Comments on: Good Day Sunshine (and Vitamin D, too) http://www.blisstree.com/articles/good-day-sunshine-and-vitamin-d-too/ Family, Health, Home and Lifestyles Sun, 06 Dec 2009 12:06:18 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Marian Ayres http://www.blisstree.com/articles/good-day-sunshine-and-vitamin-d-too/comment-page-1/#comment-565210 Marian Ayres Sun, 24 May 2009 03:35:02 +0000 http://www.autismvox.com/good-day-sunshine-and-vitamin-d-too/#comment-565210 I don't think a lack of vitamin D alone will cause autism. I'm not an expert on autism or a doctor but I am a teacher and mother of 2 autistic kids. In general autistic children are low in several essential minerals and vitamins. One of those is vitamin D so I can see how sun exposure may help some of them. I don't think we'll ever find 1 cause for all autistic kids but rather a variety of causes that are mostly environmental and have something to do with an impaired immune system. So the cure or treatments won't be the exact same thing for each child. I can tell you that I have witnessed myself autistic students in my classroom that seem to have better days behavior wise when it is sunny and warm and they have recess outside. They seem to be totally different children on these days. I often wondered if this was a coincidence or if going outside for fresh air (getting out of the building which may have toxins) and getting some sunshine (vitamin D) was the reason they had better days. Interesting. For those of you who think autism and all the treatments are quakery or kookery you are entitled to your opinion its a free country. However, I live with autism 24 7 and it is real. I wouldn't wish for anyone to have to go through what I've experienced. The world didn't advance and get to the point it did with all the inventions and discoveries without those who didn't try to do something different out of the ordinary. Autism is here to stay sadly. Even if you aren't autistic, have a child that's autistic or even know someone who is, it affects you - EVERYONE. I have the utmost respect for anyone who takes the time and energy to help find cures or interventions for this most complex disability. I don’t think a lack of vitamin D alone will cause autism. I’m not an expert on autism or a doctor but I am a teacher and mother of 2 autistic kids. In general autistic children are low in several essential minerals and vitamins. One of those is vitamin D so I can see how sun exposure may help some of them. I don’t think we’ll ever find 1 cause for all autistic kids but rather a variety of causes that are mostly environmental and have something to do with an impaired immune system. So the cure or treatments won’t be the exact same thing for each child. I can tell you that I have witnessed myself autistic students in my classroom that seem to have better days behavior wise when it is sunny and warm and they have recess outside. They seem to be totally different children on these days. I often wondered if this was a coincidence or if going outside for fresh air (getting out of the building which may have toxins) and getting some sunshine (vitamin D) was the reason they had better days. Interesting. For those of you who think autism and all the treatments are quakery or kookery you are entitled to your opinion its a free country. However, I live with autism 24 7 and it is real. I wouldn’t wish for anyone to have to go through what I’ve experienced. The world didn’t advance and get to the point it did with all the inventions and discoveries without those who didn’t try to do something different out of the ordinary. Autism is here to stay sadly. Even if you aren’t autistic, have a child that’s autistic or even know someone who is, it affects you – EVERYONE. I have the utmost respect for anyone who takes the time and energy to help find cures or interventions for this most complex disability.

]]> By: Regan http://www.blisstree.com/articles/good-day-sunshine-and-vitamin-d-too/comment-page-1/#comment-563991 Regan Mon, 13 Oct 2008 20:09:04 +0000 http://www.autismvox.com/good-day-sunshine-and-vitamin-d-too/#comment-563991 <a href="http://www.boston.com/news/health/articles/2008/10/13/doctors_double_vitamin_d_for_children/"><b>Doctors double vitamin D for children</b></a> Boston Globe October 13, 2008 <i>"...That's why today the American Academy of Pediatrics is set to announce it is doubling the amount of vitamin D it recommends for infants, children, and adolescents to 400 IU a day, beginning in the first few days of life..."</i> Doctors double vitamin D for children
Boston Globe October 13, 2008
“…That’s why today the American Academy of Pediatrics is set to announce it is doubling the amount of vitamin D it recommends for infants, children, and adolescents to 400 IU a day, beginning in the first few days of life…”

]]> By: Regan http://www.blisstree.com/articles/good-day-sunshine-and-vitamin-d-too/comment-page-1/#comment-560694 Regan Fri, 10 Oct 2008 08:11:20 +0000 http://www.autismvox.com/good-day-sunshine-and-vitamin-d-too/#comment-560694 Boy howdy, I hesitate to post this because I can anticipate some, "See, see...". Rather than thinking about the "cause" of autism, what I had been thinking about is the issue of possible decreased bone density in autistic boys compared to typical which Kristina had written about in a <a href="http://www.autismvox.com/dont-got-milk/">different blog post</a>. In the last month, both my doctor and the pediatrician had discussions with me about my and Eleanor's vitamin D intake. Both of us had blood tests as part of our physicals: I have been put on a D3 supplement (cheap) and Eleanor's was all right, but because of her milk restriction, she has already been on a calcium+vitamin D supplement for some time. Part of the contributory reason for all this solicitude may be that the American Academy of Pediatrics has just issued new guideline recommendations (and that we are above 42 degree north latitude.) <a href="http://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/vitamind.asp"><b>Dietary Supplement Fact Sheet: Vitamin D</b></a> Office of Dietary Supplements National Institutes of Health About the sun exposure we were talking about, "Sun exposure <i>Most people meet their vitamin D needs through exposure to sunlight [6,27]. Ultraviolet (UV) B radiation with a wavelength of 290-315 nanometers penetrates uncovered skin and converts cutaneous 7-dehydrocholesterol to previtamin D3, which in turn becomes vitamin D3 [11,27-28]. Season, geographic latitude, time of day, cloud cover, smog, skin melanin content, and sunscreen are among the factors that affect UV radiation exposure and vitamin D synthesis [28]. The UV energy above 42 degrees north latitude (a line approximately between the northern border of California and Boston) is insufficient for cutaneous vitamin D synthesis from November through February [6]; in far northern latitudes, this reduced intensity lasts for up to 6 months...</i> Just FYI. Boy howdy,
I hesitate to post this because I can anticipate some, “See, see…”.
Rather than thinking about the “cause” of autism, what I had been thinking about is the issue of possible decreased bone density in autistic boys compared to typical which Kristina had written about in a different blog post.

In the last month, both my doctor and the pediatrician had discussions with me about my and Eleanor’s vitamin D intake. Both of us had blood tests as part of our physicals: I have been put on a D3 supplement (cheap) and Eleanor’s was all right, but because of her milk restriction, she has already been on a calcium+vitamin D supplement for some time.
Part of the contributory reason for all this solicitude may be that the American Academy of Pediatrics has just issued new guideline recommendations (and that we are above 42 degree north latitude.)

Dietary Supplement Fact Sheet: Vitamin D
Office of Dietary Supplements
National Institutes of Health

About the sun exposure we were talking about,
“Sun exposure
Most people meet their vitamin D needs through exposure to sunlight [6,27]. Ultraviolet (UV) B radiation with a wavelength of 290-315 nanometers penetrates uncovered skin and converts cutaneous 7-dehydrocholesterol to previtamin D3, which in turn becomes vitamin D3 [11,27-28]. Season, geographic latitude, time of day, cloud cover, smog, skin melanin content, and sunscreen are among the factors that affect UV radiation exposure and vitamin D synthesis [28]. The UV energy above 42 degrees north latitude (a line approximately between the northern border of California and Boston) is insufficient for cutaneous vitamin D synthesis from November through February [6]; in far northern latitudes, this reduced intensity lasts for up to 6 months…

Just FYI.

]]> By: The Puzzling Spectrum of Autism Causes http://www.blisstree.com/articles/good-day-sunshine-and-vitamin-d-too/comment-page-1/#comment-554976 The Puzzling Spectrum of Autism Causes Mon, 05 May 2008 18:27:41 +0000 http://www.autismvox.com/good-day-sunshine-and-vitamin-d-too/#comment-554976 [...] do TV, ultrasounds, insufficient vitamin D, air pollution, a mother having the flu while pregnant, mercury, have to do with each [...] [...] do TV, ultrasounds, insufficient vitamin D, air pollution, a mother having the flu while pregnant, mercury, have to do with each [...]

]]> By: Mama73 http://www.blisstree.com/articles/good-day-sunshine-and-vitamin-d-too/comment-page-1/#comment-540195 Mama73 Wed, 19 Mar 2008 00:57:16 +0000 http://www.autismvox.com/good-day-sunshine-and-vitamin-d-too/#comment-540195 Sunscreen effectively prevents you from making Vitamin D. So if you go out in the sun, but are covered up chemically or physically it won't work. Also, if you are dark skinned or overweight, you need more sun exposure to produce the same amount of Vitamin D. And about rickets...in Chicago they are seeing an increase in cases. Sunscreen effectively prevents you from making Vitamin D. So if you go out in the sun, but are covered up chemically or physically it won’t work.

Also, if you are dark skinned or overweight, you need more sun exposure to produce the same amount of Vitamin D.

And about rickets…in Chicago they are seeing an increase in cases.

]]> By: weaver http://www.blisstree.com/articles/good-day-sunshine-and-vitamin-d-too/comment-page-1/#comment-540562 weaver Sat, 03 Nov 2007 20:19:22 +0000 http://www.autismvox.com/good-day-sunshine-and-vitamin-d-too/#comment-540562 Try looking at the sunscreen/sunblock itself as likely cause of autism & A.D.D. Young girls slathering on toxic lotions, going into high gear about the time of first ovulation. These outbreaks coincide with the advent of sunscreens. I'd be willing to bet that the "epidemic" in autism is higher in mothers hailing from sunbelt regions. Sure, take the kid out in the sun, but make sure s/he's chemically treated first. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sunscreen#Sun_protection_factor Try looking at the sunscreen/sunblock itself as likely cause of autism & A.D.D.

Young girls slathering on toxic lotions, going into high gear about the time of first ovulation. These outbreaks coincide with the advent of sunscreens.

I’d be willing to bet that the “epidemic” in autism is higher in mothers hailing from sunbelt regions.

Sure, take the kid out in the sun, but make sure s/he’s chemically treated first.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sunscreen#Sun_protection_factor

]]> By: Kristina Chew, PhD http://www.blisstree.com/articles/good-day-sunshine-and-vitamin-d-too/comment-page-1/#comment-535683 Kristina Chew, PhD Wed, 11 Jul 2007 16:35:18 +0000 http://www.autismvox.com/good-day-sunshine-and-vitamin-d-too/#comment-535683 Fortunately it being summer, one can recommend that we all go out in the sun (with sunscreen, as needed). Fortunately it being summer, one can recommend that we all go out in the sun (with sunscreen, as needed).

]]> By: passionlessDrone http://www.blisstree.com/articles/good-day-sunshine-and-vitamin-d-too/comment-page-1/#comment-535686 passionlessDrone Wed, 11 Jul 2007 16:26:57 +0000 http://www.autismvox.com/good-day-sunshine-and-vitamin-d-too/#comment-535686 Hello friends - Some parents of autstic children might be surprized to find what their child's level of vitamin D actually are. Or parents of any children. We live in Florida; Luke spends at least an hour outside every day; more like 4 hours a day on weekends. We gave him large doses of vitamin D via cod liver oil for a full month before testing, and still his levels of vitamin D were in the bottom 2% of the population. Does this 'cause' his autism? Probably not. Perhaps it is just a coincidence. But if a variety of metabolic processes are impaired, as they frequently are with autism, assuming that just because you are spending time in the sun you are converting vitamin D may not be accurate. Of course, vitamin d related problems have long been implicated in auto immune disorders. Take care! -pD Hello friends –

Some parents of autstic children might be surprized to find what their child’s level of vitamin D actually are. Or parents of any children.

We live in Florida; Luke spends at least an hour outside every day; more like 4 hours a day on weekends. We gave him large doses of vitamin D via cod liver oil for a full month before testing, and still his levels of vitamin D were in the bottom 2% of the population.

Does this ’cause’ his autism? Probably not. Perhaps it is just a coincidence. But if a variety of metabolic processes are impaired, as they frequently are with autism, assuming that just because you are spending time in the sun you are converting vitamin D may not be accurate. Of course, vitamin d related problems have long been implicated in auto immune disorders.

Take care!

-pD

]]> By: MJ http://www.blisstree.com/articles/good-day-sunshine-and-vitamin-d-too/comment-page-1/#comment-535688 MJ Wed, 11 Jul 2007 15:49:41 +0000 http://www.autismvox.com/good-day-sunshine-and-vitamin-d-too/#comment-535688 "Where do you live, if I may ask, MJ?" Around Pittsburgh PA “Where do you live, if I may ask, MJ?”

Around Pittsburgh PA

]]> By: Ted Hutchinson http://www.blisstree.com/articles/good-day-sunshine-and-vitamin-d-too/comment-page-1/#comment-535730 Ted Hutchinson Wed, 11 Jul 2007 08:27:31 +0000 http://www.autismvox.com/good-day-sunshine-and-vitamin-d-too/#comment-535730 "Nutritional vitamin D status during pregnancy: reasons for concern " a paper by Bruce W. Hollis and Carol L. Wagner sets out some of the reasons why we need to encourage pregnant and nursing mothers to increase Vitamin D intake. One of the unexpected outcomes of his research into using the effective amounts of Vitamin D3 our bodies' would naturally acquire from regular limited sun exposure, a 70% reduction in Colds & Flu is detailed in the independent online article "The sunshine superstar: study reveals Vitamin D as 'wonder vitamin' " Most people in the UK are Vitamin D insufficient according to "Hypovitaminosis D in British adults at age 45 y: nationwide cohort study of dietary and lifestyle predictors" There is no reason to assume that younger women are likely to have higher vitamin D status "Inadequate Vitamin D Levels Common Among Children " shows that the situation of children with low Vitamin d status is found when looked for. Most Vitamin D researchers support "The urgent need to recommend an intake of vitamin D that is effective" Because Vitamin D3 is not patentable it is very cheap or free from sunlight so NO ONE can make a profit promoting it's use. The session by Robert P. Heaney, M.D. Creighton University "Normal/Abnormal Vitamin D Physiology." From the most recent Vitamin D conference Contemporary Diagnosis and Treatment of Vitamin D-Related Disorders (available online) explains in detail the importance of generally higher Vitamin D3 status than most of the population in the UK/USA generally achieve. “Nutritional vitamin D status during pregnancy: reasons for concern ” a paper by Bruce W. Hollis and Carol L. Wagner sets out some of the reasons why we need to encourage pregnant and nursing mothers to increase Vitamin D intake.

One of the unexpected outcomes of his research into using the effective amounts of Vitamin D3 our bodies’ would naturally acquire from regular limited sun exposure, a 70% reduction in Colds & Flu is detailed in the independent online article “The sunshine superstar: study reveals Vitamin D as ‘wonder vitamin’ ”

Most people in the UK are Vitamin D insufficient according to “Hypovitaminosis D in British adults at age 45 y: nationwide cohort study of dietary and lifestyle predictors” There is no reason to assume that younger women are likely to have higher vitamin D status “Inadequate Vitamin D Levels Common Among Children ” shows that the situation of children with low Vitamin d status is found when looked for.

Most Vitamin D researchers support “The urgent need to recommend an intake of vitamin D that is effective”

Because Vitamin D3 is not patentable it is very cheap or free from sunlight so NO ONE can make a profit promoting it’s use.

The session by Robert P. Heaney, M.D. Creighton University “Normal/Abnormal Vitamin D Physiology.”
From the most recent Vitamin D conference Contemporary Diagnosis and Treatment of Vitamin D-Related Disorders (available online) explains in detail the importance of generally higher Vitamin D3 status than most of the population in the UK/USA generally achieve.

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