Why Am I Sick? - Vitamin D deficiency

[redrocksnudist]

My daughter (who isn't a nudist), has been having all kinds of problems, we couldn't figure out what was the cause of them....

Chronic Fatigue, Muscular Aches, Depression, Irritable Bowel....

You name it, not problems you would expect for a 27 year old...

We chalked it up to her being mom to a houseload of kids, and stress...

Finally today, after being told she had everything in the book (in the past), she found out she is deficient in vitamin D...

50 nM/L is normal, 30 nM/L is Deficient, hers is 18 nM/L (a level that increases your risk of death by ALL factors significantly)...

Now we don't know if it's because she has some problem with absorption of Vit. D, or if she just doesn't get out in the sun much (which she doesn't)...

The Doctor told her she would have to drink 40 glasses of milk a day to get enough Vitamin D, or move to Arizona (seriously), he didn't however mention that she could become a nudist...

So now she is starting on a prescribed Vitamin D supplement of 50,000 units a week...

According to the article the average person can make about 20,000 units from 20 minutes of sun exposure...

I suppose that may vary if you live too far from the equator ...

Actually in winter above 35 degrees north of the equator or below 35 degrees south of the equator, the chances of your body making vitamin D are nil...

She Lives in central Illinois (haven't worked out what latitude that is yet)...

Brenda and I haven't mentioned to our family that we are nudists (or even home nudists)...

After I told my her she should lay out at least 20 minutes 3x a week (=60,000 units), I jokingly told her she should become a nudist...

She kind of laughed and said "they have camps for that", I told her I was calling her from one - LOL


Anyway here is the article, hope it is informative...


The Dangers of Vitamin D Deficiency

Published by Sandy Robinson at under Drugs/Supplements (on the Fighting Fatigue Blog)...

To Read It From The Original Source Click Here...

http://www.fightingfatigue.org/?p=1220

I wrote an article online about the dangers of Vitamin D deficiency and thought it would be fitting for this site. Never try to diagnose yourself. Always see a physician with any questions on Vitamin D Deficiency or any other health issues.

I never realized until I was diagnosed with a serious Vitamin D deficiency what all problems this could cause. My doctor was very concerned because my levels were dangerously low and he immediately put me on a high dose Vitamin D supplement. Some other health problems my doctor told me Vitamin D deficiency could cause include heart disease, chronic pain, Fibromyalgia, hypertension, arthritis, depression, inflammatory bowel disease, obesity, PMS, Crohns Disease, cancer, MS and other autoimmune diseases.

The Vitamin D Council states that Vitamin D deficiency can also cause stroke, osteoporosis, muscle weakness, muscle wasting and birth defects.

The American Society of Anesthesiologists released a report in October of 2007 that stated approximately one in four patients who have chronic pain issues were also found to have low levels of Vitamin D. This was according to a new study that the American Society of Anesthesiologists conducted. Their study also found that those with lower levels of Vitamin D required higher doses of morphine over a longer period of time.

According to the Vitamin D Council, if you are someone who completely avoids the sun you will need to take approximately 4,000 units of Vitamin D per day. You would have to drink 40 glasses of milk a day or take 10 multivitamins a day to get the required amount of Vitamin D. Naturally neither one of these methods is recommended so what are we to do? Many people now fear the sun due to the increasing awareness and prevalence of the deadly skin cancer, Melanoma. The Vitamin D Council says that most people typically make about 20,000 units of Vitamin D after 20 minutes of sun exposure, which is about 100 times more than the daily amount of Vitamin D the FDA says we need. Tanning beds are another option to get the required amounts of Vitamin D also. Personally I will not use a tanning bed or spend excessive amounts of time out in the sun due to fear of skin cancer.

There is another option if you are not a sun worshiper. You can have your physician administer a 25-hydroxyvitamin test to determine if you have optimal levels of Vitamin D in your blood. The Vitamin D Council considers optimum levels to be approximately 50 nM/L. The 25-hydroxyvitamin test measures the amount of calcidiol (a prehormone found in the blood that is produced in the liver). This is considered the most reliable form of testing for Vitamin D deficiency. If this test shows that you are indeed Vitamin D deficient, there is also a supplemental vitamin D3 cholecalciferol you can take.

In order to get the proper amount of Vitamin D your body requires, you need to be able to find a healthy balance of sunlight, but still reduce your risk of skin cancer, particularly Melanoma. Wear sunscreen every time you are in the sun and keep your sun exposure to 20 minutes at a time.

Sources used for this article include:

ImmuneSupport.com - Vitamin D Inadequacy May Exacerbate Chronic Pain

Vitamin D Council - Vitamin D Research and Research Requirements Link

Other Fighting Fatigue articles on Vitamin D Deficiency:

Low Vitamin D Associated With Increased Risk of Death

Vitamin D Deficiency: A Disease of Neglect

Low Vitamin D May Be Harmful to Bones of Those with IBD

Vitamin D & Vitamin D Deficiency Links

Vitamin D Deficiency Tied to Back Pain In Older Women

[Centauri4]

Thanks for sharing this important information. We never know where the most meaningful tips will come from sometimes.

I do not think most people view their bodies as carefully balanced "filtration systems" and have hardly the slightest idea of which compounds get absorbed, which get flushed out, and those that might be accumulating in or livers, kidneys, brain cells and even just sweated out through our skin. It should be something our children are taught in school more carefully so they won't make early mistakes in their diets and lifestyles that COULD last a lifetime.

~

[alfredr]

Central Illinois is around 40 degrees North latitude. I'm at about 34 degrees North here in Georgia and it is supposed to get up to about 70 degrees Farenheit today. I'm going to try to get some nude time today. I guess if we get caught we can claim we are getting vitamin D.

[Naturist Mark]

http://blog.beliefnet.com/beyondblue/imgs/r-SUN-large.jpg (http://blog.beliefnet.com/beyondblue/2009/06/the-vitamin-d-epidemic.html)

Vitamin D and Mental Health (http://blog.beliefnet.com/beyondblue/2009/06/the-vitamin-d-epidemic.html)

by Therese Borchard, Author of the blog, Beyond Blue, on Beliefnet.com<blockquote>I've been wondering how vitamin D and mental illness are related, so I did a search and found that vitamin D does, indeed, play a role in mental illness based on these reasons from the Vitamin D Council's website (http://www.vitamindcouncil.org/mentalIllness.shtml):

1. Epidemiological evidence shows an association between reduced sun exposure and mental illness.
2. Mental illness is associated with low 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] levels.
3. Mental illness shows a significant comorbidity with illnesses thought to be associated with vitamin D deficiency.
4. Theoretical models (in vitro or animal evidence) exist to explain how vitamin D deficiency may play a causative role in mental illness.
5. Studies indicate vitamin D improves mental illness.

Here's even more details, according to the Vitamin D Council:

* Mental illness has increased as humans have migrated out of the sun.

* There is epidemiological evidence that associates vitamin D deficiency with mental illness. Two small reports studied the association of low 25(OH)D levels with mental illness and both were positive.

* Depression has significant co-morbidity with illnesses associated with hypovitaminosis D such as osteoporosis, diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, multiple sclerosis, and rheumatoid arthritis.

* Vitamin D has a significant biochemistry in the brain. Nuclear receptors for vitamin D exist in the brain and vitamin D is involved in the biosynthesis of neurotrophic factors, synthesis of nitric oxide synthase, and increased glutathione levels--all suggesting an important role for vitamin D in brain function. Rats born to severely vitamin D deficient dams have profound brain abnormalities. Yikes.</blockquote>

Yet another reason naturism benefits mental health.

[sbt7879]

http://blog.beliefnet.com/beyondblue/imgs/r-SUN-large.jpg (http://blog.beliefnet.com/beyondblue/2009/06/the-vitamin-d-epidemic.html)

Vitamin D and Mental Health (http://blog.beliefnet.com/beyondblue/2009/06/the-vitamin-d-epidemic.html)

by Therese Borchard, Author of the blog, Beyond Blue, on Beliefnet.com<blockquote>I've been wondering how vitamin D and mental illness are related, so I did a search and found that vitamin D does, indeed, play a role in mental illness based on these reasons from the Vitamin D Council's website (http://www.vitamindcouncil.org/mentalIllness.shtml):

1. Epidemiological evidence shows an association between reduced sun exposure and mental illness.
2. Mental illness is associated with low 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] levels.
3. Mental illness shows a significant comorbidity with illnesses thought to be associated with vitamin D deficiency.
4. Theoretical models (in vitro or animal evidence) exist to explain how vitamin D deficiency may play a causative role in mental illness.
5. Studies indicate vitamin D improves mental illness.

Here's even more details, according to the Vitamin D Council:

* Mental illness has increased as humans have migrated out of the sun.

* There is epidemiological evidence that associates vitamin D deficiency with mental illness. Two small reports studied the association of low 25(OH)D levels with mental illness and both were positive.

* Depression has significant co-morbidity with illnesses associated with hypovitaminosis D such as osteoporosis, diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, multiple sclerosis, and rheumatoid arthritis.

* Vitamin D has a significant biochemistry in the brain. Nuclear receptors for vitamin D exist in the brain and vitamin D is involved in the biosynthesis of neurotrophic factors, synthesis of nitric oxide synthase, and increased glutathione levels--all suggesting an important role for vitamin D in brain function. Rats born to severely vitamin D deficient dams have profound brain abnormalities. Yikes.</blockquote>

Yet another reason naturism benefits mental health.

I think this brings home the point that God designed us to be unclothed more than clothed. The story of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden illustrated that people are at their happiest in their natural state. For centuries people lived without clothing; who knows what people's life expectancy was when human beings roamed the world without clothes. Long story short, God had it right the first time.

[JeepNude]

Believe it or not, I also had Vitamin D deficiency. Odd for a lifelong nudist. It was brought on by my heart medication, that is one side effect. Usually, I would be low on D in the winter then just about right in the summer.

My doctor actually told me to get at least an hour of sun per day with a swimsuit on and no sunscreen. I asked him if it would be OK to go without the swimsuit, he laughed. Then, I broke the 'news' to my doctor and showed hom my no-tan-line. He got a real good laugh, and then adjusted my heart medication so it doesn't deplete my vitamin D so badly.

[silentworld]

that is a question!

[Naturist Mark]

5 Ways Vitamin D Could Save Your Life (http://www.abcnews.go.com/GMA/OnCall/story?id=8234947&page=1)
'GMA' Medical Contributor Marie Savard Explains the Best Ways to Get Vitamin D

Vitamin D deficiency affects many U.S. children (http://www.examiner.com/x-15966-Norfolk-Health-Care-Examiner~y2009m8d3-Vitamin-D-deficiency-affects-many-US-children)
As many as 70 percent of U.S. children get too little vitamin D. This puts them at risk for weak bones and heart disease.

[timothyc]

I also have Vitamin D deficiecy so my doctor has me take perscription Vitamin D pills also called Ergocalciferol twice a week. My aunt also used to have the same problem until she recently died of cancer probably not related to her Vitamin D problem.

[QCrash]

My wife sees Dr. Davis who specializes in heart disease and is very adamant about the benefits of Vit D (among other things).

http://www.healthcentral.com/heart-disease/c/1435/28409/dark-vitamin

His web site is here:

http://www.trackyourplaque.com/

She indicates that the Vit D supplements have changed her life (more energy, feels healthier, still ornery as ever :D). Not selling the Dr, but some good info for those interested...

Crash

[Naturist Mark]

I also have Vitamin D deficiecy so my doctor has me take perscription Vitamin D pills also called Ergocalciferol twice a week. My aunt also used to have the same problem until she recently died of cancer probably not related to her Vitamin D problem.

Interesting ... ergocalciferol is the form of Vitamin D called D2, and is often considered to be inferior to D3 - cholecalciferol. Both are rather inexpensive, I wonder why D2 instead of D3?

[timothyc]

I have no idea other then that is what is prescribed by my doctor.

[Kouak]

Listened to People's Pharmacy this weekend. They were talking about Vit D. Someone made a comment that people with darker pigmentation had lower levels of Vit D. They were speculating that the pigmentation might interfere with the manufacturing of Vit D by the body. I did not hear them state that there was a study done to confirm this.

If true, I wonder if a deep tan (not just your natural pigmentation) would also interfere with Vit D manufacturing. If this is true, it just confirms "too much of a good thing"...

[Naturist Mark]

Listened to People's Pharmacy this weekend. They were talking about Vit D. Someone made a comment that people with darker pigmentation had lower levels of Vit D. They were speculating that the pigmentation might interfere with the manufacturing of Vit D by the body. I did not hear them state that there was a study done to confirm this.

If true, I wonder if a deep tan (not just your natural pigmentation) would also interfere with Vit D manufacturing. If this is true, it just confirms "too much of a good thing"...

Darker skin, whether from tanning or just genetics, DOES slow down the production of Vitamin D in the skin. That is not a problem for people with tans, because that is a self correcting process - if you receive enough sunlight to maintain your tan, you receive plenty to produce Vitamin D. People with naturally dark skin (I mean other than a tan) do need more than the 15 minutes 3 times a week a pasty white person needs. That is why vitamin D deficiency is worse for black people in northern latitudes like the US and Canada than it is among white people. The good news is that unlike sunscreens, the pigment in skin - melanin - does not prevent vitamin D synthesis - it just requires more time.

[puffledud]

Adequate vitamin D is also associated with a reduction in asthma. About 20 years ago Australia started a campaign to reduce skin cancer with their "Slip, Slap and Slop" program. What happened was a reduction in skin cancer, but a major increase in asthma which has since been linked to low vitamin D levels.

If you live north of Atlanta, Georgia then from at least November through March (depending on your weather conditions) you should take a vitamin D supplement. My doc recommends at least 400 IU per day which you can find in a regular daily vitamin.

Dave

Stay healthy out there.

[puffledud]

Oh, and there's a separate post in Fitness and Health about Vitamin D and Asthma. I should have referenced that in my earlier posting.

Dave

[Hairgod]

And here is another clip about the health advantages of maintaining proper levels of Vitamin D.

Although nude sunbathing or exercising is fun, it is not mandatory to absorb the proper amount of Vitamin D. A minimum of 40% of skin surface is required without oral supplements.

This is long, but very informative. Allow 30 minutes to watch.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TQ-qekFoi-o

[Edmontonnudist]

About this time every year I catch a cold with a fever!

-it has been foggy and damp at work (industrial construction)
-ran out of my homegrown tomatoes last week, all that is left are over ripened ones for seed gathering (an old heirloom variety)
-too cold for outside activity (nude tanning)

GO FIGURE!