Vitamin D deficiency

[theshedman]

Hi, why is it that every where on TV they keep talking about vitamin D deficiency. I thought that it came from the sun and some food products. For years now they have been telling us to stay out of the sun and slap on loads of sunscreen to block out the rays from the sun and now they are saying that we need to take vitamins because we don't get enough vitamin D from our diets and lifestyle. This is with out saying directly that we need more sunlight. In my way of thinking and I may be wrong if we were to lead a normal life and go out in the sun without overdoing it wouldn't that be enough without having to take extra suppliments.

[Sqad]

LOL.......I agree entirely.

[ummmm]

Yes, it would be enough. This is the age of the internet and cars. People are not getting enough exposure.

Rickets have made a come back. They need to get the point over to people. Especially in winter.

[theshedman]

I think maybe the government have made a rod for their own backs with this one personally and they say most health officials don't know about it. Why don't they know about it. When I was young parents aways told us to get out in the fresh air. These days some children don't seem to know what that is.

[rowanwitch]

we eat low fat diets and end up deficient in fat soluble vitamins, we leave citrus because we don't want acid erosion of our teeth, we stay out of the sun even in winter and get deficiency or SAD... we avoid exposure to bugs until we have weak immune systems Nanny (state) does not always know best)

[ummmm]

You'd be surprised.

I know there are loads of kids stuck behind a computer screen/xbox. There's still loads that go out. But then they're made to feel like they're doing something wrong. My sons mate got stopped by the police for having his hood up! Just walking home, on his own, on a cold evening. Madness...

[pastafreak]

In this country the sun is only strong enough in the summer months from April to September. Daily exposure of the skin for as little as 30 minutes is enough. But-because we have such dreary winters,supplementation becomes necessary. I've taken Vit D3 since September this year-and I can honestly say it's helped me-I feel more alert,and my mood is better.

Yes-all the 'modern' advice about staying out of the sun is now catching up with us.Our parents and grandparents generations had it right about so many things...we've gone and messed up big time! Children with rickets? Wasn't that a Victorian phenomena? At least they could blame it on smog. ;-(

[ummmm]

The winter sun is strong enough to burn my OH....bless him :-)

[bednobs]

When i was pregnant, they adivsed me to keep taking prenatal vitamins all throughout the pregnancy, because of the alarming rise of ricketts in pregnant mothers and babies. It does come from the sun, but as was said, our lifestyles mean that less people actually spend time outdoors in the sun. Personally i would rather take supplements (or increase it in my diet) than put myself at extra risk of skin cancer by not wearing sunscreen

[pastafreak]

@Bednobs-it's only 30 minutes a day in summer-not really that much. But yeh-supplements seem to be needed by most people in the winter. It's difficult to get enough from diet.
@ummmm...I'm not sure that sunburn means he's absobing vit D.

[Sqad]

///But-because we have such dreary winters,supplementation becomes necessary///

Naaaah!......just get out into the fresh air for 20mins a day in the winter.....the sun is still there......any supplements are totally unnecessary.

[seadogg]

Bog standard cod liver oil capsules have the RDA of vitamin D. We get Morrisons cheapest. Best thing is a dog if you have time to take it out.
Nanny state has undermined the will of people to take responsibility for their well being unfortunately.

[ummmm]

Pasta...he's out all day, everyday. My point being, if he can get burnt then the winter sun is strong enough to get your vit d.

[EDDIE51]

Never taken a vitamin tablet in my life , I consider them totally unnecessary as long as you have an adequate and varied diet. 61 now and only been to a doctor 5 times in 30 years.

[RATTER15]

Supplements are a total con.

[seadogg]

Agree Sqad, but I believe in keeping the old joints supple too,

[seadogg]

Good on you Eddie! I'm 76 and wouldn't hold you back on the hill lol

[bednobs]

i get in my car in the morning, (7 seconds exposure) work in my office all day (0 seconds exposure), walk from my car to my door(7 seconds expeosure)

[ummmm]

There lies the problem bednobs. And it's no ones fault.

Unless you only work 5 mins away :-)

[McMouse]

Last time I looked at the Sun I felt unwell for days. Now I take the Telegraph and I'm bursting with energy.

[theshedman]

I was lucky enough to work outside for a lot of my working life so probably got a fair bit of vit D from that but even when I worked inside there is nothing stopping you going out for a stroll in the fresh air. If there are reasons why you cannot get out then maybe you may need to take something extra. To my way of thinking if you have a healthy lifestyle which involves being outside now and then there should be no need for extra vits.