Vitamin D deficiency in pregnancy is linked to autism traits in the child • Hacker News Board

Re: Vitamin D deficiency in pregnancy is linked to autism traits in the child

#51

Post by Nomentatus » Thu, Dec 15, 2016, 6:07 PM UTC

Nomentatus wrote: post #50

"New research states that 330,000 lives could be saved by optimizing vitamin D levels through sun exposure.[1] That compares to 450,000 deaths linked to tobacco. This is to be expected, since a Swedish study demonstrated that over a 20- year period, women who avoided the sun were TWICE AS LIKELY TO DIE OF ANY CAUSE, as women who were sun-seekers,and the researchers stated the following: “Nonsmokers who avoided sun ex…

So why aren't we replacing window glass (especially in hospitals!) with UV transmitting OP4 plastics?

Re: Vitamin D deficiency in pregnancy is linked to autism traits in the child

#52

Post by jcoffland » Thu, Dec 15, 2016, 7:22 PM UTC

jryan49 wrote: post #24

jcoffland wrote: post #21

> We would not recommend more sun exposure, because of the increased risk of skin cancer. Broad spectrum lamps could be useful here. Exercising your body's natural ability to produce vitamin D seems like a good idea. There are also other well documented psychological benefits to controlled fullspectrum light exposure. * http://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/seasonal-affective-disord... * https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc…

I though vitamin D was produced via UVB rays? How would a lamp without UV allow the body to produce vitamin d?

https://www.amazon.com/s?field-keywords=uvb

Re: Vitamin D deficiency in pregnancy is linked to autism traits in the child

#53

Post by nnyms » Mon, Dec 19, 2016, 10:09 AM UTC

Nomentatus wrote: post #49

Neliquat wrote: post #3

To extrapolate a bit too far; Basement dwellers beget basement dwellers. Serious thought: Can these traits be considered (de)evolutionary after 2 generations? Will more wealthy bloodlines become better due to improved diet and care? Do we need to start incentivising going outside more often? Or just scale back the demonization of sunlight exposure? Or do we just start a social program mailing out sunlamps as a preven…

I'm not sure that mentioning epigenetics, etc, is really going "too far." It's not unlikely, and epigenetics isn't exactly speculative science anymore. Yes, the comment is flip, and eschews the proper (but quite recent) scientific terms but it is very closely aligned with the science. There's no shortage of evidence of better longevity for the privileged, and better health, for example, although better nutrition from…

I am from Southern India (typically darker skin) and have noticed 6 cases of ASD (non-verbal and very basic or non-existent social interaction) amongst friends and relatives. 3 of these cases come from the same family (mine) and the other 3 are unrelated. All 6 were born either in the US or UK. All 4 families don't have previous occurrence of ASD or similar symptoms (non-verbal or awkward social skills would be easy to pick up).

Since reading/experiencing a family member with ASD, I do see some ASD characteristics and behaviors in some other family members residing in India but they somehow have been able to overcome that and lead a typical life. Can't explain why there aren't more severe cases (in which case, they would've been reported) and if more sunlight or exposure to a lot more people/social situations is helping correct it.

There was an Indian news article that reported a higher incidence of ASD in NRIs (non-resident Indians). With Desk jobs becoming more prevalent, Vitamin D deficiency is showing up in India as well. Given my small #samples, it does seem like something is triggering more severe ASD in people with dark-skin in countries with less sunlight. Increase in incidences of ASD, can be attributed to its broadened definition but there seem to be other minor reasons (Vitamin D being one) which need more research instead of dismissal. Current incidence levels of 1 in 68 (boys - 1 in 42, girls - 1 in 189) is plain crazy and needs more attention.