Slowtwitch Forums: The Womens: What's the deal with D?

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Slowtwitch Forums: The Womens:
What's the deal with D?

lilpups

Mar 24, 09 18:44

Post #1 of 17 (1176 views)

What's the deal with D?	Can't Post

I'm not refering to slowtwitcher D! but to Vitamin D. I read an article in Fitness Magazine yesterday (I needed something to help pass the time at the gym) about how most women aren't getting enough Vitamin D in their diets and it recommended 1000units daily and up to 2000units for athletes. Then this morning on NPR I caught the tailend of a segment talking about how important vitamin D is, especially for women living in areas like the cloudy Pacific Northwest, and how a Vit D deficiancy can not only lead to osteoporosis and bone degradation but also depression and some other stuff about lack of mental clarity but I can't remember what they said.

So does anyone know what the deal is with Vitamin D? From what I read I'm apparently a walking advertisement for future osteoporosis given family history, endurance athletics, thin caucasian build, thryoid issues, and living in a place that averages <100 days of sunshine/year. How much do you really need and how much can safetly be taken in supplements vs. dairy products and other foods rich in Vit D (which are what?).

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(This post was edited by lilpups on Mar 24, 09 18:48)

JenHS

Mar 24, 09 19:16

Post #2 of 17 (1162 views)

Re: What's the deal with D? [lilpups] [In reply to]	Can't Post

OMG!! Weird that you posted this! I just got my blood work back and my Dr. says my Vitamin D level is very low. Hubby did some reading apparently fortified milk and cereal, fatty fish and sunlight. Apparently up to 1000 IUs is recommended. My Dr. told me to take 2000mg.

We need a week in Cabo.

----------------------------------------------------------------------
kthxbai,
Jen - Twitter | The Boss | 2010: Some long runs| "JenHS is smart. ;)" - gamebofh | "JenHS is pretty popular so we need to keep her happy." - eganski | Brooks I.D.

cerveloguy

Mar 24, 09 19:26

Post #3 of 17 (1156 views)

Re: What's the deal with D? [JenHS] [In reply to]	Can't Post

I've been a sun worshiper all my life. Still love laying around my pool in summer. In winter I have a sunroom to lay in and soak up winter rays. I'll never have a vit D deficiency. Skin cancer might be a different story however.:-)

There is apparently also some recent research linking northern climes and lower vit D to MS. My sister in law died of MS at age fifty. She always avoided the sun, so it makes you wonder.

shelly

Mar 25, 09 6:15

Post #4 of 17 (1096 views)

Re: What's the deal with D? [cerveloguy] [In reply to]	Can't Post

My advice is to get tested. Right now you don't even know if you are low or not. Adding something at this point doesn't make sense....

Khai

Mar 25, 09 8:42

Post #5 of 17 (1049 views)

Re: What's the deal with D? [lilpups] [In reply to]	Can't Post

I'm pretty sure I have too much D in my life but the crazy bitch won't leave me alone...

<If you're gonna be dumb, you gotta be tough>
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JenHS

Mar 25, 09 9:36

Post #6 of 17 (1021 views)

Re: What's the deal with D? [Khai] [In reply to]	Can't Post

CaptainCanada

Mar 25, 09 12:02

Post #7 of 17 (974 views)

Re: What's the deal with D? [Khai] [In reply to]	Can't Post

In Reply To:

I'm pretty sure I have too much D in my life but the crazy bitch won't leave me alone...

Haah sweet.

===============
Oliver Half, IMLP, IMC

S. Pinkfontaine

Mar 25, 09 14:33

Post #8 of 17 (926 views)

Re: What's the deal with D? [JenHS] [In reply to]	Can't Post

If you get your ass off of your couch and outside into some sun, maybe your Vit D levels would be higher. ;-)
--
"You're awesome!" --Steve Pinkfontaine
Patience isn't a virtue. Patience is a waste of my time.
http://trainingoferic.blogspot.com/ (PM for permission)

JenHS

Mar 25, 09 14:38

Post #9 of 17 (923 views)

Re: What's the deal with D? [erichollins] [In reply to]	Can't Post

We HAVE no sun, that's the problem! I'm out in it every time it comes out.

----------------------------------------------------------------------
kthxbai,
Jen - Twitter | The Boss | 2010: Some long runs| "JenHS is smart. ;)" - gamebofh | "JenHS is pretty popular so we need to keep her happy." - eganski | Brooks I.D.

S. Pinkfontaine

Mar 25, 09 14:41

Post #10 of 17 (916 views)

Re: What's the deal with D? [Khai] [In reply to]	Can't Post

In Reply To:

I'm pretty sure I have too much D in my life but the crazy bitch won't leave me alone...

You too, huh? I should've never became friends with her on Facebook. ;-)

(luvya, D!)
--
"You're awesome!" --Steve Pinkfontaine
Patience isn't a virtue. Patience is a waste of my time.
http://trainingoferic.blogspot.com/ (PM for permission)

gwaveswims

Mar 25, 09 14:48

Post #11 of 17 (914 views)

Re: What's the deal with D? [lilpups] [In reply to]	Can't Post

What: Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that is essential for promoting calcium absorption and maintaining bone health.

Why: Without sufficient vitamin D, bones can become thin, brittle, or misshapen. Vitamin D sufficiency prevents rickets in children and osteomalacia in adults. Together with calcium, vitamin D also helps protect from osteoporosis.

Where: It is naturally present in very few foods, added to others, and available as a dietary supplement. It is also produced endogenously when ultraviolet rays from sunlight strike the skin and trigger vitamin D synthesis.
Food Sources include - Cod liver oil (1,360 IU), 3.5 oz. salmon (360 IU), 3.5 oz. mackerel (345 IU), 3 oz. tuna (200 IU), 1.75
oz. sardines (250 IU), 1 whole egg including yolk (20 IU), 3.5 oz liver (15 IU), 1 oz. Swiss cheese (12 IU)

Best Test: Serum concentration of 25(OH)D is the best indicator of vitamin D status.

** I highly recommend taking a calcium supplement that contains vitamin D (i.e., Oscal + D or Caltrate with D)

And if you have some spare time on your hands, you can read about it on the NIH website: http://ods.od.nih.gov/...eets/vitamind.asp#h3

Nikki

lilpups

Mar 25, 09 16:16

Post #12 of 17 (883 views)

Re: What's the deal with D? [gwaveswims] [In reply to]	Can't Post

Thanks Nikki!

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avatar78

Mar 25, 09 19:32

Post #13 of 17 (846 views)

Re: What's the deal with D? [lilpups] [In reply to]	Can't Post

It boosts absorption of calcium from the intestines. It's like the Robin to calcium's Batman.

The interesting thing is it actually will cause the removal of calcium from bone, but since it also boosts absorption so much, the net effect is increased calcium stores.

PirateGirl

Mar 26, 09 1:31

Post #14 of 17 (823 views)

Re: What's the deal with D? [lilpups] [In reply to]	Can't Post

I remember seeing a news piece on vitamin D deficiency last year. I don't remember the specifics but it was something along the lines of....there seems to be an increase in the # of deficient people, because people are using sunscreen more and more, since a lot of makeup and lotions have it in it. They recommended 20 minutes a day in the sun, then put sunscreen on.

I don't think I'll ever have a problem with vit D deficiency, I forget sunscreen 3 out of 4 times. And I don't use it in makeup or lotion (mostly because I don't use those), so most of my day to day stuff is outside w/o it.

LittleNYC

Mar 26, 09 13:08

Post #15 of 17 (716 views)

Post deleted by LittleNYC [In reply to]

JenHS

Mar 26, 09 19:20

Post #16 of 17 (666 views)

Re: What's the deal with D? [LittleNYC] [In reply to]	Can't Post

I just got some today. The hubby and I are going to start taking it. I'll report back on how I feel.

----------------------------------------------------------------------
kthxbai,
Jen - Twitter | The Boss | 2010: Some long runs| "JenHS is smart. ;)" - gamebofh | "JenHS is pretty popular so we need to keep her happy." - eganski | Brooks I.D.

JenHS

Mar 28, 09 14:59

Post #17 of 17 (578 views)

Re: What's the deal with D? [JenHS] [In reply to]	Can't Post

I just got all the numbers on my bloodwork back.

The normal range for vitamin D is 32 - 100.
My level: 8.

Yup, pretty darn low. We've picked up supplements so we'll see how we feel after a couple days.

If found it interesting that my B12 level was normal considering how much flack I'm given for being a vegetarian and told how we are always low on B12. I don't even supplement intentionally.

----------------------------------------------------------------------
kthxbai,
Jen - Twitter | The Boss | 2010: Some long runs| "JenHS is smart. ;)" - gamebofh | "JenHS is pretty popular so we need to keep her happy." - eganski | Brooks I.D.