The Vitamin D Dictate

This is a pretty big subject, and I know I'm not going to be able to share all perspectives and research. Nor do I claim to be a nutritionist, doctor or homeopath. What I will do is share with you my own research, my observations and the results from experimenting with my machine.

So let's start with some basics.

One of the lovely (sarcasm) attributes of SAD is depression.
Those affected by SAD tend to have the low (depressive) cycle in the winter.
Winter tends to be when most people tend to stay indoors. (because it's cold, often gloomy AND if your depressed one REALLY doesn't want to go out...anywhere)
Vitamin D, the sunshine vitamin, has be shown to have a relationship with depression.


Years ago (5 to be exact) a friend whose father is very, very smart on all things animal, vegetable and mineral suggested that I start taking Vitamin D in the winter.  "It'll help", he said.
So I did.  and it does, says I.

Now this is where I may get some flack but I'll explain what I know to be true  - and try and provide links for my reasoning.

I take anywhere between 4000 and 5000IU of Vitamin D  a day. Yup per day.

RDA is 600IU for anyone 9 years or older.  The Upper Limit is 4000IU per day

Age	Daily Vitamin D, in IUs
	AI	EAR	RDA	UL
0-6 Mths	400	-	-	1000
6-12 Mths	400	-	-	1500
1-3 Yrs	-	400	600	2500
4-8 Yrs	-	400	600	3000
9-69 Yrs	-	400	600	4000
> 70 Yrs	-	400	800	4000

Canada and therefore those who live here doesn't actually get enough winter 'sunlight' days to produce even the RDA of Vitamin D - so a regular supplement is advised.  

And the short version of my story for today is that it seems you can't have too much. Well, it would take A LOT (10,000IU+) to have too much. So I take the Upper limit and sometimes even a little more pending what my social habits have been up to (aka drinking) as it appears alcohol consumption actually pulls Vitamin D out of your system in order to be metabolized.  (This is an important bit of information that I'll get back to)  I should mention, that I did notice a weird feelings in my eyes/eyelids when I took more than 6000IU 3 or 4 days in a row, but the weird eye stuff went away as soon as returned to 4000IU. *shrugs* could be coincidence but I doubt it.

Needless to say as soon as I get those aforementioned mushroom cravings - I start taking my Vitamin D, religiously.
It helps.
A lot.
Lives and friendships have been saved because of it.
And I notice a big difference when I don't take it.

Not to mention Vitamin D seems to have all kinds of extra advantages!

See what Dr Oz, has to say.