Posted by Larry Hoover on December 18, 2004, at 9:35:18
In reply to Vit D and light boxes etc............, posted by TeeJay on December 17, 2004, at 22:32:51
> I've been taking 800iu of vit d for a few days now as a bit of an experiment.
>
> Anyway I was doing some more reading tonight and found this interesting piece which is the most comprehensive article i've read on vit d and its possible uses in the mentally ill.
>
> One paragraph speaks of using artificial lamps to increase the bodys vit D......I can only presume this is the therapeutic action of the light boxes some use for SAD.
>
> http://www.cholecalciferol-council.com/vitamin_D_and_mental_illness.htm
>
> TeejayThe wavelength of light required to produce vitamin D in the skin is sometimes called UV-B. SAD light boxes are specially filtered to block all UV-B. It is tempting to attribute the influence of phototherapy to vitamin D formation, but it cannot be so.
A simple rule of thumb with respect to artificial light sources and vitamin D production is that only lights which can cause dermal burns can produce vitamin D. So, the sort of lights that are used in those tanning shops produce vitamin D (and may be responsible for the sense some have that having a tan makes them feel better).
A more recent study than is included in your referenced report (an excellent review, as you say) demonstrates the supplemental intake on the order of 4000 IU vitamin D is most likely to optimize the 25-OHD activity, and related serum parameters.
I want to emphasize that the current RDA and similar dietary intake recommendations are intended solely to reduce the likelihood of rickets and osteopenia to 95% risk. This is not an optimal intake recommendation.
Lar
poster:Larry Hoover
thread:431086
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/alter/20041212/msgs/431184.html