[Harpy]

#1059940

Although a crossectional study, so not rock solid, but most studies aren’t anyway, it does show an association between Vitamin D levels and remission rates.

http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12020-012-9789-6/fulltext.html

Quote:

In conclusion, serum vitamin D levels were significantly lower in female GD patients without remission than in those with remission. It is noted, however, this study is cross-sectional survey with a small number of subjects, and limited in its ability to conclude that vitamin D status is directly related to the pathogenesis and/or prognosis of GD. Therefore, the direct role of vitamin D in patients with GD should be examined by further prospective clinical studies by the treatment of vitamin D and experimental studies.

For those in the northern hemisphere, summers coming, time for some fun in the sun, but not too much, generally 20-30min with good skin exposure is plenty, if you’re real pale, then even less.

Note: only UVB can make Vitamin D and it is generally only available when the sun is directly overhead, so a couple of hours either side of noon is the range.

[Harpy]

#1178921

From the same people, showing Vitamin D levels are also low at diagnosis.

http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12020-012-9679-y/fulltext.html

Quote:

In conclusion, vitamin D levels in female patients with newly onset GD are decreased and significantly associated with thyroid volume. It is noted, however, this study is cross-sectional survey with a small number of subjects, and limited in its ability to conclude that vitamin D status is directly related to the pathogenesis of GD. Therefore, the direct role of vitamin D in patients with GD should be examined by further prospective clinical studies by the treatment of vitamin D and experimental studies.

[Harpy]

#1178922

I read about this stuff a few years ago, but it was more in the hypothetical realm, more a what if, but it seems research has moved on and Sunlight exposure may well be essential to good health outside of just getting a dose of Vitamin D.

This particular study is related to the effect of UV rays on skin that stimulate the conversion of Nitrate stores in the skin and release nitric oxide into the circulatory system, this has the effect of relaxing arteries and reducing blood pressure, there may be a whole lot of other wide ranging ramifications too.

There is a long established blood pressure and CVD association with both lattitude as well as seasonal variations, i.e blood pressures tend to be lower in summer than in winter.

I wonder what else goes on in the skin, looks like we actually do quite a bit of Photosynthesis in different forms?

I’ve inserted the article from newspaper, couldn’t find original study, but did locate a couple of other studies discussing the actual mechanism involved, at bottom for those interested:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2321023/Want-cut-blood-pressure-Sit-sun-Exposure-rays-just-20-minutes-reduce-risk-heart-attacks-strokes.html#ixzz2Sp2WFNIE

Quote:

Want to cut your blood pressure? Sit in the sun: Exposure to rays for just 20 minutes can reduce risk of heart attacks and strokes

• Scientists argue health benefits of sun outweigh risks from skin cancer
• Edinburgh University researchers found exposure can cut blood pressure
• Scientists point out strokes and heart attacks kill more than skin cancer

By Sophie Borland
PUBLISHED:23:47 GMT, 7 May 2013| UPDATED:23:47 GMT, 7 May 2013

Sunlight could lower blood pressure and help stop heart attacks and strokes, scientists claim.
They argue the health benefits of the sun’s rays outweigh the risks from skin cancer.
Edinburgh University researchers found when skin is exposed to sunlight for just 20 minutes, blood vessels release an important chemical called nitric oxide.
This acts to lower blood pressure, reducing the risk of heart attacks, strokes or blood clots.
Dr Richard Weller, a senior lecturer in dermatology, pointed out that strokes and heart attacks cause many times more deaths than skin cancer.
Around 159,000 Britons a year die from the circulatory illnesses, while skin cancer kills 2,750.
His team monitored the blood pressure of 24 volunteers who sat under tanning lamps for two sessions of 20 minutes each.
In the first session volunteers were exposed to both UV rays and heat. But for the second session researchers blocked the UV rays, exposing them to heat alone.
The volunteers’ blood pressure dropped significantly after the first session, but not the second. This implies it is UV radiation, not heat, which is responsible for the beneficial effects.
The researchers believe sunlight unlocks nitric oxide stored in skin and widens arteries. Both effects lower blood pressure.
Dr Weller will present his findings on Friday at the International Investigative Dermatology conference in Edinburgh. He said: ‘We suspect the benefits to heart health of sunlight will outweigh the risk of skin cancer.’
He said scientists have known for years peoples’ blood pressure is lower in summer than winter.
Additionally, research shows populations of countries far from the equator, with less sunlight, have higher blood pressure.
Dr Weller said it was not a ‘cure’ and it was ‘too early to say’ if people should go in the sun more.
While the preliminary research involved only a few people, it will fuel the debate over whether sun exposure is good or bad.

http://eurheartj.oxfordjournals.org/content/31/9/1041.full

http://www.vitamindwiki.com/tiki-index.php?page=Beneficial+effects+of+UV+radiation+other+than+via+vitamin+D+production+%E2%80%93+June+2012

[vanillasky]

#1178923

How do you raise vitamin D level if you don’t go out in the sun? Mine is 7. They do nothing about it. I was told it should be 30 or 40.

I have heat intolerance so I can’t stand the sun. Plus, I use Retina-A on my face for wrinkles, wear sunscreen Spf 30 or 50 at all times.

I tried a sub-lingual Vitamin D from the health food store and it made me so nauseated, I couldn’t tolerate it.

Cannot take the little “jelly” pills because I throw up.

Is there another form of Vitamin D?

Karen

[Harpy]

#1178924

Definately thinc you should consult with doc regarding vitamin D levels, you can get liquid form with a graduated syringe from pharmacy, but I think it is with prescription.

Regarding sun exposure, only requires a short amount of time if you show a fair bit of flesh, generally middle of the day is best as that is when UVB is available and it is the one that produces Vitamin D.

Sun exposure is far better than supplimentation, but if levels are very low then both might be the go.

Talk to your doctor’s, they may have some other ideas.

IMO we have probably taken “Sun Protection” a little too far, it wouldn’t be the first time we got it wrong as a society through a knee jerk reaction.

I also hang around the MS boards, have a few MS friends, the whole Sun/Vitamin D thing is quite significant there, as there is a strong corrolation between latitude and incidence of MS, they also generally have heat intolerance, general reports are although they may be a bit uncomfortable during the exposure, they do feel better in the long run and their sun tolerance improves, but that’s just what I’ve read in discussions.

[vanillasky]

#1178925

thanks, Harpy. The question is: how many IU of Vitamin D does someone take?

Also, my plastic surgeon swears by sunscreen and when a person wears Retin-A, they have to wear a 30 at least and a 50 during hot summer months here or the skin burns.

[snelsen]

#1178926

Hi vanillasky,

I think the first step is to have a Vitamin D level drawn, see if you are deficient. I know you already realize this.
I live in Seattle, where the sun is an infrequent visitor! I have a Vitamin D level drawn now and then, maybe every 2 years or so. It is always fine, around 50. Which is great.

The NIH reference also addresses sun screen and Vitamin D absorption.
The conclusion is that it does make a difference, but not a significant one, primarily because the sunscreen is usually not applied evenly and consistently for a long period of time.

I’d ask your doc, but my experience from others, is that they are told that Vit D is in all multivitamins. Generally, if the lab level is a little low, 1000 IU daily IF they are deficient. Most of us get adequate Vitamin D from sun and food.

Are you deficient?
Shirley

There is a nice table of appropriate needs for Vitamin D in this NIH report. Listed by age for different requirements. The reference for the whole article is:
http://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminD-HealthProfessional/

Table 2: Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDAs) for Vitamin D [1]
Age Male Female Pregnancy Lactation
0–12 months* 400 IU
(10 mcg) 400 IU
(10 mcg)
1–13 years 600 IU
(15 mcg) 600 IU
(15 mcg)
14–18 years 600 IU
(15 mcg) 600 IU
(15 mcg) 600 IU
(15 mcg) 600 IU
(15 mcg)
19–50 years 600 IU
(15 mcg) 600 IU
(15 mcg) 600 IU
(15 mcg) 600 IU
(15 mcg)
51–70 years 600 IU
(15 mcg) 600 IU
(15 mcg)
>70 years 800 IU
(20 mcg) 800 IU
(20 mcg)
* Adequate Intake (AI)

[snelsen]

#1178927

Forgot the second reference. I’m good at that!
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/vitamin-d/NS_patient-vitamind/DSECTION=dosing

Shirley

[vanillasky]

#1178928

Hi shirley, yes my value is “7” they said it should be 30 or 40.

Everyone I know whether they have thyroid disease or not, have low vitamin D level here in upstate Ny. Even my hairdresser who is generally very healthy, has a very low level yet none of these doctors do anything about it.

My mother’s level is low too. She takes the pills but doesn’t absorb them.

[Kimberly]

#1178929

@Karen – Yes, definitely check with your doctor about the low Vit. D levels, as the doseage recommendations for supplements will vary by patient. My levels have been flagged as low a couple of times, and both times, my doc recommended a higher dose of supplement for a few weeks and then dropping to a lower maintenance dose once levels got back in the normal range.

I have a hard time getting pills down, so I open up the capsule (it’s a powder) and mix it with a small amount of juice. Doesn’t taste great, but gets it down.

(Side note: difficulty swallowing should always be checked out to see if there is a more serious underlying problem…which I did…and was told after a VERY expensive endoscopy that all appeared normal. My heart felt lighter after getting that news, but so did my wallet!)

Take care!

[Kimberly]

#1178930

Just a quick note on posting links – for links from approved sources, it’s best to post a snippet of the text along with the link, rather than the full article.

Although it’s highly unlikely that a major international news outlet would be reviewing our small forum, we still don’t want to take a chance on any copyright headaches!

[Author]

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