Comments | amamama: I'm upset. Mildly put.

amamama

I'm upset. Mildly put.

May 04, 2010 23:12

Because, as I am on a mission to get my vit. D levels increased so that they get to optimal level (and not stay at less than half of recommended), I am trawling the web for science reports about MS and Vit. D. And I just discovered that it's actually as much as 50 - fifty! - years since the correlation between MS and Vit.D/lack of sunshine was ( Read more... )

vit. d, health, ms, rl

Comments 29

megan29 May 4 2010, 21:51:04 UTC

That is very useful info. My doctor asked me if I wanted my vit. D level checked last time I went for my annual, and I said, 'sure.' To no one's surprise, they are low. Pretty much everyone that works inside, in offices, has low levels. My husband's doctor offered to check his, too (low again). I don't know exactly why doctors are suddenly so kin on checking vit. D levels, but it may have something to do with the kind of connections you discovered. Or maybe other things, as well. Moonette is sure to know more about this.

I didn't pay much attention to my low level. I got a prescription, but only took part of it, and forgot to refill. But I will pay more attention next time (my annual is coming up). Thanks! And I hope you are successful both in getting your levels to normal, and in feeling better as a result.

amamama May 4 2010, 22:03:28 UTC

It's linked to such a lot of diseases. Cancer, for instance. Sufficient vit. D levels are as efficient in reducing cancer risk as quitting smoking. Take a look at vitamindcouncil.org, they're up to date on research and have loads of useful info. And google scholar, of course. *g* I'm going to start using that cream I have on the kids, as just because I have MS they are at increased risk.

stmargarets May 4 2010, 22:07:29 UTC

Isn't the internet a great gift? I'm so glad you are finding out more and more about how to help yourself - and others at the same time.

There's lots of talk about vitamin D in Canada these days. Somebody's research is finally getting out into the mainstream.

amamama May 5 2010, 13:33:47 UTC

The internet is great - you have to know how to use it, though. There are some sites out there that are rather unhealthy. But I found something else today - our farmer friends from whom we get raw milk, asked if I wanted some colostrum. It's calving season. And when googling for recipes I found a very interesting tidbit - colostrum is used in ayurvedic medicine to combat autoimmune diseases. Imagine that. I immediately had a large glass. And fell asleep. Not so strange, because after the first feeling the calves sleep for hours.

I'm waiting for New Practitioner to call me about the results, which they said at the office were within normal range, and point out the fact that I'm not going for "normal" here - I'm aiming for optimal. Besides, my "normal" level is too low according to the vit. D council. Why does this have to be so hard?

crumplehornedki May 4 2010, 22:20:10 UTC

You could always move to Australia - lots of sun here!

I shall also check with my good friend who has MS that she is taking lots of Vitamin D

amamama May 5 2010, 13:36:58 UTC

Well, we have family in Darwin ... I'd get enough sun there! But Spain is also nice, even though it is a country on the brink of economic collapse, just like Greece. But I really don't want to be too far away from my mum. She's definitely getting older. *sigh*

gwendraith May 4 2010, 22:47:52 UTC

There seems to be quite a lot on UK internet about it.

The Times had an interesting article and also the NHS and the MSRC

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/scotland/article5672308.ece

http://www.nhs.uk/news/2009/02February/Pages/MSandVitaminD.aspx

http://www.msrc.co.uk/index.cfm/days./show/pageid/1334

I'll have to ask my son and daughter in law what they think.

amamama May 5 2010, 13:43:53 UTC

Interesting, and very much in line with the papers I trawled through yesterday. Are your son and DiL both doctors? It would indeed beinteresting to hear what they think.

gwendraith May 6 2010, 12:21:52 UTC

Ben is an orthopaedic surgeon but obviously remembers much of his general medical training. Yvonne is a physician (chest and respiritary specialist) and is excellent with all kinds of medical issues. I'll ask next time I speak and see what they think.

amamama May 6 2010, 12:44:44 UTC

Please do - it's always interesting to find out how well new research gets out to the frontline.

alkari May 5 2010, 00:43:28 UTC

My elderly mother was told she is low on Vit D. All she has to do out here is spend around 20 mins outdoors each day, but her activities are mostly inside. We are encouraging her to get outside a bit more each day, which may be a bit easier now the weather is slightly cooler ( ... )

amamama May 5 2010, 13:57:47 UTC

It's amazing how scared people have become of the sun. One vit. D scientist I read an inteview with basically said (I'm paraphrasing here) "we are hairless apes, developed in the equatorial belt, with no clothes on. Of course the sun isn't going to kill us - it would've done so eons ago, then." The point is to be sensible. SUnburn is no good. No sun is no good. Shelter during the strong midday sun, soak it up in the morning and afternoon. I've never used sunscreen on the kids, and they've never been burned. I've preferred to bring them into the shadow or inside to get respite instead. And I've been there with them.