Vitamin D and Optimal Health

I buy the argument that Vitamin D does and will help significantly to conquer “The Virus” and other human physical deficits. I’m sorry but I’m still confused about the way Vitamin D is measured or quantified; there’s mcg, then Dry Vitamin D, IU and others. (I had the others here but have since thrown out the empty bottles.) I’m not much at researching for long HOW all that differs and what I need to look for. I’ll continue taking “D” of course. How much each day? I don’t really know. Whatever that particular bottle recommends, I suppose.

I am extremely interested in finding out about vitamin D and issues surrounding use in black and brown people. I was surprised that a question was not asked by the interviewer near the conclusion when he specifically talked about the concerns. I too want to learn more about dosage, quality of product and calcium use too.

Informative and helpful information. It provided more information than some other reputable websites I use. I didn’t expect brand names and am glad they didn’t provide any since I may have wondered if they were possibly influenced by the companies. Readers can check on their own, perhaps via Consumers Reports, a registered dietitian or local health store. Regarding D2 and D3, familiarize yourself and take responsibility by reading about the difference.

I find this a careful, responsible summary of the issues with Vitamin D. But I would like to have had information about the differences in D2 and D3. I have been taking 1,000 IU of D3 for many years. I will probably increase that in the winter as I live in the Pacific Northwest and will discuss the test for deficiency with my provider.

Don’t feel your download answers the question asked in the headline – Why do so many studies find that Vit D supplements make little difference either to Vit D deficient conditions or to mortality?

As someone who is reasonably health aware – like most People ‘s Pharmacy readers I suspect – I was expecting some information other than: many people are deficient, this is how much to take in a supplement, these are the signs of deficiency. There was no clear discussion, for instance, of the calcium link – take as well? how much? – nor was there any discussion of combining it with K2 (something that has been around for years), let alone anything new.

I’ve been taking a supplement in liquid form with K2 for about 2 years. My level is – unsurprisingly – at the high end, in fact a bit over, the level considered safe in UK. Your report gave no indication of how i could tell if the stuff in my blood was actually doing anything or whether there were any steps to take that might make a difference or indeed why trials had been so disappointing.

The overall content was informative as to the need for, and the distinction of the dietary supplement options.
My physician performed the 25 Hydroxy Vitamin D, and my results indicated an insufficiency, (at 19). His recommendation was, as you stated, to take an OTC multi-vitamin containing vitamin D, with no mention of dosage, which leads me to believe that this is an area where (some) GP’s might lack sufficient information on what a proper intake might be.
What I find lacking in this presentation, and was hoping for, was a more in-depth discussion of the myriad types of supplements presented on shelves today. For example:
There have been many postings regarding the swing of actual amounts present of the supplement among manufacturers, levels of lead and other metals found in some products that are of concern and not mentioned in the paper. A better address of the supplement with and without calcium would have also been helpful. My last sample showed traces of calcium crystals and I certainly don’t want to put myself at risk for kidney stones (which was noted in a sidebar). I was also hoping for (expecting) a modest list of brands that demonstrated proved accurate USP dosing (USP also not mentioned) and quality vs.price advice alternatives. Your website posting mentioned one brand (Vitashine?) but no mention of other market alternatives which may have come to your attention.
Kind of left to more online research (sigh) to find a reliable product choice(s) as I present several of the symptoms you refer to, and would just like to confidently go to the pharmacy and say “I’ll take this one.”
Other than that, thank you for some overly useful information. (and I always enjoy your radio show aired on WBGO).
Regards / KAUF