Earlier quoted context omitted.
While I find your comment enjoyably pithy, in the case of vitamin D, many humans are currently living at latitudes which they are not suited to (skin being too dark to generate enough vitamin D given the insolation), and eating diets which do not provide them with sufficient amounts of it (the carnivore diets of Inuits and similar groups being a good contrast).
It’s criminal that the US sent Somalian refuges to live in Minnesota. Those are some seriously brown people in the land of no vitamin D. Pretty big population in Seattle as well, which is worse due to cloud cover.
Vitamin D reduces incidence and duration of colds in those with low levels
181–190 of 241 posts
Re: Vitamin D reduces incidence and duration of colds in those with low levels
#182Earlier quoted context omitted.
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Wanting to agree with a study’s conclusions and so ignoring its weaknesses and red flags is bad scientific practice, further reinforcing the comment questioning the value of this publication
Re: Vitamin D reduces incidence and duration of colds in those with low levels
#183Earlier quoted context omitted.
My bullshit meter redlined as well. > Incidence of ARIs was documented through monthly follow-up visits and self-reported symptom diaries validated by physician assessment. This is basically impossible to accomplish for 386 participants who aren't in some form of captivity (e.g. incarcerated, institutionalized, in the military, or a boarding school). Nobody cares enough to maintain a "self-reported symptoms diary" an…
> (e.g. incarcerated, institutionalized, in the military, or a boarding school). That's a pretty big list. Add Retirement communities and your pool increases even more. Add to that the fact that this is India where the population is at least 5x bigger and much more concentrated..
Regardless, you can get a lot of data, but of it is from people who have other significant differences in lifestyle from the average person and so it is questionable how it applies. Military gets more physical fitness (we already know most of us need more). Boarding school implies young - children or just older, and so while not useful there are differences related to that to control for (military as well, unless you can get officers who are older thus allowing controlling for age).
Re: Vitamin D reduces incidence and duration of colds in those with low levels
#184I personally found that taking vitamin D regularly dramatically reduced how many colds I got (10 in 2024 vs. 1 in 2025). I take 2,000 IU per day, typically without a meal.
> typically without a meal any reason why? it's fat soluble and absorbs much better if taken with a meal.
Re: Vitamin D reduces incidence and duration of colds in those with low levels
#185Earlier quoted context omitted.
> It is in fact (by personal experience) essential for the health You might be right, but this study doesn't show that because it's a genuinely bad study. Someone serious should do a real study on it.
This was meant for Gwerbret (but he deleted the comment). Now is to whom may concern :) Standing by your words you think this paper is shady and you are questioning the work and results behind it. Moreover your comment somehow is on the very top it misleading the users or at least ridiculing the paper. Answering to you: It is indeed very much connected to the LEVELS of Vit D not the absence of it. You fail to underst…
I just went out and did a study myself. But I got 10,000 people, and 100% of the participants gave usable data, with a full record of every action taken, and every possible result. My study shows with 99.99% confidence that vit D is actually _bad_ for you. I hope you will congratulate my positive result (saving people from the dangerous effects of vit D !!) Or at the very least, congratulate me for my effort.
Obviously I completely fabricated that. Do you see how _claiming_ something doesn't mean it's true? Can you see the many red flags in my paragraph above? The other posters are pointing out similar red flags in the main article that's been shared.
Re: Vitamin D reduces incidence and duration of colds in those with low levels
#186Re: Vitamin D reduces incidence and duration of colds in those with low levels
#187Earlier quoted context omitted.
I don't agree. As with everything, it requires care. Taking a multivitamin and thinking you're good to go is delusional.
For most people just eating a good balanced diet and they are good to go. There are a few with genetic/biological issues and they need more - ask your doctor. Vitamin D is one that modern lifestyles likely don't get enough of and so probably worth it - again talk to your doctor.
Re: Vitamin D reduces incidence and duration of colds in those with low levels
#188Earlier quoted context omitted.
It’s criminal that the US sent Somalian refuges to live in Minnesota. Those are some seriously brown people in the land of no vitamin D. Pretty big population in Seattle as well, which is worse due to cloud cover.
It's only criminal if they aren't provided with the education/information they need to live healthy lives (which is possible with the right diet/supplements).
Re: Vitamin D reduces incidence and duration of colds in those with low levels
#189Earlier quoted context omitted.
> (e.g. incarcerated, institutionalized, in the military, or a boarding school). That's a pretty big list. Add Retirement communities and your pool increases even more. Add to that the fact that this is India where the population is at least 5x bigger and much more concentrated..
Most retirement communities don't have that much supervision. Regardless, you can get a lot of data, but of it is from people who have other significant differences in lifestyle from the average person and so it is questionable how it applies. Military gets more physical fitness (we already know most of us need more). Boarding school implies young - children or just older, and so while not useful there are difference…
Retirement communities in India are relatively new. Most older folks get taken care of at home by domestic staff, which, given India's demographics, are incredibly cheap and thus plentiful.
Re: Vitamin D reduces incidence and duration of colds in those with low levels
#190Earlier quoted context omitted.
It's only criminal if they aren't provided with the education/information they need to live healthy lives (which is possible with the right diet/supplements).
Dark skinned people do not produce enough vitamin D in northern latitudes because of melanin. If you’re black and in Minnesota you probably need supplementation.