM GIVING LECTURES ON A PROBLEM."

2nd May 2009, 05:15 AM	#4
Red3 Muse Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: South Yorkshire U.K Posts: 748	To be honest I don't know yet about benefits...Like I said I've just started taking them. The tablets I have are 400iu, but I wouldn't like to recommend anything I don't know all that much about. I started taking it due to it's (supposed) benefit for bones as I've recently had an accident and broken a few! Which seem to be taking a while to heal. And I don't think I get enough sun. The recommended amount seems low, although I'm far from an expert, and apparently there is a risk of soft tissue calcification with too much (which happens due to a lack of vitamin k.)
	Last edited by Red3; 2nd May 2009 at 05:25 AM.

2nd May 2009, 02:21 PM	#5
ArthurWilborn New Blood Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 12	Research studies have shown more then once that Vitamin D supplements help with calcium absorption and can reduce the effects of osteoporosis. In one recent University study that I heard a presentation on directly from the researcher, he stated that the difference between the effective dose and the dangerous dose is so broad as to not be worth considering.
ArthurWilborn New Blood Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 12

2nd May 2009, 04:22 PM	#6
Red3 Muse Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: South Yorkshire U.K Posts: 748	Originally Posted by ArthurWilborn Research studies have shown more then once that Vitamin D supplements help with calcium absorption and can reduce the effects of osteoporosis. In one recent University study that I heard a presentation on directly from the researcher, he stated that the difference between the effective dose and the dangerous dose is so broad as to not be worth considering. That's pretty much the same thing I've read; my mention of calcification is not that much of a worry for me, but I thought it was worth a mention... I've also read of increased protein intake being linked to calcium deficiency with regards to bone density, which may be of interest to anyone with a northern European diet.
	__________________ "I want to be cremated, and I want my ashes blown in Uri Geller's eyes." - James Randi. IT'S A TRAP!

2nd May 2009, 04:28 PM	#7
Lisa Simpson THE Lisa Simpson Administrator Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: 123 Fake Street Posts: 20,046	You can get a blood test to determine if you have enough Vitamin D floating about in your body. I don't worry about it, but I live in Southern California and have a job that requires me to be outside.

2nd May 2009, 05:25 PM	#8
ysabella Muse Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Auburn, WA Posts: 705	I live in the Pacific Northwest, and most of my doctors have taken to checking vitamin D levels. My OB/Gyn told me that a lot of her patients have surprisingly low levels, especially in winter, and my endocrinologist tested mine last month. It was barely in the "normal" range, and I supplement with huge doses of it, at least when it isn't summer (5000 IU of D3, but I don't remember to take it every day).
	__________________ "The greater the ignorance, the greater the dogmatism." - Sir William Osler

3rd May 2009, 08:46 AM	#9
Lensman Graduate Poster Join Date: May 2007 Location: Caerphilly Posts: 1,411	Originally Posted by Kuko 4000 Living in Finland, where the appearance of the sun is usually described as a UFO, I would like to know if there is any real benefits, and what they are, from taking vitamin D supplements? And also if there is a particular brand / dosage that you would recommend. Thanks! Ricketts is a deficiency disease due to lack of Vit D, or so I've heard.
	__________________ When the chips are down, the buffalo is empty. I have learned that if you upset your wife, she nags you. If you upset her even more you get the silent treatment. Don't you think it's worth the extra effort?

3rd May 2009, 01:38 PM	#10
Rara Thinker Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Nort Posts: 129	there has also been some research that links lack of sunshine in northern climes with an increased risk of MS,but i think there was also a genetic tendency involved as well. We have a high rate of MS here in Shetland.

3rd May 2009, 02:42 PM	#11
Sir Robin Goodfellow Master Poster Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Estevan (wear da fox hat) Posts: 2,751	I've had it up to here with these damned rickets!

3rd May 2009, 09:35 PM	#12
Roma Master Poster Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Winnipeg, Canada Posts: 2,061	Originally Posted by laura there has also been some research that links lack of sunshine in northern climes with an increased risk of MS,but i think there was also a genetic tendency involved as well. We have a high rate of MS here in Shetland. I think Manitoba has the highest concentration per capita of people with MS, we just had the coldest and longest winter that I can remember, several months of -50 C with windchill, no way to get enough vitamin D naturally without the risk of severe frost bite within 10 minutes. Genetically a large portion of the settlers to this area were from the UK, Germany,and Ukraine.
	__________________ I only know what I want to know.

3rd May 2009, 10:43 PM	#13
politas Pirate King Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Australia Posts: 1,081	I read a small piece recently about how vitamin D is created naturally with no relation at all to sunlight, and how trying to take in extra vitamin D messes up internal production. I can't find the source now, unfortunately. Has anyone else seen such an article? It was in New Scientist or Australasian Science, I think.
	__________________ Myk Rational Capital Podcast

3rd May 2009, 10:58 PM	#14
dann Master Poster Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Frederiksberg (Copenhagen) Posts: 2,921	Originally Posted by laura there has also been some research that links lack of sunshine in northern climes with an increased risk of MS,but i think there was also a genetic tendency involved as well. We have a high rate of MS here in Shetland. http://www.neurology.org/cgi/content/abstract/62/1/60
	__________________ /dann "Stupidity renders itself invisible by assuming very large proportions. Completely unreasonable claims are irrefutable. Ni-en-leh pointed out that a philosopher might get into trouble by claiming that two times two makes five, but he does not risk much by claiming that two times two makes shoe polish." B. Brecht "The abolition of religion as the illusory happiness of the people is required for their real happiness. The demand to give up the illusion about its condition is the demand to give up a condition which needs illusions." K. Marx

4th May 2009, 01:39 AM	#15
Steelmage Muse Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Scottsdale, AZ Posts: 630	I have a post that has a number of links for vitamin D. Link to the post: http://forums.randi.org/showpost.php...4&postcount=15
	__________________ Anything makes sense as long as you do not think about it. -Steelmage It is better to want what you can't have then to have what you don't want. -Denny Crane, Boston Legal

4th May 2009, 01:43 PM	#16
truethat Philosopher Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 8,625	Ok I bought the vitamin D and am taking 6000 a day. So we'll see if I turn into a radiated ferret.
truethat Philosopher Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 8,625

4th May 2009, 03:18 PM	#17
blutoski Philosopher Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Vancouver BC Canada Posts: 5,966	Originally Posted by truethat Ok I bought the vitamin D and am taking 6000 a day. So we'll see if I turn into a radiated ferret. 6,000 IUs or 6,000micrograms? See: [hypervitaminosis D].
	__________________ "Sometimes it's better to light a flamethrower than curse the darkness." - Terry Pratchett

4th May 2009, 03:24 PM	#18
truethat Philosopher Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 8,625	shoot! wait you can get decreased appetite from Vitamin D!!! HEY BAY BE HEEEERE I COME. Dives in the Vitamin D bath.
truethat Philosopher Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 8,625

6th May 2009, 12:35 PM	#19
Rara Thinker Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Nort Posts: 129	thanks dann,but i was thinking of some more recent research,must have been in New scientist within the last few months (anything further back drops out of my brain)

10th May 2009, 08:22 AM	#20
dann Master Poster Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Frederiksberg (Copenhagen) Posts: 2,921	Could it have been in Scientific American or Guardian? Vitamin D deficiency linked to more colds and flu The great health debate: is sunshine a miracle cure? Lack of sunshine found to trigger MS
	__________________ /dann "Stupidity renders itself invisible by assuming very large proportions. Completely unreasonable claims are irrefutable. Ni-en-leh pointed out that a philosopher might get into trouble by claiming that two times two makes five, but he does not risk much by claiming that two times two makes shoe polish." B. Brecht "The abolition of religion as the illusory happiness of the people is required for their real happiness. The demand to give up the illusion about its condition is the demand to give up a condition which needs illusions." K. Marx

11th May 2009, 10:11 AM	#21
Rara Thinker Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Nort Posts: 129	Thanks again dann,yes last one was it. There is a big MS gene study going on in Shetland at the moment. I will check posters and see who is doing it.....bright sunshine today though