Vit D or D3 supplements

NICE GUIDELINES state
"In the UK, 80-90% of vitamin D is derived from skin exposure to ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation from sunlight, with the remaining 10-20% being derived from dietary sources"
It goes on to say that exposure to the sun between the months of late March and September allows vitamin D supplies to be built up and in the winter months the body obtains the necessary amount from dietary stores -i.e. the vitamins stored in your body, and dietary sources.
Supplementation is only necessary when an individual is deficient in vitamin D.

For karmalady to state that, and I quote "the sun, even in high summer and laying out stark naked, does not provide enough vitamin D" is incorrect, misleading and could even be dangerous if people wo are not medically deficient acting on that misinformation then go on to take unneeded supplements.
Vitamin D deficiency is abnormal and should be diagnosed by medical practitioners before taking medication which can be dangerous if not required.

I was diagnosed year ago with stage IV Melanoma. That's a very nasty, read can be fatal, form of skin cancer. I've never been a sun worshipper nor used a sunbed in my life. My life is almost certainly going to be cut short.

It is not known why some of us get this disease and some do not. One of the factors however, is age.

I suggest that until we do know for sure, it would be sensible to stay out of the Summer sun especially between 11am and 4pm and take a Vitamin D supplement.

Hospital specialists recommend spf50 all year round, plus a vit D supplement.

Believe me, you really do not want to risk Malignant Melanoma.

It depends on your CCG's rules (now ICS).

Mine gives prescriptions for loading doses when a severe deficiency has been diagnosed, but patients have to buy their own maintenance doses. I think that's the norm.

harrigran it appears to be a postcode lottery because I am prescribed D3 and have been since 2009. Some GPs do, and some do not.

GP prescribed Vitamin D but will not give me a prescription for it, I have to buy them over the counter. Docor is Spanish and he says that people living in the northern hemisphere need the extra boost and to go outdoors without SPF 50 for 20 minutes a day.

Esspee

I did not say everyone needs sun exposure, clearly it is imperative you are protected from UV Mogsmaw so a diet high in vitamin D rich food plus supplementation will be needed.
I was simply countering karmalady’s nonsensical statement with the factual statement that she was talking nonsense.
Unfortunately forums like this can have people spouting nonsense so it is important, especially when dealing with medical subjects that errors are corrected.
Incidentally I have read that if you place mushrooms outside in the sun (not behind glass) then they absorb vitamin D so if this is true it is a good way of boosting your intake naturally.

The NHS, PUBLIC Health England and the World Health organisation must all be spouting nonsense then ?
Are you a health care professional? Nah thought not ?

how many years have you studied esspee? no thought not, unlike me then

It is down to the individual either to do research or consult their health professional

There are ways of giving your advice espee and yours wasn’t the best way

Esspee The NHS and numerous other respected sites recommend taking Vitamin D, especially in winter. It is the only supplement which is almost universally recommended. Unfortunately, you are the one spouting nonsense.

I did not say everyone needs sun exposure, clearly it is imperative you are protected from UV Mogsmaw so a diet high in vitamin D rich food plus supplementation will be needed.
I was simply countering karmalady’s nonsensical statement with the factual statement that she was talking nonsense.
Unfortunately forums like this can have people spouting nonsense so it is important, especially when dealing with medical subjects that errors are corrected.
Incidentally I have read that if you place mushrooms outside in the sun (not behind glass) then they absorb vitamin D so if this is true it is a good way of boosting your intake naturally.

Esspee

According to the Vitamin D Council spending even a short time in the sun can provide the body with all the vitamin D it needs for the day.
A Cancer Research U.K. funded survey concluded that 9 minutes of lunchtime sunlight each day would be enough for Caucasians to remain above the deficient level of vitamin D throughout the year. Even people with darker brown skins may need only 25 mins exposure a day.

www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/causes-of-cancer/sun-uv-and-cancer/sun-and-vitamin-d

Who may not be getting enough vitamin D?
Since the start of the pandemic, more people are spending more time indoors. This increases the risk of vitamin D deficiency.

People who are at higher risk of vitamin D deficiency include:

People with naturally brown or dark brown skin
People who spend very little time in the sun. For example, those who are housebound, working from home or who stay indoors
People who usually wear clothes that cover up most of their skin when outdoors
People over the age of 65
Pregnant and breastfeeding women
Babies and children aged under 4

Should I take a vitamin D supplement?
In the UK, the NHS (link is external) recommends people at risk of vitamin D deficiency take a 10 microgram (400 I.U.) supplement throughout the year. The NHS also has recommendations for children and babies.

The government recommends that everyone takes a vitamin D supplement between October and the end of March, when the sun’s rays are weaker.

So…. What about me?
25 mins of full sun will make my face weep, crack and bleed. Pustules, such an attractive word, all over.
I prefer sunblock and a blood-free pillow. Unfortunately that leaves me chronically shot of vitamin d. Good job the Scottish government recommends a supplementary, which it will provide me with for free, but I can auto buy.

The specialist nurse at the DEXA clinic I attended said that 20 mins of sun on face, hands and forearms provided enough vitamin D but only between the months of May to September. The rest of the year it’s best to take a supplement. That’s in NE Scotland.

I’m baffled by the claim that The sun, even in high summer and laying out stark naked, does not provide enough vitamin D.
If that’s the case, why didn’t the human race die out eons ago?

According to the Vitamin D Council spending even a short time in the sun can provide the body with all the vitamin D it needs for the day.
A Cancer Research U.K. funded survey concluded that 9 minutes of lunchtime sunlight each day would be enough for Caucasians to remain above the deficient level of vitamin D throughout the year. Even people with darker brown skins may need only 25 mins exposure a day.

Nannagarra

Don’t be rude, Esspee. If your assertion is correct, can you explain why the government sent out vitamin D tablets to CEV people?

Because they don’t get out as much as the rest of us? You need to be outside with skin exposed and during covid many people who didn’t have gardens weren’t getting enough exposure to natural sunlight.

Because of osteopenia in 2009, my GP has prescribed D3 ever since. I personally think you should get advice from your GP so that you get the correct dose.

Thank you for all your replies. It seems there is not much difference between Vit D and D3. I think I will start taking them all year though as I tend to cover up or put sunscreen on in summer. Not sure about the other vits that seem to come bundled with Vit D, but will bear it all in mind.

In some countries including Canada and Sweden, VitD supplement is added to cows milk by law and has been since 1930s.

In reply to the original question. There is little difference between VIt D and Vit D3. The latter comes from animal sources, and the first is plant based.

Both should really be taken under GP advice, (whether on prescription or privately purchased), and be very aware that too much can be very dangerous and debilitating, and have long term bad effects.

Just be aware, that Vit D like all supplements can be overdosed. Just be careful.

DH, who takes strong drugs for Stage 4 cancer, takes VitD as advised by his Oncologist. He was told by her that the body does not make enough naturally, here. (London). He is about to have another bone density scan but so far has had good results.

Esspee

karmalady

The sun, even in high summer and laying out stark naked, does not provide enough vitamin D

You need the type called cholicalciferol and look into vit K to go with it. I am not giving any advice, you do the research

Absolute nonsense.

Your body makes most of the vitamin D it needs from sunshine, the remainder comes from food.

My knowledge freely given. Take it or leave it

I take Vitamin D3. A GP told me to take 1000mg per day indefinitely. I don't know the difference between D3 and vitamin D, but it should be OK. At the time, my vitamin D level was 11.

I was told about the calcium ,vitD and vit K tablet by a radiologist when I had my first mammogram at 50 now 64. Because of my joints I also take a cod liver oil tablet and folic acid as my levels where low my last blood test and had to have a 3 month course of tablets so to make sure it doesn't happen again I take the tablet. I also have B12 as I don't eat red meat just chicken and Quorn. Lots of pulses ,veg and fruit.

It's not just a question of being rude - it's just untrue. The majority of people in the UK can't make enough Vitamin D from sunlight or food, especially in winter.