Sunshine and Vitamin D

jilleebean777
jilleebean777 Posts: 219 Member
in Food and Nutrition
I know they say you can get some vitamin D through sunlight. However, right now I don't think I have seen the sun for a few weeks.

Since the sun is still technically out, though it's cloudy, do you still get the vitamin D from being outside? I know this may seem like a rediculous question, but its worth a shot...and REAL help will be appreciated.

Replies

  • KellyAS711
    KellyAS711 Posts: 3 Member
    Unfortunately, direct sunlight is necessary for our bodies to be able to make Vitamin D from the sunlight. This is why those that live in the Northeast are often times vitamin D deficient.. "The body makes vitamin D when skin is directly exposed to the sun, and most people meet at least some of their vitamin D needs this way. Skin exposed to sunshine indoors through a window will not produce vitamin D. Cloudy days, shade, and having dark-colored skin also cut down on the amount of vitamin D the skin makes" (Office of Dietary Supplements, National Institute of Health.

    For more information about vitamin D that is a credible source: http://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminD-QuickFacts/
  • jilleebean777
    jilleebean777 Posts: 219 Member
    Darn...Thank you for the info! Was a BIG help! I was just hoping that it was possible! Maybe I need to get one of those "sun lights" for my desk at the office. That may help. And start taking my vitamin D supplements again.....

    the life of a New Englander....
  • trophywife24
    trophywife24 Posts: 1,472 Member
    I live at the beach April-September and take a Vit-D supplement Oct-March. I notice a huge.. huge.. huge change in my mood/general wellness without my piping hot dose of vitamin D. It's still pretty nice down here in the winter but it's often cloudy so... supplement it is :)
  • harleydall76
    harleydall76 Posts: 586 Member
    )))living in New England(((

    The sun is FINALLY out now after I don't know how many days.
  • sheleen302
    sheleen302 Posts: 266 Member
    I live in the Mid-Atlantic area. Was diagnosed recently with major vitamin d defiency. Dr. prescribed vit d from the pharmacy. He said my deficit was too large to be able to make enough from sunlight.
  • jilleebean777
    jilleebean777 Posts: 219 Member
    )))living in New England(((

    The sun is FINALLY out now after I don't know how many days.

    AHHH!! OMG I SEE IT I SEE IT!!!!! Thank you for letting me know! It was rainy and dreary on the way in, I packed my sneakers to walk on my lunch, but got discouraged with the clouds again....I also do not have a window near me so I can't look and see. But when I saw this I definitely went to check!!

    WALK AT LUNCH IT IS!! YAY!

    I also have some D supplements at home, I think its time to bust them out.
  • harleydall76
    harleydall76 Posts: 586 Member
    I've had 3 rounds in the past year or so where the doctor perscribed those once a week Vitamin D pills, that I took for 6 weeks.

    I'm due for more bloodwork in a couple weeks, and we'll see how it looks again.
  • Firefox7275
    Firefox7275 Posts: 2,040 Member
    I know they say you can get some vitamin D through sunlight. However, right now I don't think I have seen the sun for a few weeks.

    Since the sun is still technically out, though it's cloudy, do you still get the vitamin D from being outside? I know this may seem like a rediculous question, but its worth a shot...and REAL help will be appreciated.

    Plenty of vitamin D in oily fish and other real foods. It's rarely a good idea to supplement individual vitamins and minerals unless specifically advised by a suitably qualified medical professional, micronutrients work synergistically and in opposition not in isolation, also some are toxic in excess including vitamin D.
    http://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminD-HealthProfessional/
    http://nutritiondata.self.com/foods-000102000000000000000.html

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