Vitamin D Study

[GreatShapeCo]

I wanted to let anyone interested know that I am taking part in the grassrootshealth.net vitamin d study.

I sent in my first set of tests and got my results back and I am above the normal range.

My salon is in the basement of a hotel, I have no windows and I work from 10-7 daily, which limits my daytime light exposure. I tan twice a week for 15 minutes and take NO supplementation of any kind.

Date of Test 05/21/2009
D2 (ng/mL) 0
D3 (ng/mL) 62

Total (ng/mL) 62

LaboratoryRef Range 32-100 ng/mL

"The Total, per our Scientists' Call to Action, should be between 40-60 ng/ml for best overall health. If you are in that range, keep up the good work! If not, a couple of things to keep in mind:
Vitamin D sources are primarily sun and, for most people, supplements. If you choose to supplement, the general expectation is that for every 1000 IU of vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol), you will raise your TOTAL vitamin D level by 10 ng/ml. 2000 IU/day is the 'No Adverse Effect Level' established in 1997 by the National Academy of Science. The observed toxicity levels started at 200 ng/ml per J. Hathcock, Am J. Clin Nutr. 2007;85:6-18.
We will be sending out a new email/questionnaire regarding health status every 6 months to all our project participants to follow up on progress. If you make changes to your intake of vitamin D, this will allow you to track the effect of that on your serum level (with the blood spot test) as well as monitor your overall health.
GrassrootsHealth is solely providing information and is not acting as your healthcare provider. Please talk with your healthcare provider about what is best for you."

[eileen]

That is awesome. I keep wondering if they will take a group of salon owners and run health statistics on them as well.

[agk453]

I joined too. Result came back: 81. Thanks to quick tans once or twice per week (ah, the perks of ownership) plus 2000IU VitD3 per day. Now I'll drop the supplements and see what happens on the next test - is the tanning enough to hold the levels now that they're (way!) up there? Due for a physical next month; I'll have my (anti-tanning) doc test for D levels as a part of the exam. That'll be after a month off the supplements so should be interesting to see the result ...

They need lots more volunteers, folks - sign up! I'm thinking of offering free weeks to customers who get tested and bring in results, just to get people interested and involved. It'll help offset the $40 test cost to them, and I think it increase my clientele as new people see the benefits of tanning beyond just the colour.

[sparky]

My test results came back last week.

66 ng/ml of D3.

They do ask sunbathing questions as follows:

5. Describe your usual clothing when outdoors in the sun near noon during each season during the past 12 months.

OUTDOOR April-June July-September October-December January-March Shorts and no or very brief top with shoulders exposed Shorts and T-shirt or similar top Shorts and long sleeves Long pants and T-shirt or similar top Long pants and long sleeves

6. Describe your usual use of sunscreen when outdoors in the sun near noon during each season during the past 12 months.

April-June July-September October-December January-March I almost never used sunscreen I used it occasionally (5-20% of the time) I used it somewhat regularly (20-50% of the time) I used it most of the time (50-80% of the time) I used it almost all of the time (80-95% of the time) I used it all the time (95-100%)

7. During the past 12 months, what SPF sunscreen did you usually use? SPF sunscreen level 4 8 10 15 20 30 40 50 60+ None Don't Know

8. During the past 6 months, I have not used indoor tanning equipment I have received UV exposure from indoor tanning just a few times (1-5 times in six months) I have received UV exposure from indoor tanning regularly (1-3 tanning visits a week on average)

[Don]

66 ng/mL = 165 nmol/L which is very good. You deserve a gold star!