Time in the Sun: How Much Is Needed for Vitamin D?

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and there is a difference. and sun screen should never be used, we need the sun for making good bones and many other things.
The perfect sun screen is get out of the sun after you have had enough, or before you burn. build up to tolerance.

Sandra L Ray of IA 8:23PM July 02, 2008

All you have to do is put a piece of banana peel over the wart and band-aid it on and in a month your wart will be gone. Even if you only do it at night.

Sandra L Ray of IA 8:21PM July 02, 2008

Nation Geographic reported a couple years ago that nano titanium dioxide, a major component in sunscreen, is carcinogenic. I am 76 was young before sunscreen was invented have generally avoided using sunscreen but am an outdoor person. I had my share of severe sunburns as a child but have had no skin cancers. Could it be that sunscreen is the real problem. Seems that the people I know that have skin problems (Melanoma) are the ones that slather up before going outside. Hmmm!

T. W. Childers of TX 4:16PM June 30, 2008

Just to play devil's advocate here...
What are tanning beds, if not medical devices that the dermatology industry wants to control? They regularly use artificial UV light to treat skin conditions.
The whole tanning bed debacle stinks a bit of antitrust...like when the AMA did all they could to put the chiropractors out of business...as the wikipedia page on the matter states:
"Following a decade of litigation, the Seventh Circuit Court upheld the ruling by U.S. District Court Judge Susan Getzendanner that the AMA had engaged in a "lengthy, systematic, successful and unlawful boycott" designed to restrict cooperation between MDs and chiropractors in order to eliminate the profession of chiropractic as a competitor in the U.S. health care system."
Great article and let's all support the powers that be to figure out how much sunshine we need for optimal health. It's good for us and, what Big Pharma doesn't like, is that it's FREE!

Cori of NJ 3:43PM June 30, 2008

Last year I saw a dermatologist for plantar wart removal. During the course of several different types of immune effect treatments (of which I was the first patient to react to) I then made a choice to see an allergist. Treatments like squaric acid and one other that basically wants your immune system to respond in a normal way. However, mine over reacted. Prior to these derm. appointments I had a history of skin reactions from ibuprofen, centrum vitamins and many other drugs. I told the allergist my history and began on a course of allergy injections. Received shots for around 8 months. In August of 2007 after receiving an injection I went into anaphylactic shock and was taken by ambulance to the emergency room. My b/p was 60/0 and I almost died. Four months later I went back to see my internist for advice. She ordered a vitamin D level test and found mine to be 26. I am now taking 7,200 units daily. I am to repeat my blood test in three months. I understand that I am at risk for certain types of cancers, as well, my mother suffers from Lupus. Can I really increase these levels? Intersting too, that I've been on thyroid medicine for nodules since 1996. I believe all these health issues may be related to my low levels of vitamin D?

CHW of KY 12:09PM June 30, 2008

I found a blog post that makes an interesting argument that some of the studies showing lower Vit. D linked to increased mortality in osteoporosis and autoimmune disease are showing an effect of infection and Vit. D receptor disregulation rather than simple deficiency.
You won't find any actual research that shows vitamin D + calcium increases bone density above calcium alone, though some people
still assert that conclusion. Vitamin D raises blood levels of calcium, yes. But not bone density.
Many people with low 25D have high 1,25D which is a product of 25D
That argues against deficiency in some cases. And in favor of infection + occasionally dysregulation of the Vitamin D Receptor resulting in overproduction of
1,25D from 25D (which leads to low levels of 25D, which appears like deficiency)
bacteriality.com/2007/09/15/vitamind/
They say high levels of 25D deactivates the Vitamin D receptor based on molecular modeling, though. That part I question. How much D3 supplementation does it take to maximize cathelidicin production?
I cannot find a direct answer to that question, and it should be simple.
Similarly Vit. D3 isn't the only thing that we get from sunlight.
sunlight
1) Helps break down bilirubin, a somewhat toxic breakdown product of hemoglobin.
2) Helps (not just through the eyes, but through the skin) keep your 24-hour rhythms in sync - so you're tired at night, not during the day.
3) Helps avoid seasonal depression.

Ryan W. of CA 5:13PM June 27, 2008

I cook for my dogs and I add one unit of vitamin D3 for every unit
of vitamin A over the course of the week. As the dog is
in the house alot, I give it a 1000 IU of D3 most days.
As the dog is overweight a higher dose is warrented, IMO.
This is true in humans as well.
During the fall and winter, I take in the range 4000 to 5000 IU of
supplemental D3. Understand I live in the North of the lower 48 States.
The total metabolic use rate of vitamin D in non-lactating humans
is around 3600 IU per day. A nursing mothers
can use 6000 IU per day and this makes the
mothers milk an adequate source of the vitamin.
I didn't provide references but it you go to
Pubmed and hunt down the papers by
Vieth, Heaney, and Holick you'll be well
on your way to understanding the subject
provided you are scientifically literate.

Dwight Hooper of WA 9:02PM June 26, 2008

I have been using for months and do feel better. However, my Vit D levels are down due to dieting. I take a vitamin high in D everyday. Any suggestions?

Jan of VA 4:17PM June 26, 2008

Hey, does anyone have any idea about dogs (or cats)? If they are mostly indoors, will they get enough 'D'? I know tumors are a problem in older pets -- maybe not getting enough "D" is a contributing factor?

Linda of CA 3:32PM June 25, 2008