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Vitamin D is good

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 11/1/2011 11:16 AM (GMT 0)
another proof here:

http://www.webmd.com/ibd-crohns-disease/crohns-disease/news/20111031/southerners-may-be-less-likely-to-have-crohns

Should we move to Florida? It seems that levels of 60-70ng/ml are optimal.
Posted 11/1/2011 11:45 AM (GMT 0)
I grew up in South Florida (moved here at age 5) moved back north after college, got UC at age 46 and then moved back to Florida full time at that age (co-incidence). I can see the connection about Vitamin D being one of the factors, perhaps lowering the immune system enough to allow UC in.

I was in the sun a lot in my lifetime both north and south playing tennis but obeyed the powers that be and wore lots of sunscreen which did not allow sun penetration on skin. Perhaps sunscreen is a factor on why more people are getting UC. Now I don't wear it and rarely get any sunburn even being in the sun a lot.

I do not notice any UC improvement due to sun but I feel better overall in sunshine and my husband will not live anywhere less sunny and warm that Florida. He hates gray skies and cold weather lol.
Posted 11/1/2011 12:23 PM (GMT 0)
Dr. Stone,

Thanks for posting.

But unfortunately just because you live in Florida, doesn't necessarily mean you actually get more vit. d through sun exposure.

Going in and out of the car, just  doesn't do it. You have to get 30 minutes of full exposure WITHOUT any sunscreen and optimal exposure time should be between 11-2pm.

Unless you are a tourist visiting Florida, and laying on our wonderful beaches, that disqualifies most of us, haha.

That's even more reason for everyone, even those living in FLA to get their vit. d levels tested.

I know lots of folks who live in Fla, who need to supplement with massive doses of vit. d (me included), so the assumption that if you live in Fla, your vitamin d levels will be ok is flawed.

 

Posted 11/1/2011 12:35 PM (GMT 0)
Even those who get regular sun exposure in Florida or other sunny states, can be D deficient. The jury is still out on Vitamin D, much yet to learn about its role in health. But it is true that one cannot absorb calcium without D and for women over age 35 that is very important.

Sue
Posted 11/1/2011 1:02 PM (GMT 0)
I discussed this issue with my GI doc. His answer was "the highest incidences of UC/Crohns are in Israel and many other warm countries and states in the US"
I did a bit of my own research and found that California and many other south-western states have a higher per-capita rate of IBD than in the east where I live.
Vitamin D is good for us all, no doubt, but moving to a warmer climate doesn't seem to do much in terms of lessening your symptoms or chances of being diagnosed in the first place.

Post Edited (beatUC) : 11/1/2011 8:12:30 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 11/1/2011 4:21 PM (GMT 0)
The Israel connection is likely a genetic one not temperature since Jewish people have a higher incidence of IBD.
Posted 11/1/2011 6:38 PM (GMT 0)
I take vitamin D3 because I live in Alberta (was once known to be the highest for crohn's but has since changed to Nova Scotia being the highest) and we have long winters in most of Canada, in AB we can go many days without much sun during the winter so I increase my D3 supplements during fall/winter and much of spring as well.

The incidence of IBD varies, just as it used to be at the top in Alberta and then Nova Scotia climbed over the AB stats. Because not enough is known about IBD, researchers won't rule anything out, even the CCFC doesn't rule diet out as a possible trigger for IBD. I don't know why many GI's will say "diet has no impact" when researchers won't even rule that it doesn't....much still needs to be learned about IBD, quite pathetic when you consider how long it's been around (over a hundred years).
Posted 11/1/2011 9:52 PM (GMT 0)
I live in cali and take vit d3. Even tho it's sunny a lot out here, i never really just find myself outside sitting in the sun, I really don't even like being in the sun. Only if i'm doing yard work or smoking a cig hah.
Posted 11/1/2011 10:01 PM (GMT 0)
OMG, I wish I culd live in California, I hate being cold, I hate snow and ice and winter weather in general....I envy you so much Cadillac Lover...Hate the cold Canadian winters, they last way too long :(
Posted 11/1/2011 11:17 PM (GMT 0)
I've lived in SC for 2 years now for college, excessively tanned, but as a senior I finally stopped obsessing and am still naturally tan and get sun, originally from a northern state. Who knows, I'm sure Vitamin D is great regardless.
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