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]

slaney

\\\\A recent nationwide survey in the UK showed that more than 50% of the adult population have insufficient levels of vitamin D and that 16% have severe deficiency during winter and spring\\\\

But 16% of the population do not have rickets..........and to assume that any symptom, depression etc is due to the abnormal blood result may well be fallacious even if replacing the deficient element relieves the symptoms.
You seem an out going sort of chap, healthy, exercises etc and if my assumption is correct, then what was the causes of YOUR low blood Vit D level......dietary or lack of UVL?

[slaney]

Hi Sqad - chap??
Obviously not everyone who is vitamin D deficient gets rickets/osteomalacia - they are just at much higher risk.

In my case low level was repeated and confirmed. Bone density was normal a few years back
My diet is good as is my health; I like oily fish/eggs. I usually don't bother to put on sunblock if I'm going out into the garden for half an hour, so I've no idea why levels were low - my only risk factor is age - over 60 - but my very young GP says the same about everything!

[Eve]

I got told I am deficient in Vitamin D through some tests my rhumatologist did and they put me on supplements. I am outside a fair bit as I don't drive so spend a lot of time at bus stops, walking about eg to work etc... and often sit outside at a coffee shop (a lot!) being a smoker.

I'm not a sun worshipper though, far from, I tend to keep out of the sun and often wear a hat but that's more just not being in direct sunlight.

I guess mine might be from bile acid malabsorption though?

[Ann]

On the subject of vitamins - what are Vitamin B supplements for and who are recommended to take them?