[Closed] Vit D - are you getting yours?

Been taking cod liver oil with vitamin D for years.

Another one here doing the same.

1000iu per day form me - I was almost brought in for intravenous boosts after my levels were tested. Since taking supplement in winter months I'm generally, I think, healthier, happier and free of aches and pains.

Been taking it since last summer, when it became clear that due to pressures of work I wasn't going outside in daylight hours during the week.

Its well proven that most of us are Vit D deficient especially in Scotland.

Its an especially big issue for people from BAME background - in the US 50% of the population is vit-d deficient but it rises to 80% amongst black Americans - it may go some way to explain (here and in the US)  why severe cases seem to be particularly prevalent amongst the BAME population.

I was spending loads of time outside - but when I thought about it cycling in longs and gloves so very little skin exposed. Being active actually means you need more VitD

Yep, 2000iu ish a day.
not expensive and if it has a small effect it is worth it.
which reminds me, I need to order some more

I started taking it through last winter, doing the same this year probably through to end of March.

D3 + K2 here (look up the link - K2 is needed for absorption). I used to buy the most expensive capsule ones on amazon but now I just get the tablet ones having found out it's the exact same thing

I also take B12 and krill oil

I'd like to get to a financial position where I can regularly get bloods done to actually see what is going on with my body

3000IU spray for last few months, despite listening to Dr John Campbell mention the early small scale trials back around April 2020 in his frequent Youtube vids!

Didn't PHE or some other "big" UK pharma group tell us VitD didn't help, just before Xmas? Quick google-fu...

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/vitamin-d-supplementation-during-winter-phe-and-nice-statement/statement-from-phe-and-nice-on-vitamin-d-supplementation-during-winter
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/insufficient-evidence-for-vitamin-d-preventing-or-treating-artis

Even if it didn't specifically help with Covid, so many of us Brits don't take enough, especially during the weak sun months from September to March.

Mr Flannol, care to link?

Mr Flannol, care to link?

D3 + K2:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07YDCVX3G/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Krill oil:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00C9HAI4K/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o09_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Thousands of results for D3/K2 link, here're two (I profess no scientific knowledge at all, but more than happy to follow science, there's no financial difference in getting the extra vitamin K)
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5613455/
https://www.ijidonline.com/article/S1201-9712(20)30624-X/fulltext

nobby - no proof rather than it doesn't IIRC

Good thread TJ, yep there's lots of emerging evidence that being Vit D deficient increases the severity of any COVID-19 infection. Although, it's not a panacea, so continue to wear a mask, wash your hands and keep your distance.

Been taking (and getting the family to take) 2000iu a day since March.

No idea if it works, but haven't had CV19 (I don't think). Corralation is not causation etc etc. Also take some MCT C8 oil every morning.

Yep, daily for about 18 months. I started because I read somewhere, rightly or wrongly that a deficiency might have something to do with SAD/winter blues, which I suffer from a bit. Reading that it might protect against Covid was a bonus.

Yes, and zinc.

I know two people who had serious health problems for years that turned out to be vitamin d deficiency. One was falsely diagnosed with ms. The other fobbed off with anti-depressants.

Vitamin d is a big deal.

Any evidence for the high doses people are suggesting? NHS recommends 400iu a day Oct to March.

Been taking it during September to April for the last couple of years. I think i get enough sunshine outside those months.
It's the only supplement recommended by the NHS for everyone.
Another anecdote: my wife doesn't take vitD, she got covid and I didn't (or was asymptomatic).

This is interesting (re: dosages)

Just one little disclaimer/exception.

Talk to your doctor first if you've had cancer.

I attempted to sign up for the NHS vitamin d program for covid critically vulnerable. Found out cancer and vit d supplements combined can mess up your calcium levels. Advice was check with GP.

Multivitamin with zinc plus an extra Vit D capsule. Definitely feel better since starting.

Any evidence for the high doses people are suggesting? NHS recommends 400iu a day Oct to March.

Really? I take 800

High doses are recommended by some fringe medical folk. there is also a danger if unlikely to high does but they need to be thousands of units a day for years

Otherwise its very safe

Been taking 1000IU since autumn. Did get COVID but mild. However it hasn’t prevented the post COVID hangover. Been at the hospital today for a potential DVT (it’s not, it just looks like more post COVID fun) and they are currently running tests for vitamin D levels to check whether it’s still too low despite the supplements, given how I feel.

If you choose to take vitamin D supplements, 10 micrograms a day will be enough for most people.

Do not take more than 100 micrograms (4,000 IU) of vitamin D a day as it could be harmful. This applies to adults, including pregnant and breastfeeding women and the elderly, and children aged 11 to 17 years.

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vitamins-and-minerals/vitamin-d/

I've been taking it for the last 4 winters.

Started taking it last winter when working in Tromso.

Recommended by the locals.

Been taking 4000iu to 6000iu a day of vit D3 for years, a few years ago I got my mum, brother and friends onto taking 2000iu a day.

Its criminal that it is not pushed out for everyone to take.

Low Vitamin D is associated (on a population level) aging, inactive lifestyle, frailty, poverty, poor nutrition etc.

As a result, it’s often linked to poor health outcomes (inc with Covid infection). It’s the classic example of causation vs correlation though.

FWIW I do take Vit D supplements because they’re cheap but I certainly don’t really think it’s gonna save me from covid (that’ll be my youth, active lifestyle, good diet etc).

superficial
active people need more and how much sunshine actually hits your unprotected skin? I am none of those things bar my age and I had very low levels - GP was considering injectable vit d.

I agree its far from proven but the evidence is there and its cheap and harmless so why not?

I certainly don’t really think it’s gonna save me from covid

It can save you from a lot of things not just covid. It's crucial for your immune system.

Low Vit D levels mean a weakened immune system

I don't think that is up for debate.

You know I’m not convinced that there is as much need for supplements, in general, as people think. One of the many test I had when diagnosing my MS was Vit D and I was in no way deficient. For reference I live in NE Scotland.

That being said I do now take Vit D daily as recommended for MS but were I not diagnosed I doubt that would be taking any.

Talk to your doctor first if you’ve had cancer.

Interesting. When I was diagnosed the very first thing the consultant said was start taking vitamin D. The second thing was stop drinking spirits*

*I haven't got a drink problem, I was probably getting thru a bottle a year.

No I'm not.
I don't tend to take health advice off random people on the internet.😜

yeah been having a daily dose, if the body doesn't need it it will come out in my piss.

I don’t tend to take health advice off random people on the internet.😜

Then perhaps spend 5 mins on google finding out for yourself why the vast majority of the population in the northern hemisphere are vit d deficient at this time of year and of the health benefits of taking a supplement.

To be fair it is the only supplement the NHS recommend everyone take (Folic acid/pregnancy aside)

https://www.nhs.uk/common-health-questions/food-and-diet/do-i-need-vitamin-supplements/

Yes. I had low levels (about 8-10 ng/ml IIRC) measured as part of the multiple investigations that led to a CFS diagnosis. Been on 1000IU as recommended by the GP ever since.

Whilst understand the vit D thing, I question the ethics of taking krill oil.

I take to attempt to reduce the quantity of migraines I get. I cant confirm it does anymore than its helped my resistance to covid 19, but its a very small investment so I have nothing to lose.

As far as I know the only reason I have white skin is to make it easier to manufacture vitamin d. Evolution worked out that the benefit from this was worth the trade off in skin cancer.

Vit d is obvs important. It"s known to help the immune system. It's difficult to have too much and it costs pennies. Even if it does nothing for covid I'd like my immune system working as well as it can right now so I'm in.

D3 and K2 here - https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Vitamin-D3-4000iu-Vitamin-K2-100mcg-Cholecalciferol-Menaquinone-Vitamins/232223936926

I've been taking it daily along with B12 for 7 years after a health scare.

Whilst understand the vit D thing, I question the ethics of taking krill oil.

Very interesting - was honestly totally oblivious. Will look into suitable alternatives

Will look into suitable alternatives

flax or hemp seed oil will give you Omega 3

I tend to take a reset dose when I remember to take them (say 30000 units every month or so)- you can increase this to 50000 units but it seems to do the trick.

You can get a years supply for £12

https://smile.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07HM81L42/

You know I’m not convinced that there is as much need for supplements, in general, as people think.

That was always my [position until I was tested at 20% of normal vit d levels and read around it a bit. Vit D is still the only thing I would recommend. When its cheap, safe and may well do a load of good why not?

echolalia

the problem with that approach is you only store 2 or 3 weeks worth

Sorted out my chronic urticaria/angioedema after I noticed how much better it was after spending 2 weeks in the Greek sun.

7500IU a day

Yeah I think daily is the best way but I'm a lazy sod.

Interesting. I was offered it as part of being vulnerable but didn’t bother as I walk the dog and ride a lot but I might sign up to it now seeing as so many people rate it.

So Orange haven’t relaunched their Ti HT? 😔

I was thinking about this a while back. However, I hardly ever get sick - I generally feel great every day. I got a box of multivitamins to take and can't tell any difference after taking them for a month.

Golfchick - In winter the sun is too low to generate vit d and how much skin have you got exposed anyway?

Think there was a cut off deadline for the vulnerable sign up program, possibly tomorrow.

I've started taking vitamin D supplements. 3 times the RDA on the tub. Also occasionally drinking olive oil and lemon juice, not lots just a tablespoon of it with half a lemon. Bit of a Mediterranean idea I think.

I've read that the sun isn't strong enough to produce any vitamin D at all at these latitudes, so even if you stood around naked all day between October and March you'd get nothing. During summer it's easy to make enough with only a short time outside but you can't store it.

I take a multivitamin that includes D. I'm not expecting it to solve all my ills but they are cheap so why not?

Also occasionally drinking olive oil and lemon juice

I wouldn't - I'd toss my veggies in that at dinner time though - nom.

I'll have you know that I walk around in a tank top even in the midst of winter! (Or a scarf, gloves and long sleeve everything continually)

Hmm, a quick Google does throw up results suggesting it is possible to take too much. But anyway taking a pill is not for me, I'll stick with diet and going outdoors.

I’ll stick with diet and going outdoors.

Going outdoors won't work though.

Going outdoors won’t work though.

Diet it is then, seems to have worked so far.

seems to have worked so far

Get a test then post the results.

I could do of course, but why would I when I don't have any vit d deficiency symptoms and I never have? And I doubt my GP would appreciate it just now.

Yeah I started taking Vitamin D supplements here when I first read about it related to coronavirus quite a few months ago. Though living up north I'm conscious there are supposed to be a lot of other benefits too. I'm also suspicious of whether supplements really work but they surely can't do any harm and they're like £2 for 50 from Tesco so seems like a no-brainer.

I'm sure I read this morning that it used to be put into margarine to ensure the population was getting enough of it.

=bellerophon

I had no significant symptoms - or none that could be properly quantified. However I feel noticeably better now. No more night sweats, much better sleep, skin clearer, more energy. BOth symptoms and feeling better could well be between the ears tho

Also it may well give some protection against covid and NICE recommend vit d supplementation - the only one they do recommend for normal healthy folk

Active people need more vit d and its highly unlikely you get enough from your diet unless you eat oily fish several times a week.

Its cheap and has no downsides to take vit d

If you want to know about the research on Vitamin D it is worth looking at these non-profit organisations set up in the early 2000's to promote Vitamin D research and awareness:
Grassrootshealth
Vitamin D Society

It's probably fair to say their messages are:
- Vitamin D level in the blood is correlated with lower rates of fatality from a range of diseases, including Covid
- The recommended blood level is 40-60 ng/ml (100-150 nmol/L)
- Few people will get that in the UK without taking a supplement, generally a good deal more than the current UK RDA
- Get a blood test and see what your level is, then use that to take supplement required to achieve the optimum range.

Personally I am very cynical about supplements, we should get what we need for health from a good vegetable rich diet; but I think Vitamin D deficiency is a lot more credible. But take a look at the research evidence they offer and make your own mind up.

for some in depth talks about D this Linsay Kieth channel has talks from a conference from some years ago. The link above with epidemiologist Oliver Gillie is a good one to start with. Not so much covid related though.
Im convinced that if everyone in UK got their vitamin D levels right the NHS could come out stronger to make up for the covid knockout.

I’ve been taking D3 for the past few winters (October to March), given that the levels of winter sunlight in North-West England aren’t sufficient for the skin to make it.
I take 1000IU (25 μg) per day.

but why would I when I don’t have any vit d deficiency symptoms and I never have?

recently had to have a blood test, and like you I have no symptoms and am otherwise v healthy, only neg in my bloods was Vit D deficient. Most people are, and don’t realise

Living near Glasgow, cloudiest major city in Europe, it's a no brainer. Especially in winter.

Even our white skin evolved when we lived outdoor lifestyles.

A GP I know thinks vit D deficiency may be one factor in Glasgow's poor health record.

As there is no downside it is a bet you can't lose. Worst case you spend £19 a year unnecessarily.

Hmm, a quick Google does throw up results suggesting it is possible to take too much. But anyway taking a pill is not for me, I’ll stick with diet and going outdoors.

this has always been my approach however, I changed my view when we were requires to isolate in March/April time. Check out how much Vit D is in food you eat, even with an incredibly healthy diet its very hard to get the RDA every day; I reckon I eat a diet that is actually rich in D - I worked out I probably can get a maximum of 1/3rd of the RDA of vit D on most days through me diet - and averaged over a week its more likely 20%. There's little realistic I can do to change my diet that would substantially improve that.

So the other "natural" way to get vit D is from being outdoors *in sunlight*. You need to spend quite a bit of time (15 minutes/day in bright sunlight with both arms and legs exposed), unless you work outdoors or wear shorts and t-shirts outside most of the time I doubt you can get that exposure 'by accident' except between April-Oct. If you've just lost your commute and your lunchtime walk to gregs by WFH you are really limited. If you have to isolate for 2 weeks - and can go nowhere except your own garden then I think you will be worse off. If there is a link to low D and covid outcome it would be crazy not to take a simple cheap prevention. I recon after you've taken one tablet a day for a month you'll at least be thinking - this *might* actually be making me feel a *little* better. I stopped during the summer and *seemed* to be more fed up, tired, etc. I'm back taking it daily, and was better although probably slipping a bit now - but then I'm basically only getting diet and supplement at the moment, so perhaps should be taking more.

I used to be resistant to taking supplements when I was younger, for no other reason than I fundamentally didn't like the idea of 'medication' or anything that felt like it. But I realised that was stupid, and I started taking a multivitamin most days because why not? In all honesty, it does help give me more energy and focus. I can't say which particular thing helps though.

It's worth noting that if I eat a ton of vegetables it also helps, probably more, but I'm talking 4-5 huge servings a day (in the name of low-carb eating) which is quite abnormal in dietary terms and quite hard to sustain.

I had a test a couple of years ago and came out with 31.3nmol/L. This rates as insufficient in the UK, boarderline deficient, but the UK limits are half of most other European countries, so I would be classed as deficient in most other places. I'm now on the 4000UI pills as above. There have been a few general improvements to mood etc, and I would not stop taking them now, particularly with the Covid links now surfacing.

As most of the above, its cheap and there doesnt seem to be much reason not to carry on

the levels of winter sunlight in North-West England aren’t sufficient for the skin to make it.

It's worth saying that nowhere in the UK has enough sun to make Vit D in the winter. We are a deceptively long way north - even places like New York are on the latitude of southern Spain.

A relatively recent study indicated that white people in the UK need 9 minutes of lunchtime sun exposure every day March-September, with short trousers/sleeves in the summer, to still ahve nearly adequate Vit D by the end of winter: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5946282/
That is EVERY day AND without sunscreen - as you can imagine most people don't get near that, so for most people supplements are the only realistic option especially if you are non-white.

https://twitter.com/a_leesha1/status/1348596424552886273?s=21

https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2021/jan/10/does-vitamin-d-combat-covid

The most shocking thing is that the imbecile Davis has a degree in "molecular science".

Yeah but its a non-science aint it?, I mean you can't even see the molecules so how do we know its real science?.

I wonder how trustworthy the plethora of vitamins you can buy via Amazon are. There's a huge variation in price and whilst the leading brands are no doubt a complete rip-off thanks to having to fund big marketing campaigns I do wonder how believable the "years supply for £15" lot are. I mean if you can buy dangerous toys from China with fake CE marks I'm sure you can buy vitamins without actual vitamins in them

If you are on the shielding list you can get free vitamin D from the NHS..

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/people-at-higher-risk/get-vitamin-d-supplements/