I've been taking 5000 units a day for over a year now. I took part in a NASA study on vitamin D when I wintered over in Antarctica a few years back. I learned how vitally important it is.
I think people in sunny areas like California assume their needs are met, but they forget that due to working and living indoors almost all day long, they may as well be in Antarctica as far as Vitamin D production goes.
excellent advice, Dr g! especially for me, considering I live in a climate where it is not as sunny all year round like in California. I drink lots of milk, but I'm not sure if that's a good substitute for Vitamin D supplements. Jim :)
Milk is usually fortified with a relatively small amount of Vitamin D, so that helps, but usually supplementation is needed to ensure adequate levels through the winter.
I recently had a physical and found my D levels were very low which surprised me as i do a lot of sailing and am out in the sun. But, with sunscreen and being covered up, I am not getting enough. And what is enough? Any rule of thumb for how long you need to be in sunlight to get enough? If taking supplements, what is the appropriate amount?
Most effective sunscreens block Vitamin D production, another reason why so many people have low D levels. In full summer sun, about 15 minutes is adequate for a daily dose. In the winter at our latitude, it is difficult to manufacture enough. The consensus amount for a daily dose has been increased to 800iu. It seems safe to take a larger amount, but probably over 2000iu is not helpful unless a person is very deficient, and then for a defined period of time only.
I've been taking 5000 units a day for over a year now. I took part in a NASA study on vitamin D when I wintered over in Antarctica a few years back. I learned how vitally important it is.
ReplyDeleteI think people in sunny areas like California assume their needs are met, but they forget that due to working and living indoors almost all day long, they may as well be in Antarctica as far as Vitamin D production goes.
ReplyDeleteI hope you and Antz keep on doing well.
excellent advice, Dr g! especially for me, considering I live in a climate where it is not as sunny all year round like in California. I drink lots of milk, but I'm not sure if that's a good substitute for Vitamin D supplements. Jim :)
ReplyDeleteMilk is usually fortified with a relatively small amount of Vitamin D, so that helps, but usually supplementation is needed to ensure adequate levels through the winter.
ReplyDeleteI recently had a physical and found my D levels were very low which surprised me as i do a lot of sailing and am out in the sun. But, with sunscreen and being covered up, I am not getting enough. And what is enough? Any rule of thumb for how long you need to be in sunlight to get enough? If taking supplements, what is the appropriate amount?
ReplyDeleteMost effective sunscreens block Vitamin D production, another reason why so many people have low D levels. In full summer sun, about 15 minutes is adequate for a daily dose. In the winter at our latitude, it is difficult to manufacture enough. The consensus amount for a daily dose has been increased to 800iu. It seems safe to take a larger amount, but probably over 2000iu is not helpful unless a person is very deficient, and then for a defined period of time only.
ReplyDelete