Another interesting study. Of course what it doesn't mention is quality of life. Realise my title is misleading sorry. It is advocating that nutritional needs should be met through food not supplements.
I totally agree! Food as medicine is a natural concept,we are truly what we eat.
Another study identifying the possible danger of taking certain supplements without medical advice. Vitamin D doubling cancer rates is a concern [ based on comments from the Telegraph citing this study]
Sorry, I phrased that badly. I was simply referring to the study linked by Bagrat above. I don’t have the full text, but I have referred to the interpretation of the study by the Daily Telegraph health correspondent on the 9th April 2019 on page 7, titled “Calcium pills designed to beat osteoporosis double risk of death from cancer”.
It was your reference to vit D that made me ask. All epidemiological studies show that there is an association between vit D deficiency and all sorts of cancers particularly breast and colon. Indeed the Russians discovered more than 40 years ago that women who sunbathed topless had lower incidences of breast cancer.
Agreed. I think the problem is more one of taking high dose vitamin D supplements without any biochemical evidence of deficiency. As you know, vitamin D is fat soluble and accumulates more readily than the water soluble vitamins B and C. NHS recommendations are clear on this, I am aware they are different in France.
Our deficiency levels are in line with international levels. The UK ones are very low which may reflect the fact that vitamin d from the sun is pretty elusive there and therefore deficient is normal!
I think the vit d researchers like Holick are the people to listen to. They have tested Masai herdsmen who still live in "evolutionary" conditions although they probably expose less flesh wearing shorts and t shirts than their ancestors did. They have found on average a vit d level from sun exposure around 50 ng /l. In uk measurements this is 125nmol/l and way above what is considered adequate there. Holick considers a level between 40 and 60 should be aimed for. This is practically impossible to achieve through sun exposure in countries like the uk where it is only possible to make vit d in the skin between mid April and mid Sept and then only with round midday exposure of mosh of the body. And that is not taking into account pollution. Holick himself takes 3000iu a day .
I am lucky in that I have a good GP who discovered my severe deficiency. Despite living outside for lots of the year ( gardening) I was not actively sun bathing or exposing enough flesh as I have fairish skin and do not tan easily. My levels were dire which shows that the uk advice that all you need to do to acheive sufficient levels is expose your arms and face a few times a week for 20 min or so is bollocks. Holick has tables in his book for sun exposure for different seasons and latitudes and emphasises that it is the trunk and thighs that makethe most vit d. Virtually none is made by face or hands. 70 year olds make a third as much as 20 year olds.
Just thought l would tell you about one of my oldest friends who is well in her 80's and lives with her 39 cats..
In the 45 yrs l have known her l have never ever seen her eat anything only occassionaly a small piece of mouldy cheese and a cracker plus every so often an everything thrown into the pot veggie casserole ,skin and stalks included...
All washed down by a very very large G&T every evening 6 o'clock on the dot...
The only time l have known her to be ill was 10 yrs ago when she had a single mastectomy...but was back on her feet one week later...
She still teaches Spanish and French as well as Ballet and Yoga to the over 50's..
Oh l nearly forgot she has just moved house across country one with a large Barn attatched to house all her cats...
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