Vitamin D casts cancer prevention in new light

Globe and Mail ^ | April 28, 2007 | MARTIN MITTELSTAEDT

[metmom]

However, from mid-October to mid-March, the sun’s rays in northern cities such as Boston are too weak to generate vitamin D, causing a regionwide drop-off in blood levels through the winter.”

That would either be about mid-March to mid-Sept, OR mid-February to mid-Oct. It doesn't depend on the climate and temp. It depends on the position of the sun in the sky. Look at the equinoxes and when they occur.

Some people who claim to be scientists should be more careful.

[Ditter]

After spending a lifetime in the sun (horseback riding, gardening, fishing), now at 66 I avoid it like the plague. Maybe I should rethink that. How much sun do I need daily?

[metmom]

Another factor I heard is important in Vitamin D production in the body is the presence of the skins oils on the skin. If that’s true, then going out in the sun after a shower would not result in the production of Vit D. I’ve always wondered if the rise in skin cancer is because people are getting the damage from the UV exposure and not the vit D because of being *too* clean. (so to speak)

[neverdem]

After spending a lifetime in the sun (horseback riding, gardening, fishing), now at 66 I avoid it like the plague. Maybe I should rethink that. How much sun do I need daily?

From the article: "Only brief full-body exposures to bright summer sunshine — of 10 or 15 minutes a day — are needed to make high amounts of the vitamin."

Here's an article for estimating exposed body area using the "rule of nines."

Burn Percentage in Adults: Rule of Nines

Example: Your head 9%, arms 18% and legs 36% are completely exposed so 63% of your body area is exposed. 20 - 30 minutes should be more than enough.

[elli1]

Once upon a time, medicine knew about that effect. They called them "solariums".

Yah. I was thinking about that. Nowadays, I suppose that a 'solarium' would have to have special filtering glass & a Warning from the Surgeon General.

[jwh_Denver]

If you want to buy this nonsense go right ahead. There’s plenty of it out there to believe.

[metmom]

What nonsense? That vitamin D is protective against cancer? Doesn’t seem to be nonsense to me and at the very least, it’ll help against osteoporosis. So what’s wrong with getting a good dose of something for free?

[FreeKeys]

Referring to Linus Pauling, the famous U.S. advocate of vitamin C use as a cure for many illnesses, he said: "Basically, Linus Pauling was right, but he was off by one letter."

LOL so much I woke my heavy-sleeper cat up.

[jwh_Denver]

There’s tons of stuff that’s free, help yourself.

[slowhandluke]

I think your comment was intended to show that Vitamin-D and prednisone weren't similar. Take a look at the presentation on this page, or just look at pages 10-11 of the transcript.

The money quote is at the end of the first paragraph on page 11: "But that's the difference between Vitamin D and prednisone, that one bond."

[Aquinasfan]

Taking Vitamin D supplements has helped be survive NE winters. I used to get extremely tired during the winter. Now I do just fine. Don’t exceed the RDA though.

[Aquinasfan]

However, from mid-October to mid-March, the sun’s rays in northern cities such as Boston

That's where I live, and historically, that's the period when I've been zonked out. Seasonal fatigue doesn't happen with everybody, but it sure happened with me. I've been taking Vitamin D for the last couple of years, beginning in November and ending in spring.

[AFreeBird]

Uh oh! Now even more yankees will be flocking to Florida to live.

Don't worry about me. I've done my time down there. Tampa specifically. I'm glad to be back north. FLA is a nice place to visit, but I didn't like living there.

[Barryfero]

I am just curious ?whether drinking three liters of milk a day is dangerous?
I have been drinking two to three liters of milk a day for twenty years maybe more...
Is there any info on the harms of this ..
Or know of anyone doing research on people that drink that amount...