Dr. Mercola November 06 2007 47,299 views
I live in NZ which has a thin ozone layer. The greater UV exposure gives us a much greater risk of malignant melanoma (skin cancer) than anywhere else, so it's a balancing act
Fred, new studies show that the people affected most by malignate melanomas are people who don't get enough sunshine. Would you believe that It happens most to MEN in their fifties who work outside and the melanomas are on places on their bodies that never see the sun? Check out http://www.uvfoundation.org/ or www.vitamindcouncil.com or http://www.sunarc.org/ for some very interesting information.
"Sunlight plays a vital role in the production of beneficial vitamin D in the body. Although food provides some vitamin D, up to 90 per cent comes from exposure to sunlight." Remember that if you are going to take a supplement to take Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) and not Vitamin D2 (ergocalciferol). The body must convert D2 to D3. D3 is what the body makes with sunshine. You should have your Vitamin D levels checked also.
Only today I had bought 3 bottles of 1000 UI vitamin D for myself, my husband and my sons (we live above 45degrees latitude, plus I have MS). The happy coincidence made that I read dr. Mercola's article before I opened the bottles. Again, I'm grateful to dr. Mercola for allowing the discussions and sharing of experience on this site. Very useful information.
It seems to me that supplementing with D3 is very controversial, and there's lots of information regarding this subject. Before I open the vit. D bottles, I have to research more, and get tested for the level of vit. D in the blood. Again, thank you all.
You have a special situation. If you have MS and live in Canada you are virtually GUARANTEED to be vitamin D deficient. Over 95% in Canada are deficient. So it is safe to take the D now. The value of testing is that it will show you how low you actually are. You may actually need 10,000 units of vitamin D every day. The key is to use that test as your GOLD standard
You need testing EVERY month. As you near the optimum, or about February perhaps March cut down or stop and make sure you switch to REAL sunshine.
Ideally you will also want to look at the new tanning bed which we are introducing VERY soon. It is less than $1000 US (so less in Canada) and will provide all the safe benefits of sunshine tanning with virtually no risk of overdose.
Far better than oral vitamin D. But either way start the oral ASAP!
Thank you dr. Mercola for your excellent online consultation! I will follow your advice and I'm sure many others in my situation will benefit from your advice as well!