Hi.
I found out today that I'm deficient in vitamin D. I only have a vague idea of how to read the diagnostics sheet my doctor gave me, but I'm about half of the lower side of the range for vitamin D. As my doctor said, my vitamin D levels are "in the shitter." I read a statistic online saying 85% of people are deficient in D. (Whether the stat is accurate or not is another story.) My doctor says if I don't do anything about it, that is, take a supplement or sun myself, that it will turn into osteoporosis when I'm older and possibly some other things. He didn't exactly say I'd get the big C, but asked if breast cancer runs in the family, which it does. Then he said women with high levels of vitamin D are less likely to get it. The ironic thing is that I've been going to great lengths to steer clear of the sun so as to avoid another cancer--skin cancer.
When you're young, you never think anything you do (or don't do) will catch up with you. And that being strict about certain things will make you live forever. I'm still young, but I'm beginning to see some symptoms of my life's choices catching up with me. I'm feeling fortunate that I have health care and that I can go to the doctor and be tested for important things like this. (The first thing I did after my appointment was buy D supplements.)
I'm going to go now to check on my baking yam. Incidentally, I've also added more fiber to my diet.
November 17, 2010
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Finally. I've been waiting for you to move and breathe and learn and live some more for forever it seems like. I'm sorry to learn you learned you're D deficient. I doubt you'll get the big C, though, as Laura Linney appears to be hogging it all for herself.
ReplyDeleteKeep eating and supplementing and be well in general, please.
Yams is yummy.
Also, they're interesting, so I checked your middle box.
It is a big time issue. Get your vitamin D.
ReplyDeleteI hear Nurse Ratchet talking about it all the time...
Cheers,
Bobby
Sorry, Vincent, had a lagged start at restarting this blog. Laura Linney can keep all the C she wants as far as I'm concerned.
ReplyDeleteBobby: I was pretty worried about my D, so you and Nurse Ratchet will be happy to know I got ultra strength D3, which is like 1200% of my daily value.
Human skin is designed to manufacture plenty of vitamin D when exposed to sunlight. Vitamin D deficiency is most commonly associated with shut-ins.
ReplyDeleteSupplements are good, but not the complete answer. Take a walk every day, young lady. Humans need to experience direct sunlight for an optimal existence. Strange, but true, I know, but true nonetheless.
Paul B! Hello! You're right--I think my deficiency has to do with my spending 8+ hours inside at work and coming out when it's dark. Time to start going for lunchtime walks around the city during my break :)
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