Comments | veganpeople: Low vitamin D status despite abundant sun exposure.

asmallplanet in veganpeople

Low vitamin D status despite abundant sun exposure.

Jul 24, 2010 21:55

These were tanned surfers/skaters in Hawaii and some were below recommended minimum levels of vitamin D markers in their blood samples.

"...variable responsiveness to UVB radiation is evident among individuals..."

Low vitamin D status despite abundant sun exposure. Binkley N, Novotny R, Krueger D, Kawahara T, Daida YG, Lensmeyer G, Hollis BW, ( Read more... )

nutrients-vitamin d

Comments 14

theearthling July 24 2010, 13:05:16 UTC

Thanks for posting.

I get quite annoyed when I see people advising new vegetarians/vegans that they don't need to worry about vitamin D as long as they spend some time in the sun. It's so dangerous to give that kind of advice!

asmallplanet July 24 2010, 13:44:30 UTC

You're welcome. I'm hoping we can correct this bad advice. Please share it if you could, not just personally but to other messageboards. :)

(The comment has been removed)

asmallplanet July 24 2010, 13:48:45 UTC

Hmm indeed. The doctor's surgery I visited earlier this week had a little sign saying 'Do you know your vitamin D status' but unfortunately the blood chemistry tests I was picking up hadn't covered that. Considering your mother's experience it might be worth you checking also. I was bulk billed but hopefully it shouldn't be too expensive and no sane doctor would refuse to test a vegan for vitamin D. The good thing is if you need it, the earlier the better.

owlsie July 24 2010, 13:55:53 UTC

93 people is not a very large study at all, I would like to see more studies before I get worried [I don't go out of my way to supplement vitamin D, I only eat it occassionally in nutellex and soymilk]
They also don't go into detail on any other contributing factors - certain things can compete with vitamin d production, etc

asmallplanet July 24 2010, 14:01:20 UTC

What competes with vitamin D production?

virtualannette July 24 2010, 14:12:07 UTC

So ok... if I want to take vitamin D... aren't the supplements usually made from wool?? Or is that just a rumor I heard?

devilbunnie July 24 2010, 14:23:12 UTC

Vitamin D3 can be derived from lanolin, which is from sheep's wool. Look for D2. The one I take is http://www.amazon.com/Vitamin-D2-2000-IU-Veg/dp/B000LVGFDO

asmallplanet July 24 2010, 14:24:10 UTC

d2/ergocalciferol is from yeast, d3/cholecalciferol is from animals.

Deva is a USA company that sells d2. In Australia a local 100% vegan shop imports it. :)

ilikerivers July 24 2010, 15:13:51 UTC

I've heard from doctors and a few people that vit d deficiency is actually really common in Australia. I had really really low levels a while ago.

asmallplanet July 24 2010, 16:13:14 UTC

Interesting. After seeing a sign about tests at my local GP's office I started wondering. Before then I did not know it was an issue for non-vegans with enough sunlight.

Hope your levels are fine now!

ilikerivers July 24 2010, 17:25:59 UTC

I got them up with supplements but they are probably really low again now I've stopped taking them.

It'd be interesting to know why Australian's are having problems with D, maybe it's diet in general. My GP said it's really common.

I saw you source your D in Australia locally, where are you getting yours? I'm interested in getting them and vegan prenatals here.

asmallplanet July 24 2010, 17:46:03 UTC

http://www.greenedgeonline.com.au/ Based in Brisbane but they do online shopping also.

Someone else linked me to http://crueltyfreeshop.com.au/ awhile back regarding Freeda brand vitamin d.

Not sure why it's low here. Stats on a range of nations would be interesting. A friend in Belgium says it is chronically low there. Being a high latitude that seemed unsurprising.