Vitamin D pills' effect on healthy bones queried

[xchrom]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-24473156

Healthy adults do not need to take vitamin D supplements, suggests a study in The Lancet which found they had no beneficial effect on bone density, a sign of osteoporosis.

But experts say many other factors could be at play and people should not stop taking supplements.

University of Auckland researchers analysed 23 studies involving more than 4,000 healthy people.

The UK government recommends children and over-65s take a daily supplement.

[dipsydoodle]

1. Taking supplements assumes your body does at least store them.

My own daughter's body doesn't. Her vit D level continually slips down to a joke level. That is monitored with blood tests every 3 months or so and when necessary she has a bulk slow release jab into a muscle. She also has calcium tablets as a supplement.

[question everything]

4. I have the same problem. And Vitamin D is vital for a properly functioning immune system

For the past three years I could not have it above 30. So every few months they prescribe 50,000 units a week for six weeks, test several months later - no improvement.

Then, it was the nurse at my allergist, of all places. They also treat asthma patients so they monitor Vitamin D - and she said that a doctor in Arizona told a patient to take 10 min sun bath. Not sun bathing, but sun bath. Ten minutes, no sun screen on the belly.

I later found two articles that confirmed the same idea

http://www.naturalnews.com/030500_vitamin_D_absorption.html

http://www.wikihow.com/Best-Absorb-Vitamin-D-Supplements

And decided to give it a try. It was July warm and sunny. I would expose my belly and thighs to sun for 10 minutes. These articles specifically say no arms or legs or back.

Two weeks later I went to the clinic and the lab technician said: oh, you are due for Vitamin D check. OK

And... it was 42! After two weeks. Really 10 days. I do it during a work day even though I do have privacy and it is not as if I am naked.

Don't know what will do now that the days are shorter and getting colder but, at least, come April I will start again. Until then I take supplements.

[HuckleB]

5. There are individuals who may need supplementation.

The point of the study is that most people do not.

Also, Natural News is not a source you want to go to... It's wildly anti-science, pro conspiracy theory, and just plain old whacko.

[question everything]

6. True. And I do take Vitamin D supplements

But I was just reporting my own experience which was really amazing.

Last year we spent a week in Los Angeles where we were walking for at least an hour every day. It was September and very hot and I used sun screen but some parts of my upper back and neck got a bit burned since my top was loose and was shifting.

Still, a week or two later, back home, my blood was tested and I was still low, below 30 and back to 50,000 units a week for six weeks. And several months later still low and so it went.

[fitman]

2. The best way keep strong bones and even strengthen them

is to lift weights..especially for women..and lift hard-as much as you can..not those 2 lb pink weights..

Women, you will not get bulky either..just sexy toned. The women you see with huge muscles are on the juice..

http://healthyliving.azcentral.com/weight-training-affect-bones-1951.html

[SheilaT]

3. Most people do not need to take supplements.

What they need to do is eat real food. Not too much. Mostly vegetables. And I'm not the originator of that advice.

Alas, this thread will now no doubt be overwhelmed by poster who will talk about all their deficiencies and how they need to take mega doses of this or that to be remotely normal.

I know that genetics and various other things matter, but I keep on coming back to the fact that I don't take any dietary supplements nor prescription meds, and I'm the healthiest person I know.