Well there's a side effect of caring for Mum at home that my sister and I hadn't considered - Vitamin D deficiency!
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Vitamin D deficiency is quite rare. Most people over-estimate how much sunshine you need - basically in the summer months twenty minutes twice weekly exposing the vare face and forearms are sufficient. The twenty minutes can be in short sessions and this helps to avoid the increased risk of skin cancer caused by solar ultraviolet.
These times can be even shorter if greater areas os skin are exposed. Sunscreens block the UV that stimulates D production so it is a question of unprotected exposure but only for short periods.
Simply walking to and from the shops a couple of times a week with a short-sleeved top is probably enough.
This in only an average, very fair caucasian people can make do with less but black people can need more.
You can also get a good amount of D from oily fish (which are recommended for many reasons), also many cereals and powdered milks contain D supplements.
Generally speaking I think tablet supplements are a waste of time and money, unless advised by a doctor to address a known deficiency. The body can store excess amounts of certain fat-soluble vitamins, but on the whole, any vitamin or mineral in excess or requirements is excreted. Many people taking the tablets are literally flushing money down the toilet
So, if you eat an appropriate diet and you get adequate sunlight what other factors cause a deficit in vitamin D?
Do you have to have direct exposure to sunlight? My mum cannot leave the house because of poor mobility. She sits by a large bay window so is getting light stimulation, but through glass. She's only been out twice in the last 6 months, by ambulance transport and the men had to carry her out because she can't walk down steps.
We hope to get a ramp built for her wheelchair but it might not happen until the autumn because I haven't got Guardianship and this is local authority grant aided works that requires either her signature or that of a Guardian. Should we be sitting her in her wheelchair with the front door open for a couple of short sessions of direct sunlight every week?
So, if you eat an appropriate diet and you get adequate sunlight what other factors cause a deficit in vitamin D?