Vitamin Supplements

[Mr.B-Campag]

Interesting, and surprising, that 6 or 7 (from a quick count) people on this thread - including myself - report that they tested low for vitamin D, or are at least taking it on medical advice.

I was surprised when I tested low as I generally think I have a decent diet, including oily fish. I am, however, pretty assiduous about avoiding exposure to sunlight. I always cover my arms, use loads of factor 50, only wear shorts for cycling, wear a hat and so on if it's sunny.

Not exactly a scientific sample, but I found it surprising.

See the post above yours from yello. Also on the pod Spector notes how low vitamin d levels (again however defined) are common in Australia as everyone smothers themselves in suncream and/or avoid the sun completely. Assuming you're in the UK the precautions you are taking sound excessive (and I say that as someone with light skin and freckles).

 

[Dogtrousers]

the precautions you are taking sound excessive

Nope. I have fair skin and burn easily.

 

[Mr.B-Campag]

Nope. I have fair skin and burn easily.

As I noted in my post, so do I. I get we all have different tolerance for risk. My take is extremes (both in this and in life and general) are not usually the best places to be.

 

[N0bodyOfTheGoat]

Maybe I knew but forgot due to age, given biological science was my education speciality decades ago, but I was quite shocked when it came out early in the covid pandemic that vit D helped the immune system. In my head, it was simply helping bones.

 

[Dogtrousers]

As I noted in my post, so do I. I get we all have different tolerance for risk. My take is extremes (both in this and in life and general) are not usually the best places to be.

So what exactly do you consider "extreme"? Wearing a hat in the sun? Using factor 50? Covering my arms? All of these are standard advice. Do they make me some kind of crazy radical?

I don't like sunburn. It hurts.

 

[Mr.B-Campag]

Yup I'm no fan of sunburn either. The way you've described what you do sounds extreme to me, but again perhaps there is more nuance that you've not conveyed.

 

[Dogtrousers]

Yup I'm no fan of sunburn either. The way you've described what you do sounds extreme to me, but again perhaps there is more nuance that you've not conveyed.

The only thing I do that is outside of standard advice for direct sun is that I don't wear shorts, except for cycling. But that's how I grew up. Shorts were for sporting activities only. I don't think I own any shorts other than cycling ones and ones I wear in the gym.

The rest is just common sense burn avoidance and in line with current advice.

 

[Mr.B-Campag]

The only thing I do that is outside of standard advice for direct sun is that I don't wear shorts, except for cycling. But that's how I grew up. Shorts were for sporting activities only. I don't think I own any shorts other than cycling ones and ones I wear in the gym.

The rest is just common sense burn avoidance and in line with current advice.

I think we're in agree to disagree territory on this one. Like I said we all have different levels of risk tolerance.

 

[Dogtrousers]

I think we're in agree to disagree territory on this one. Like I said we all have different levels of risk tolerance.

Just to guage your level of risk tolerance...

Do you use sunblock?
Do you wear a hat in direct sun?
Do you wear clothing that protects you from. UV?

https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/causes-of-cancer/sun-uv-and-cancer/sun-safety

 

[Mr.B-Campag]

Well, it depends! I'll usually check what the UV index is when I'm going outside - I now live somewhere where the sun is far stronger than in the UK - though generally I have an idea what it will be at during different parts of the day and throughout the year. So if for some reason I have to go out when the UV is high and/or I will be out in the sun for quite a while when it is medium then I will use sunblock - eg on a bike ride. I'll also wear it more at the beach as the reflections from the sand and water make it necessary. However, mostly I'm able to program my schedule to avoid having to do that. But say I'm going out in the middle of the day for ten minutes or so to the shops I wouldn't use any sunblock but I'd seek to use what shade is available if walking. I generally wear a hat, as much to protect my eyes as anything but equally because facial skin seems more sensitive. I wear normal clothing including shorts when appropriate (a lot of the time) as it's hot where I am. I don't use any sunblock in the winter as I want to try and generate vitamin d (which is possible where I am).

I'm very aware of the dangers - I've had family who have had skin cancer. I also got burned as a child which is a big risk factor. In fact I went to a dermatologist last week as something had changed on me that I didn't like the look of. I also intend to go to a hospital here shortly and get a full body mapping done (not sure of the correct terminology) so I can monitor things going forward. I definitely wouldn't describe myself as a risk loving person! But it's all relative I guess.

Does that seem unreasonable? Interested to hear your thoughts @Dogtrousers .

 

[Dogtrousers]

Does that seem unreasonable? Interested to hear your thoughts @Dogtrousers .

Sounds sensible. It's not a million miles from what I do. Except I don't wear shorts and rarely go to beaches. But those are just personal choices, nothing to do with risk.

I've also taken to wearing white UV arm protectors when cycling in a short sleeved jersey. Maybe that's the extreme bit.

 

[Mr.B-Campag]

Sounds sensible. It's not a million miles from what I do. Except I don't wear shorts and rarely go to beaches. But those are just personal choices, nothing to do with risk.

I've also taken to wearing white UV arm protectors when cycling in a short sleeved jersey. Maybe that's the extreme bit.

I wouldn't say so, I've got some of those too. Saying that I've not worn them yet but that's probably because I've not done any long rides for a while sadly. As I said in my mind at least your original description seemed to imply that you were almost completely avoiding the sun and covering yourself in sunblock whenever you go out. But if you're basically doing the same as me it must be right ;-)