Vitamin D

[makbike]

I had lunch with my best friend today and learned she like myself suffers from low levels of vitamin D. Her levels are so low she takes a high dose once a week (prescription). My levels are not that low (40 ng/ml) but was advised by my endocrinologist to up my oral intake. Prior to my recent test I was taking 600 IU in my Ca/Mg/Vit D supplement plus the 400 IU in my multi-vitamin not to mention my hours in the sun (I don't use sunscreen - I know this is bad). I have recently added 1000 IU vitamin D supplement but will not repeat my blood work until Jan. 2009. We both consume a lot of dairy products on a daily basis. Both of us were shocked by our recent blood test results. We both were confused by our low levels given the current factors (prescription for her, oral supplements, sun exposure, etc). Are there factors, situations, foods, etc which block the absorption of vitamin D?

[mimitabby]

wow, i'd heard that people in the pacific Northwest were Vit d deficient, but you're a person that lives in Kentucky AND goes outside AND doesn't use sunscreen. I'm baffled. Clothing of course blocks absorption..
I think our ancestors lived outside and didn't wear a lot of clothing. they probably had good Vit D levels! and the eskimos who also lived outside but DID wear a lot of clothing, ate a lot of food with Vit D in it which kept them healthier.

Take the supplements, i've read the dose you get from being outside all day in the sun is 10,000 units, so those vit pills won't hurt you.

[Zen]

Compromised liver function is a possible factor.The liver synthesizes vitamin D Age is a factor too.
As we age, the less our bodies naturally absorb vitamin D.

[makbike]

My liver enzymes were all within the normal ranges. I do take Crestor 10 mg daily to control my high cholesterol levels. Exercise and diet did nothing to bring these numbers down.

[mimitabby]

and i'm not so sure that going without your sunscreen is so bad. they've found that people who get skin cancers are not apt to get the other really bad cancers that kill people..
So protecting against skin cancer is maybe not the best thing to do?

it's all so complicated, but we're part of an ecosystem. Our ancestors didn't wear sunscreen (except maybe dirt and lice!)