Comments on: Visions of Vitamin D Dancing through my Head http://www.tamaraduker.com/2009/12/visions-of-vitamin-d-dancing-through-my-head/ (and what's eating me) Wed, 08 Feb 2012 21:14:29 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Tamara http://www.tamaraduker.com/2009/12/visions-of-vitamin-d-dancing-through-my-head/comment-page-1/#comment-1010 Tamara Fri, 05 Feb 2010 02:49:41 +0000 http://www.tamaraduker.com/?p=1825#comment-1010 The concern w/ Vit D insufficiency is less about Ca absorption (you actually need to be overtly deficient to jeopardize the bones as far as D is concerned). Overt D deficiency is much rarer than insufficiency (which means you have enough for your bones but not enough for optimal non-bone health outcomes. Still, overt deficiency is not unheard of-- particularly if you're avoid the sun during Spring/summer. The problem w/ Vit D insufficiency is all of the other health outcomes... like the likelihood of increased risk for various digestive system cancers, autoimmune diseases, high blood pressure, diabetes, etc.... From that perspective, being vegan/whole-foods-eating will put you at a slight disadvantage, but honestly, not that big. This is because even mixed diets lack anywhere near the needed amounts of vitamin D, and even those people who drink milk and eat fish 2x/week will still not likely get enough Vit D from their diets to meet their needs. Most everyone who lives in a northern latitude, regardless of their diet, is likely going to require some sort of D supplementation for at least part of the year. They do sell vegan Vit D supplements made from algae (They're Vitamin D2, which is the plant source; Vitamin D3 is derived from lanolin, I believe. If you're a Vegan concerned about your bones, I'd be equally concerned about the calcium part of the equation... are you getting enough? The concern w/ Vit D insufficiency is less about Ca absorption (you actually need to be overtly deficient to jeopardize the bones as far as D is concerned). Overt D deficiency is much rarer than insufficiency (which means you have enough for your bones but not enough for optimal non-bone health outcomes. Still, overt deficiency is not unheard of– particularly if you’re avoid the sun during Spring/summer.

The problem w/ Vit D insufficiency is all of the other health outcomes… like the likelihood of increased risk for various digestive system cancers, autoimmune diseases, high blood pressure, diabetes, etc…. From that perspective, being vegan/whole-foods-eating will put you at a slight disadvantage, but honestly, not that big. This is because even mixed diets lack anywhere near the needed amounts of vitamin D, and even those people who drink milk and eat fish 2x/week will still not likely get enough Vit D from their diets to meet their needs. Most everyone who lives in a northern latitude, regardless of their diet, is likely going to require some sort of D supplementation for at least part of the year. They do sell vegan Vit D supplements made from algae (They’re Vitamin D2, which is the plant source; Vitamin D3 is derived from lanolin, I believe.

If you’re a Vegan concerned about your bones, I’d be equally concerned about the calcium part of the equation… are you getting enough?

]]> By: Irmhild http://www.tamaraduker.com/2009/12/visions-of-vitamin-d-dancing-through-my-head/comment-page-1/#comment-1009 Irmhild Thu, 04 Feb 2010 22:20:02 +0000 http://www.tamaraduker.com/?p=1825#comment-1009 Hm, so a processed food avoiding vegan, living in ireland, is putting their bones at risk? Or could they absorb enough calcium from their diet in some other way? Hm, so a processed food avoiding vegan, living in ireland, is putting their bones at risk? Or could they absorb enough calcium from their diet in some other way?

]]> By: Tamara http://www.tamaraduker.com/2009/12/visions-of-vitamin-d-dancing-through-my-head/comment-page-1/#comment-955 Tamara Tue, 22 Dec 2009 01:12:35 +0000 http://www.tamaraduker.com/?p=1825#comment-955 An adequate Vitamin D status increases calcium absorption, and this is why Calcium supplements also contain Vitamin D in them. However, the effect of Vitamin D on calcium absorption isn't instant, so it's not necessary to take Vitamin D and calcium at the exact same time in order to absorb the calcium-- the vitamin D in a given pill doesn't increase the absorption of the calcium in that same pill. They're paired together more for convenience than anything else, as most people aren't likely to want to take multiple separate supplements. However, you'll still benefit from a calcium supplement that doesn't have D in it, so long as you're getting your D in somehow (e.g., a separate supplement coupled with a D-rich diet.) An adequate Vitamin D status increases calcium absorption, and this is why Calcium supplements also contain Vitamin D in them. However, the effect of Vitamin D on calcium absorption isn’t instant, so it’s not necessary to take Vitamin D and calcium at the exact same time in order to absorb the calcium– the vitamin D in a given pill doesn’t increase the absorption of the calcium in that same pill. They’re paired together more for convenience than anything else, as most people aren’t likely to want to take multiple separate supplements. However, you’ll still benefit from a calcium supplement that doesn’t have D in it, so long as you’re getting your D in somehow (e.g., a separate supplement coupled with a D-rich diet.)

]]> By: Overactive Immune System http://www.tamaraduker.com/2009/12/visions-of-vitamin-d-dancing-through-my-head/comment-page-1/#comment-954 Overactive Immune System Mon, 21 Dec 2009 16:14:59 +0000 http://www.tamaraduker.com/?p=1825#comment-954 Very comprehensive and useful information! I have heard that if you take calcium supplements you also need to take Vitamin D. Is this correct? Very comprehensive and useful information!
I have heard that if you take calcium supplements you also need to take Vitamin D.
Is this correct?

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